Guitar Lessons in Portola Valley, CA

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For the last thirty-plus years my passion has been music. I read magazine articles and books on music theory. I compile lessons from various sources, to create personalized lesson material for each individual student. Im currently taking advanced lessons myself, and teaching 2-5 students weekly. I have been writing, recording, studying, and performing music consistently, for over twenty years. I have intermittently taught private guitar lessons over the same time period. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

My teaching experience is primarily with private voice and piano lessons. I began teaching as a private instructor in 2010, and have taught privately since. I've had the pleasure of working with a diverse age group from Pre-k to Seniors, and from Beginners to Advanced. I teach fundamentals and technique, but my primary focus in teaching is to inspire the student to explore their instrument, and what it's capable of. I am much more inclined toward cultivating Artists than I am in cultivating immaculate performers. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion

He has also studied voice with Jane Sharp and piano with Ellen Wasserman.  Jake has been teaching music since 2001. He was Music Program Director at Mission Hills Middle School, in Union City, for 3 years. He was also the guitar and percussion teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Oakland. Jake has also been a music instructor with COVA, Art and Soul Music Studios, Hayward Music Center and ALMA. Over the years he has performed with musicians such as Josh Jones, Michael Aaberg, Dayna Stephens, Ambrose Akinmusere, Jonathan Finlayson, Geoff Brennan, and Ray Brown. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Synthesizer Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I believe that encouragement, practical positivity, different learning styles and realistic short term long term challenges can aid in you or your child's musical success. I emphasize developing positive down to earth relationships with my students so that they feel like they can be themselves and learn in a safe environment. Developing relationships also aids in understanding what you or your child's learning style is and in creating realistic short term and long term goals lesson plans. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I usually come in pretty relaxed, but can be a drill sergeant if needed. I find that every student has their own learning pace and style and will never get needlessly angry. If a student is doing particularly well or seems invested in the material, I will always acknowledge it and the lessons will become very much enjoyable for everyone! Every single student has the potential to unlock some truly unique musical capabilities. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginners, I use handwritten tablature, online tablature, and Hal Leonard Instructional Books. For those interested in classical guitar, I use selected pieces from the Christopher Parkening Method Books. If you are wanting to learn for casual enjoyment, I will teach you basic chords, popular riffs and selected songs from classic rock, the blues, pop, folk or modern rock. I am a patient, passionate, devoted teacher. I always make my students understand the content of what I'm teaching by asking questions and slowly going over given material. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I have been paying guitar for over 15 years. My love of improvisation brought me to the California Jazz Conservatory where I have been studying since 2012. In fall 2016 I will graduate with a B.M. in Jazz Studies, focusing on guitar. I play in a local rock/funk band, The Electic Soul Factory, and I am a founder a of The Moldy Fig Improvised Music Collective, for which I compose and arrange the material. Read More