Guitar Lessons in Half Moon Bay, CA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

When I first meet a student I ask them to tell me what kinds of music they love to listen to and what strikes a chord in them about this particular music. Then I assess their level, if they have played for awhile. If they are a beginner, I start with correct posture, hand position, and elbow position as these are very important ergonomic considerations any of which can cause stress on the joints and additional tension in both the hands and wrists. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice

For voice, I like to start with making sure the placement is good and that the tone begin produced is nice and full. After that working on moving smoothly though notes while keeping the voice aligned, handling vowels and consonants, and gradually extending range. Repertoire is used to help support the lessons and gradually increases with the ability of the student. For guitar, in either the styles that use a flatpick or the finger-styles, I like to build a library of chords and progressions linked to an understanding of keys and scales (music theory). Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion

I have been teaching music since 2001. I was the music program director at Mission Hills Middle School and the guitar and conga teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Oakland. I have also been a music instructor with Star Power Music, COVA, Art and Soul Music Studios, Hayward Music Center and ALMA. I teach all levels of guitar and congas, as well as beginning piano, voice and drum set lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Organ Ukulele Electric Violin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

I always start a lesson with a new student by assessing their current skill level. If the student already has a certain curriculum they are working on, I usually have them pick up from where they left off so I can see where we're at. Taking things into consideration like intonation, posture, dynamics, form etc., I either assign a new curriculum or continue on. My lessons usually consist of 3 books: a scale book, an etude book, and a leveled song book like the Suzuki method. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

For beginner's in piano and guitar, I generally use the Alfred's and Mel Bay methods as starting places. In every situation, I tailor and personalize the curriculum to individual student needs; as students progress, I employ more and more personalized curriculum which reflects the research I have done into cognition and learning, and which maximizes the creative learning of the student. For more advanced students, I will challenge them in targeted domains, with customized exercises that focus upon their musical growth, with an emphasis on realizing their maximum potential. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. 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. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

My methods vary depending on the situation. I start by getting to know my students in an effort to learn their musical likes and dislikes only then can I design a lesson that will allow each student to get the best results. Of course, I always include the basics ie... sight reading, notation, hand positions and breathing but I think the most important aspect of music is focusing on the emotion and message in each note or phrase. Read More