Guitar Lessons in Portage Bay, WA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Recorder Double Bass Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been a performing and teaching professional for over 25 years and released over 20 albums with many different artists. Since I was in my early twenties, I have performed throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and Central America. I bring my experience to the lesson room through a thorough and varied approach to harmony, technique, sight-reading, improvisation and performance techniques. Acoustic and electric bass are my primary instruments, but I teach to advanced level on guitar and ukulele, beginning piano, and in multiple genres of music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style can vary from student to student but I believe the most important element is that the student remains engaged and enjoys practicing their instrument, regardless of their individual level. If they are very young, I try to have them listen to as much music as possible when they are not practicing because listening to new music is just as important to musical growth as practice. If there is a particular song they are aiming to learn, we tackle it in class and have them practice it at home at least half hour a day. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

When I was first introduced to music, I had a great guitar teacher named Jonny Rodgers, who offered lessons after school. He nurtured my love of music and interest in it, always giving suggestions and offering new things to learn, but never demanding a set path. He made music seem like a mystery that no one has figured out and that we were working together to learn more about it. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

I love seeing and sharing my students passion for music. I can be rather silly and love to laugh, but I also believe that excellence is a habit. Therefore, I try to keep each lesson engaging and fun while also setting reasonable goals for my students. I also want to help my students develop consistent practice habits so that they can see how practicing leads to improvement. Lastly I want to help my students make music that inspires them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

After graduating Whitman, I interned as a music teacher at the Spring Street International School in Friday Harbor, WA. I was mentored by a great teacher, Grisha Krivchenia and learned how to be a compassionate teacher. I helped teach composition, music theory, small groups, bass and guitar. During the second half of the year, Grisha took a sabbatical and I took over his duties. While in Friday Harbor, I also taught upright bass, electric bass and piano privately. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For just about any instrument, a key approach of mine is to teach students how to play the songs they love - and then the musical building blocks that make up said songs. Then, I teach the rudiments, patterns, and music theory behind those building blocks, and teach the students to be able to figure this all out on their own in the future through ear-training. I tend to like the Essential Elements series for band instruments, the Alfred books for piano and guitar, the Real Book for a wide variety of jazz repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Lap Steel Guitar Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For all of my students beginning through advanced I have my own curriculum of technique building studies. Combined with that I have my own curriculum of style studies and songs which include many genres of music. If students want to learn how to read music I usually suggest the Hal Leonard series of books for their particular instrument to start with and then I suggest more advanced materials for the style of music that they want to start specializing in. Read More