Guitar Lessons in Downtown, AZ

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

For beginning students, I would like to start with knowing exactly where they are at with guitar; how to hold it, how to tune it, how strum it. Once the student understands those fundamentals, I like to start on open chords with easy fingerings (usually learning chords is very exciting since you can hear what you are accomplishing). With that, I would like to get to know the student and understand what the student wants out of the lessons; what they like to listen to, what they want to learn, what is difficult for them, etc. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Clarinet Synthesizer Ukulele Recorder Euphonium Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I feel like I've been a musician my whole life, starting when I was about 8 or 9 years old and singing in my first Barbershop Quartet and later joining the Chorus. My voice has been my main instrument and I have had the pleasure and challenge of singing in choruses and lead roles in musicals and operas, as well as many solos in major choral works, like the Bach Mass and Mozart's Requiem as well as works by Benjamin Britten. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Trumpet Bass Guitar

Hello! I'm a professional, full-time musician.  I studied music and performed through high school and college. Professionally I've been performing for over 30 years, and teaching music privately for over 15 years.  I perform primarily in Arizona, but have performed elsewhere in the U.S., and in Mexico as well. As a teacher, my primary goal is to pass on love of music by helping you learn whichever instrument you choose. I'll help you learn ways to strengthen and enhance your skills, and even help you prepare for performance if you wish. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I like the the traditional music theory method of learning and how it utilizes a musical environment, it's not just about guitar it's about absorbing musical harmonies and finding where it is your piece will fit. Personally, I know that a good guitarist can be trained but great guitarist have a thirst for it. Everybody is going to mess up so their is no sense in talking about how bad or how good someone is. 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: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Conga Latin Percussion

I have a very personal and relaxed way of teaching that helps each student enjoy and advance on their chosen instrument at their pace. I prefer 60 minute sessions to have the time to fully evaluate and advance from the previous lesson and to move on to new material. I use the student's preferred style of music to teach them how to play, and expand their styles and technique from there. Read More