Guitar Lessons in Briarcliff, WA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe any student regardless of age has to learn the three fundamentals pillars of music to truly learn an instrument. Those foundations are: Harmony, rhythm, and melody. The way in which I go about teaching them or reinforcing them depends on the age, musical interest, and skill. Usually kids benefit the most from learning their favorite melodies, how to read music, and how to play some chords to play their favorite songs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Harmonica Ukulele Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

 It will be my pleasure to work with you. *SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO MISS ALLIE ON PIANO! Allie has shown an exceeding amount of progress with each lesson. I am proud to call her my student. She is always prepared, and eager to show me her progress for the week. I am delightfully pleased to see how well she has applied our preceding lesson to her week's practice. Allie is quick to fix a mistake. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Music and teaching have always been an essential part of my life: This was true as a teenager and student, when I worked in dance music bands, played in a classical guitar duo, performed in a Rock musical or taught classical guitar and electric bass. This was true when I taught literature, philosophy and mathematics as a middle and high school teacher. It's still true today, when I play Jazz guitar in various Seattle based Jazz bands, or write and produce songs and film tracks. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums

No single approach works with every student when teaching drums. There are simply too many styles and methods to choose from. But when working with beginners, I tend to focus mostly on developing a good internal sense of rhythm and good listening skills. Then if the student wishes, we may specialize in classical, jazz, rock, latin, or whatever style the student is interested in. There are many excelent published methods to choose from and I occasionally assign etudes and excersizes of my own. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have a very laidback, low-pressure approach - if you didn't practice, it's not the end of the world! I think back to my own days of taking lessons and remember how much more I improved in this type of environment, and how much more I loved the process. The difference between these approaches can be night and day, both in results and morale out of the student (which, again, I know from experience as a teacher, but also from my experience as a student). Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar

For students who have played an instrument prior to our lessons, I try and shape a curriculum entirely based upon the specific goals of the student, and I rarely use text books although I use a lot of exercises and educational material when appropriate.  I feel learning to play and transcribe songs and solos to increase a students self reliance and confidence is my most important job.  Most students come to me looking for structure so I try and provide a clear path to their goals. Read More