Guitar Lessons in Brisbane, CA

Instruments: Guitar

My biggest satisfaction when I teach is seeing my students getting better and maintaining their interest, passion, and desire. Once in a while I like to push them or tell them to push themselves, find new challenges, and dare a little more. New challenges bring new goals, and new goals make them keep their eagerness to learn. Since my key point is "be open-minded", I always try to make their interest and needs parallel with my instructions. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

My primary goal as a teacher is to develop a love of music within the students. I'm more interested in developing Artists than I am developing "Performers". Perfection is not something that I aspire to as an Artist. Sometimes perfection, and striving for impeccable technique can become on of the biggest hinderances for a Musician to truly embody the stage, and show their passion. While I do have a focus on technique, I tend to find it within the student through their artistry, and I try to allow for that artistry to be the catalyst. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always say that rhythm is more important than the notes. Play the right rhythm and the notes will come instead of playing every right note while sacrificing rhythm. I encourage students to make their mistakes loud, proud, and in rhythm so everyone has a better idea of what needs to be worked on most. I also emphasize isolating parts to practice and working backwards. Example: play the last two bars of the song until comfortable with it, now play the last 4 bars, last 6, last 8...etc., whole song. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

I have been teaching privately since undergraduate college days. In addition to private lessons on guitar and piano, I have facilitated group workshops, directed ensembles, and tutored reading comprehension in some Oakland public schools. It's a profound joy to see young children have their first musical experiences as well as to see the fire of music be rekindled in those who have put an instrument down and have decided to pick it up once again. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

I have been teaching for over 20 years. I have been teaching a guitar class at UCSC for 8 years. I have also taught group classes through the City of Santa Cruz Parks Rec Department and at Cypress High School. I have also given private lessons on guitar, bass, mandolin, drums and piano. I have also been a guest lecturer at two music classes at UCSC (Music Business and Music of the Grateful Dead). Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Ukulele Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style flows from my teaching philosophy: Whole-heatedly meet a student where they are, and THEN, respectfully lead them to where you as the educator know that they need to go...Establishing a true RELATIONSHIP with a student, where they know that you have THEIR best interests in mind is absolutely fundamental. As in any relationship, trust and respect are essential, and establishing a firm foundation in those areas should be just as important as the academic and skill development aspects of teaching. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I prefer to let the student's personality and general skill level dictate the pace and style in which I teach. The greatest detriment to a student's progress is a lack of interest, so I try to give the students as much say as possible when deciding what piece of music they will be learning. Every student develops their skills at their own pace, so my key concern is keeping the students motivated and interested in everything we do during our lessons. Read More