Guitar Lessons in Rainier Valley, WA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

The first half of each of my lessons willaddress the basics of music theory(i.e. rudiments, scales, etc.) and technique. The second half of each lesson is about having fun! We will digdeeper into the musicmy student isinterested in,consideringthe songs from a musician's point of view. In dissecting the song we will learn about phrasing, feel, meter, melody, chord analysis, commonalitiesamong styles and the history behind the music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Euphonium Tuba

My primary goal as an instructor as well as a performer is to create a life long passion for music and personal growth within each of my students, and making sure that each student enjoys and looks forward to their lessons each week is intregal to this goal. Whether an adult, child, beginner, or advanced, realizing the students motivation and personal goals for each lesson is important to tailoring lessons to each persons unique abilities and preferences. Read More

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

For just about any instrument, a key approach of mine is to teach students how to play the songs they love - and then the musical building blocks that make up said songs. Then, I teach the rudiments, patterns, and music theory behind those building blocks, and teach the students to be able to figure this all out on their own in the future through ear-training. I tend to like the Essential Elements series for band instruments, the Alfred books for piano and guitar, the Real Book for a wide variety of jazz repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

My love has always been rock guitar so that’s what you’ll get with me; rock and roll, hard rock, country rock, rockabilly… you get the idea. Beginners need to learn to crawl before they can rock but everything learned will be for a definite purpose and not just because that’s how it’s always been done. Intermediate students will learn the guitar parts from a variety of songs in order to develop manual dexterity and a develop a basis for learning theory. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

When they are more serious, I try to establish a 45 minute practice regiment that the student should do everyday that can range from certain warm ups, scales and even sight reading if the student is inclined to dive into that musical world. The key element to having the discipline to do so is by having and fun and enjoying this so it's important that nor the teacher nor the student lose sight of that during their lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

My method is to help students play the music they want to play, whether it's Miles Davis or the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I like to start my lessons by working on a song of the students choice to spark their interest. From there, I move to focusing on the students needs technically, rhythmically and theoretically. Additionally, I have my students practice improvisation, in some capacity, at each lesson. I want my students to feel comfortably making music on the fly and I set up low stakes environments for them to hone this skill. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Ukulele Recorder Orchestral Percussion Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I'm a passionate music educator with considerable experience as a teacher and performer. I graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2005 where I studied music education with an emphasis on trombone. Since graduation, I have been fortunate to have many opportunities to conduct, perform, and teach music. I play a many different instruments and perform many different genres and styles. Whether it be conducting student ensembles, performing in small clubs, or singing with a chorus at Carnegie Hall, many of my best life experiences have been because of music and I want to guide my students toward their own great musical experiences. Read More