Guitar Lessons in Hartwood, VA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am an instructor with a passion for learning, performing and teaching music. I fully enjoy working with students who want to learn how to play guitar, bass, ukulele because I like to inspire and foster my love of music and pass it along to others. While I have an advanced educational background in humanities disciplines, I am mostly self-educated in music. It's a lifelong learning experience of more than 40 years that has led me to perform in local pop, rock, country and jazz groups and to teach music as a way to share my gifts and talents. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice

- As a foundation principle of the Functional Voice Method communication is essential. There should be a very open and honest dialog between teacher and student. You can, and I encourage my students to ask, propose and work together. - Because posture, movement and breathe have such a mutual influence; we usually need some work or excercise regarding the body (movements envolving legs, arms, walking, jumping and a large etcetera). - Having fun while training is extremely important to me. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

The most satisfying moment as a teacher is when a student finally "gets it", and for students, I find that lessons are the most fun when the student feels capable and not overwhelmed. I like to challenge my students and encourage them to exceed even their own expectations of their abilities. With this in mind, my overall teaching philosophy emphasizes gaining technical mastery over the student's chosen instrument, strong music reading and theory skills, along with creativity and improvisation to turn them into well rounded players who can hold their own in just about any music setting from the stage to the studio. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Keyboard

Adult students I have taught typically want to learn to do two things: 1) accompany themselves on an instrument while singing a popular song or 2) learn to play with others ... whether that be a jam session during a jazz set ... or playing behind someone else that is singing or playing a lead instrument. For these adult learners I lean toward teaching chords, arpeggios and scales. Important: I suggest that a student only practice 15 to 20 minutes a day ... whatever amount of time it takes to cover the lesson. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Harmonica Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Work on picking and speed and most importantly touch and feel. Learn to play in rhythm, with a metronome. Work on Finger picking as well, learn to use all 5 fingers on your right hand. or use the pick and 3 fingers, with me you WILL use your pinky or little finger, on both hands. Learn to read song charts, and notation and tab. Learn to work on speed, strength, stamina, play songs you like all the way from beginning to end. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My background is partly as a local performer, and partly as a long-time music teacher. Teaching has allowed me to make thousands of meaningful connections with my students, both as a mentor and instructor, and has given my life purpose and meaning for over 15 years. Music in general has also allowed me to travel across the country, and given me the opportunity to experience the wonderful music of talented musicians both young and old, and has instilled in me a passion to put as much of that into the world as possible. Read More