Guitar Lessons in Mechanicsville, MD

Instruments: Guitar

I am an acoustic percussive guitarist currently working in the greater Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. I have been teaching guitar almost as long as I've been playing guitar, starting with just friends and family but eventually moving on to support myself as a private instructor. I have apprenticed with UDC Jazz Band Guitarist Pete Muldoon and Matt Kelley (of the blues band "Big Boy Little"). I supported myself in highschool by working in DC's local guitarshop, which is where I started teaching my first students.  Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

It is great to see any individual move towards growing their abilities for self expression. Learning music can bring the best out of many facets of life, and yield a beautiful way to communicate. I see teaching as assisting someone on that path. To me a teacher should help encourage growth and be open to learning as well. Any student I have will be met with a smile and enthusiasm for their interests and goals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet French Horn Oboe Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students I start with basics: learning how to hold the instrument, put it together, etc. Then when that is solid we learn a few notes. From there we go to the Rubank books. At the same time, we start reading music that I find appropriate for them. For adults, it depends on what they want to learn. Popular songs or songs they request. But I also push for technical mastery of the instrument so I push for knowledge of scales and then keep pushing with more challenging/fun pieces. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style is integrative and interactive. I tend to write, record, and encourage local performances for my student base. I like for students and parents to have something to show for their efforts in music, whether it be a recording or performance. I tend to get my students more excited than most because I prioritize understanding my students’ taste in music. My past students have commented that this was their favorite part about our lessons, was the fact that we were playing music the student actually likes. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginner students who have never held an instrument or don't know anything about music we'll go over basic guitar fundamentals we'll talk about different types of guitars, how to hold the guitar in classical and folk style positions, how to press your fingers on the strings (because there is a way), body parts of the guitar, basic music concepts such as beat and rhythm, how to read music both standard and tabs, basic guitar exercises, and a few fun songs once the fundamentals have been practiced enough. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

For beginning students I try to start with the essentials. It is important for young children to become familiar with the instrument, the proper way to hold an instrument. The proper way to sit when playing or stand while singing. Fundamentals at the earliest ages are essential. Practicing the fundamentals leads to success which leads to a desire to learn more about the instrument. Read More

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