Guitar Lessons in Alum Rock, CA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

For beginners, I typically focus on teaching straightforward open chords, along with scales and exercises to improve finger dexterity. Following that, I guide them in incorporating melodies or soloing over chords. We delve into strumming patterns and cover fundamental techniques for warming up. With intermediate players, my approach involves introducing chord inversions and delving into basic music theory. Topics include understanding how to stay in a key and identifying the diatonic chords within it. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For students who have more experience I have my own lesson plan for them. Usually by the time you reach a certain level, lets say intermediate, you know what you like to play,or listen to. I then figure out what you are into and then teach that. For instance if you are really into reggae, I have a developed lesson plan that has Reggae lessons 1-20. Beginning reggae to advanced!!! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet

I have been teaching music since high school, where I was the brass section leader. I began to teach and play guitar in high school as well. I have taught all ages, including small children as well as senior citizens. Teaching is always refreshing and challenging- every day is different! Every student has a unique perspective with his or her own learning style. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

When I first meet a student I ask them to tell me what kinds of music they love to listen to and what strikes a chord in them about this particular music. Then I assess their level, if they have played for awhile. If they are a beginner, I start with correct posture, hand position, and elbow position as these are very important ergonomic considerations any of which can cause stress on the joints and additional tension in both the hands and wrists. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Drums Ukulele Recorder Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I learn by doing and I believe that my students should play what inspires them! If it's classical, let's study Bach and Mozart together - if it's Latin, let's study Dave Valentin and Johnny Pacheco. I have always had a broad taste in music and I think it's wonderful when students bring me songs that inspire them. Let's work the chords out together and study the greats! I believe that the engaged student will be the successful student. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My experience is mostly with beginning students, so I take an easy-going approach. We will begin with fundamentals, either working out of one of my books, one of the student's, or with a different modality depending on the student's learning style. I will facilitate a fun, exciting environment in which the student can choose their path. Possible goals could be: learning your favorite song, memorizing scales, learning to read music, learning to solo, and anything else that pops into the student's head! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

I have for the past twenty-two years been working as a Music Educator, Administrator, Jazz composer and performer. The last eleven of those years have been in the San Francisco Bay area at Oakland School for the Arts, teaching and leading large jazz ensembles, orchestra, small groups and music theory classes for grades 6-12. As Chairman of the Instrumental Music Department, I was responsible for teaching and developing music curricula, developing new programs, recruiting and auditioning new students, presenting and speaking with incoming parent groups, writing and developing the school A-G requirements, and meeting with community schools and faculty to create meaningful collaborations. Read More