Guitar Lessons in Paradise Valley, AZ

Instruments: Guitar

I taught at Lockport Music Center under Ralph Fava, who was an advocate of the Berkley teaching method. I also have taught private lessons for 7 plus years. I have played in Progressive rock bands in Buffalo N.Y. such as Paradyme and Weaponex. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Conga Latin Percussion

I started playing acoustic folk styles in 1962 and added 60's rock and more as time went on. I joined my first rock band in 1965 and have now played all styles of rock, blues, folk, country, bluegrass, jazz, and contemporary Christian and worship music. I also play and teach bass and other stringed fretted instruments, keyboards, and drums and percussion. I began teaching private music lessons in 1968 and began teaching professionally in 1989 at AZ Bible College. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard

I believe I am a friendly guy at heart, so I tend to be friendly with the students. There are times where I have to tell them, for example, "You haven't been practicing.". But I try my best to do that in love while encouraging them when I see even the smallest improvement. I feel as though the key is to play as much as possible. That can be hard to do when you feel like you don't know how to play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin

I began teaching lessons while workibg on my Master's degree. While tutoring a classmate on guitar, I realized that I really enjoyed teaching and decided to pursue more students. My music therapy training gives me a unique approach to education enabling me to tailor all of my students lessons to their personal goals and needs. I enjoy teaching a variety of styles, from classical to contemporary, as well as giving my students performance opportunities to really be able to challenge themselves. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Keyboard Electric Guitar

I generally like to start my beginning students with lesson plans from the book" The Secrets of playing Piano by Ear" by Jermaine Griggs. 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. I try to focus on what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lesson fresh and FUN! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Banjo Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am kind, patient and knowledgable . I have over 30 years of experience with youth through seniors and love every minute of sharing music with my students. Music theory, chord building, note reading,rhythm studies and improvisation skills are part of every lesson. Even though I specialize in Classical Guitar I enjoy teaching pop, folk, jazz, blues, country and more. I do teach note reading but I also encourage the use of tab as a tool for learning. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Trumpet Bass Guitar

For all students, I teach them exercises to strenghten their fundamentals and skills in the given instrument, and each lesson we practice the exercises to focus on improving their sound production, pitch finding, placement, and more.  We also learn songs that both the student and I choose and prepare for performance (when necessary).  Here are the books I work from for each instrument, but please note that I don't necessarily use these for every student, only when appropriate: GUITAR:  Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method (books 1 through 3) VOICE:  Master Vocal Exercises by Horatio Connell, and Sightsinging (Hal Leonard) BASS GUITAR:  Bass Method, (Hal Leonard, books 1 through 3) TRUMPET:  Essential Elements 2000, (Hal Leonard, books 1 through 3) Read More