Guitar Lessons in Avondale, AZ

Instruments: Guitar

My passion is playing guitar, listening to music, and teaching music. I graduated from Arizona Conservatory for the Arts and Academics in 2015, and then graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor's Degree for Music Performance (Emphasis in Guitar). I have been in many bands, and have shared the stage at Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding with Alice Cooper, Motley Crue, KISS, and others. I have studied classical guitar for many years, and have been performing rock and blues since I can remember. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My methods, of course, depend on the student but I usually start using the same materials that I started with. That combined with other curricula such as Rock School and others, I am able to identify which path will be best for the student. Teaching the student one of their favorite songs towards the beginning always helps the student get the fire and passion they need to become a guitar master. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Banjo Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I teach out of several methods, depending on the desires and needs of each individual student. I do make sure all students have a basic understanding of note reading, rhythm, chord building, right hand techniques and various styles. We learn to strum, play arpeggios and improvise...everything the student needs to feel comfortable playing and performing. I encourage participation in recitals and make times available on a monthly basis for students to explore performance in a non-competitive, encouraging atmosphere. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium Mallet Percussion Music Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I'm a passionate and curious musician. I'm self-taught in the styles of classical and jazz from when I picked up the clarinet I found at a Salvation Army at the age of 10. I taught myself until I started college and studied with Kelly Lake, Stephanie Gardner, Jeff Quamo and Cris Inguanti at NAU. While working toward receiving my Masters in Clarinet performance at NAU, I taught music theory and aural perception at the undergraduate level. In addition to teaching I've had two pieces written and recorded for me along with a couple tracks on a comedian's recent albums. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Trumpet Bass Guitar

For all students, I teach them exercises to strenghten their fundamentals and skills in the given instrument, and each lesson we practice the exercises to focus on improving their sound production, pitch finding, placement, and more.  We also learn songs that both the student and I choose and prepare for performance (when necessary).  Here are the books I work from for each instrument, but please note that I don't necessarily use these for every student, only when appropriate: GUITAR:  Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method (books 1 through 3) VOICE:  Master Vocal Exercises by Horatio Connell, and Sightsinging (Hal Leonard) BASS GUITAR:  Bass Method, (Hal Leonard, books 1 through 3) TRUMPET:  Essential Elements 2000, (Hal Leonard, books 1 through 3) Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard

I believe I am a friendly guy at heart, so I tend to be friendly with the students. There are times where I have to tell them, for example, "You haven't been practicing.". But I try my best to do that in love while encouraging them when I see even the smallest improvement. I feel as though the key is to play as much as possible. That can be hard to do when you feel like you don't know how to play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Cello Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Double Bass Music Keyboard Djembe

Throughout the 8 12 years that I have been teaching I have been learning a lot about many different methods and teaching styles. I always had thought that what I was being taught could have been taught in a more natural and more efficient way. I have borrowed many of my ideas from some of the greatest teachers in history and believe the most in the bel canto method created but David Jacobsen who is an alumni of the Curtis Institute of Music, the greatest school of music in the world. Read More