Guitar Lessons in Pacifica, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always say that rhythm is more important than the notes. Play the right rhythm and the notes will come instead of playing every right note while sacrificing rhythm. I encourage students to make their mistakes loud, proud, and in rhythm so everyone has a better idea of what needs to be worked on most. I also emphasize isolating parts to practice and working backwards. Example: play the last two bars of the song until comfortable with it, now play the last 4 bars, last 6, last 8...etc., whole song. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I mix theory, ear training, and intrumental technique into each lesson. I believe it is important for a student to not only be able to play a song, but to understand, and hear it on a high level as well. I teach my students how to listen to themselves while they are playing, which is the difference between and OK musician and a great musician. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Drums Ukulele Recorder Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I learn by doing and I believe that my students should play what inspires them! If it's classical, let's study Bach and Mozart together - if it's Latin, let's study Dave Valentin and Johnny Pacheco. I have always had a broad taste in music and I think it's wonderful when students bring me songs that inspire them. Let's work the chords out together and study the greats! I believe that the engaged student will be the successful student. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet

I have played and taught a wide range of styles throughout my life. I graduated from the University of Washington in 2010, majoring in Guitar performance. I have had the opportunity to play in rock bands, jazz ensembles and as a solo performer. I am currently getting my music ed credential at SJSU. I still play frequently in town with my jazz ensemble. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I prefer tailoring my teaching approach to suit the individual's interests. When I initially began taking lessons, my primary focus was on learning how to play Death Metal. However, my instructors were unable or uninterested in guiding me through that genre. Unfortunately, this led me to discontinue formal lessons for a while. It was only years later, through my own musical experiences, that I started recognizing the close relationships between different genres. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

One of the many things I learned that will always be a part of my approach to teaching music is how jamming or having a conversation with expert musicians is the most fundamental and important way to learn how to develop your voice and technique on your instrument. My approach at my studio is designed to allow students the opportunity to jam and learn. Making music can and should be as fun as learning to speak for the first time. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

Flowing between the presentation of new information and the actual active playing music is very important to the way I conduct lessons. Especially for the young, I place much more emphasis on facilitating musical experiences rather than the integration of musical nomenclature and conceptualization. When we learn to speak, our ears guide us first, and we imitate. Writing and reading comes later. I've found that this pertains to music as well, if not even moreso. Read More