Guitar Lessons in Fetters Hot Springs, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet

The most rewarding thing for me in teaching is learning how to create with my student. Finding the best tools for growth with the student and accessing them is the crucial component to how I teach. Gaining trust, confidence, and joy in lessons produces the highest and most sustainable growth and development of the technique, sound, and musicality of the growing musician. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I use a variety of books, recordings, and online resources for all levels- transcriptions of classicstylesand newer artists , scale and chordreference books, solo pieces for different genres,beginning guitarmethods bytraditional publishers such as Hal Leonard and Warner Bros. plus newer books. Online video and audio content andrecording software such as garageband arealso valuable resources to work with.Learning to read and write music opens up great potential for communication and creativity- theory and improvisation are other topics that I like to teach. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

All of my lessons are built around songs to teach technique and I add materials to teach theory and musicianship if the student wants and needs it. I always interview each student to find out their interests and desires and and build a custom curriculum eight lessons at a time to insure satisfaction and success on the students terms. I have student assessments at the end of each eight lessons block to make sure that the student knows how they have improved and where they need more work. Read More

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 Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students I prefer to use Mathew Hinsley's method "Guitar for Young People". All of the peers that I grew to admire growing up with guitar used this method and became very good very quickly. Once the student has outgrown this method of introducing guitar I like to dive into what interests them, any style of music, and anything that will push their passion for learning guitar. The first and foremost thing for students is allowing them to grow with the guitar, and anything that might help with that is something I'll do. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

My beliefs are very clear in regards to learning and the dissemination of information “ It is impossible to learn effectively in a bubble” learning requires interaction with all forms of life and keeping an open mind. As a teacher I also believe that “in order to teach you must be a student of and for life,” This belief has allowed me to be a good listener and a practitioner of setting new goals and creating new paths with my students  regardless of their particular backgrounds, disabilities, cultures or religions. Read More