Guitar Lessons in Phillips Ranch, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Mandolin Acoustic Guitar

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I start out my beginning Guitar students learning the "open string chords" - I teach my students how to tune their guitars in addition to identifying the note names of each open string - I teach my students "chord progressions" (using the "open string chords") - I get my students playing songs as quickly as possible - i ask my students "what songs they would like to learn?" and proceed to teach them those songs - After my students have learned the "open string chords", i progress to teaching them "barre chords" - I teach my students how to use a "capo" Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Acoustic Guitar

My methods depend on both the age of the student and the experience. For example, for a beginner student who's a child I have them start working out of one or two beginner books that I like. Once they have a bit of a foundation, I start working on songs with them. Often it's a song of my choosing, but I always am always up for learning a song of my student's choosing (depending on how difficult it is of course). Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching experience started by teaching private lessons in my personal studio to students and have been doing so for the past 4 years. Always encouraging my students to be determined in their studies, always reminding them to have FUN! I also expanded my teaching to an after school program L.A.C.E.R for Hollywood High school, where I taught both Rock Band and Marching Band. Through all this teaching experience I have learned how to adapt to any kind of student wether is on a private setting or a big group setting. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

If there's a particular method book the student and/or parent want to use, they're the boss. If not or addition to, I simply teach HOW to play the instrument. I show them how to hold it, wrist/elbow positions and muscle memory techniques which are very important early on so bad habits don't develop to where they're playing the instrument versus fighting it. This is something I do with every new student regardless of their level, because they sought out a teacher for a very good reason. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

One of the first questions I ask a new student is what music they are currently listening to and what piece they would like to learn. Sometimes they are shy and I don't really get an answer out of them but after they become comfortable with me I get an idea of what they want to learn. To my shocking surprise many kids from this modern era have no clue who John Lennon or Bob Dylan are and it is essential for me to expose them to all sorts of music from Bach to The Beatles to Chopin and The Cure! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trombone Drums Synthesizer Ukulele Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

After I first received my Bachelor's Degree from CSU Fullerton, I opted to showcase my original music through distinct outlets. One of the resulting projects, themattsmithneujazztrio, has recorded three full-length records; my other project, JUICEBOX, has recorded two. I gained a masters of music in jazz drum set from California Institute of the Arts, where I was honored to record my own composition for the CalArts, 30th Annual Jazz CD at Capitol Records. Read More