Guitar Lessons in Lenexa, KS

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

The method books I use are Hals Leonard Books 12, Alfreds Kids Guitar course for ages 5 up, Mel Bay method books 12, Alfreds Book 1 for Chords. For the more advanced student I use the Berklee Guitar Method by William Levitz. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Harmonica Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began playing guitar when I was 15, and it became an immediate obsession. Starting with rock and roll with bands like Nirvana and Sublime, I garnered a deep love for classic rock, specifically the bands Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and the Doors among many others. Early on, it became apparent that I wanted to pursue a career in music, and while still in high school, I began learning classical guitar, and jazz. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer

I have been fortunate to study under some remarkable professors as well as musicians. There are three individuals in particular that I will never forget. They changed my life. Their determination, work ethic, pure genius and passion for what they do will always stick with me. They raised my bar as a musician and set the bar for my teaching. As a teacher I strive to leave the same imprint on others that they left on me. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass Classical Guitar

I enjoy using popular method books designed to help develop technique at the student's specific level. I also particularly enjoy creating my own exercises that may be more beneficial to a student's specific technique development. Being a bass/rhythm guitarist, I place a lot of value on tempo and rhythm accuracy, and other key elements to being able to play successfully with others. I believe technique development to be of vital importance and approach it on a student by student basis - no two students have exactly the same lesson plan! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Organ Ukulele Recorder Keyboard Djembe

For beginner's, I do typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements books. For intermediate, I'll evaluate what materials they've used thus far in their lessons and go from there. If someone is familiar with a set of books in a positive way, there's no reason to change the books they're using. I do believe, however, there is profit in a variety of repertoire, so a diverse lesson is key. I have learned from experience that simply learning one genre (classical, jazz, showtunes) is less desirable than having a familiar ear to multiple styles. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Ukulele Music

My teaching style is a little eclectic. I like explaining everything I do because students should know why they're doing certain things. I work with each student to figure out why they're taking voice lessons and figure out accomplishments that they want to achieve. I'm tired of voice teachers only teaching classical music, especially when a student says they want something different. Classical music is important, especially in the music sphere, but singing and playing are not all about that. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Hey, John; how did you learn to play the guitar? The short answer is, Johnny Cash taught me how to write songs and Neil Young taught me how to play the guitar. But actually, there is much more. Alan Bing the Music King in St Joseph Missouri was my first band teacher from fifth through eighth grade. He was awesome! I learned much about performance and being an artist from him. Read More