Guitar Lessons in Ridgefield, WA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching classical guitar while earning my Bachelor's of Music degree at Western Washington University from 2003 to 2007. My focus was on performance and music instruction, so it seemed the next step for me was to pursue a career in music education. After college, I started with a small client base, which has steadily increased over the years. I provide music lessons & instruction, performing arts education, and tutoring. My students can expect to be instructed in music reading, learning interpretative styles, fretboard theory and guitar technique. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Music is all about having fun and exploring one's own creative intuition. I like to teach in a relaxed environment, ensuring that lessons are not only educational but also enjoyable. I want to ensure that my students are learning at a pace that is acceptable to them while also encouraging goal setting and independent learning. I generally also prefer a more conversational style of teaching. I want to engage with students rather than simply tell them to follow a chart or reading materials. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Conga Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

Before earning my bachelor's degree in K-12 Music Education in 2020, I held a longtime position as a tenor vocalist and choral leader with First Christian Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and post-degree as a K-12 music teacher in dual-language immersion public schools and technology-focused charter schools in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Currently, I reside in Oregon's Willamette Valley, and deliver private lessons throughout the South Portland metropolitan area for a variety of instruments. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele

I generally split lessons into three sections, 1/3 with chords, 1/3 scales, 1/3 with songs, but every student is different, for example, If your goal is to strictly learn chords to sing folks songs over, I will emphasize more chord reading and learning time. If you want to play leads, I will spend more time emphasizing scales to help you learn how to improvise. There are also other excercises we can do like rhythm reading (just with clapping, no instrument) transcription/listening, and harmonic analysis. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

Each student is at a different level, and therefore requires different teaching methods. I like to implement the Hanon exercises for scales and warm-ups, also focusing on things like scales and arpeggios. For the guitar, I like to incorporate these concepts with chordal exercises as well, such as playing progressions to let the student's fingers grow accustomed to their forms. I then let the student tell me what his or her focus is, such as theoretical, classical, or popular. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Ukulele Recorder

I try to get to know my students in the first few lessons so I can be more sensitive to their personalities. This helps me choose the best teaching approach for them. From the very first lesson I create a relaxed setting so students feel no apprehension, especially when trying something new. This allows them to feel free to take chances and experience playing music as something enjoyable, not a life or death situation! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Bass Guitar

For beginning students I start with the basics of music theory, and demonstrating how this theory is used in rock n' roll, blues, and classical depending on what the student is interested. for intermediate students I aim to build upon their knowledge and help them discover more music, and build a greater understanding of music theory. For advanced students I focus on guiding their studies to a greater level through analysis of historically great pieces, the study of harmony, and how to capture and retain the emotional and mental intrigue of the audience. Read More