Guitar Lessons in Avondale, AZ

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin

I do my best to tailor my style to each students specific needs and goals. In general, I am a very laidback and patient teacher. My students recieve clear and achievable goals at the end of each of their lessons to work on while they are practicing during the week. This enables students to be able to really see their own progress as the practice. I also believe in music lessons being an enjoyable experience for students so I include students in making the decision for what pieces they would like to learn. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

With young students, I allow myself to be a bit more comprehensive in that I can start from the very basics from the beginning and even come up with simple games with rhythm, basic ear training and reading notation. The big challenge with young players is the actual act of physically playing the guitar and I encourage parents to invest in a quality instrument that is easy to play. I try and get my older children and teenagers to try and play as early as possible to develop a passion for the instrument, but not before building an understanding of the basics. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Banjo Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am passionate about students not only exploring musical styles but really understanding every aspect of the music they are learning, including the history of the musical style, the composers and the more well known performers. It is important to me that each student comprehends the details of each new piece they learn including, the specific fingering required, the details of the rhythms, dynamics and composer's directions and markings. I also encourage every student to explore various musical styles, even when they claim to have a special favorite, this way their music world is expanded. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Trumpet Bass Guitar

I've been teaching since 2005:  Privately with students in their home or my studio, with brick-and-mortar studios, and with online lessons services (like Musika).  It's most important that my students have fun learning their instrument, but I also emphasize daily practice and work on the fundamentals of whichever instrument he or she is learning.  After all, if you don't work on the fundamentals, then you won't be able to play your instrument any better. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Keyboard Electric Guitar

I generally like to start my beginning students with lesson plans from the book" The Secrets of playing Piano by Ear" by Jermaine Griggs. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. I try to focus on what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lesson fresh and FUN! Read More

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

High school students will work out of the Blue Standards of Excellence book for their freshman and sophomore year; along with a more advanced packet of warm up and scale exercises that I received from the ASU clarinet studio and my current clarinet professor Jeff Quamo. Junior year and senior year students will be expected to know at least 80% of the circle of 5ths and they'll begin to start playing etudes out of the Rose Etude book along with studying farther into the warm-up and practice packet. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Conga Latin Percussion

I write all my own lesson materials focusing on what the student needs to know to play, understand, and enjoy music to achieve their goals. I have used several method books in the past but find them all limited or focused on styles or technique that is not what the student wants or needs to learn. I can teach from any established method if that is preferred, but instead enjoy challenging the student to understand what music is and how music is played on their chosen instrument, not just to read. Read More