Guitar Lessons in Rocky River, OH

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My first steps into teaching were as a camp counselor at a local music summer camp in Shaker Heights from 2008-2012. During that time I had a few students who were just beginning to play saxophone and clarinet. Those experiences coupled with phenomenal teachers throughout high school inspired me to pursue a bachelor's degree in Music Education at Ithaca College. During my collegiate years I continued honing my abilities and knowledge of all the instruments I play while also studying music theory, conducting, and composition along with researching pedagogical approaches. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Double Bass Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I emphasize the importance of developing good technique and a fundamental understanding of the basic components of music: major and minor scales, arpeggios, chords, modes and chord progressions. I believe that technical facility makes it easier to accomplish musical goals while developing musicianship. I like to tailor my lessons to each student using music that the student brings to me to create lessons and exercises. For students that like to uses books I like to use the Hal Leonard Method books for Guitar, Bass, Banjo, and Ukulele and the Alfred Method books for Piano and Drums. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I began teaching guitar very soon after I started performing myself. I had already had an extensive background on other instruments so the private lesson setting was second nature to me. In high school I taught many beginners and learned how to show younger students to build coordination between their fingers and the guitar while at the same time acquiring a large repertoire of songs that many students like to learn. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

My teaching experience spans the music store environment and private students. I started out giving private lessons in students homes over 15 years ago, eventually becoming a guitar teacher at a local music store. I'm a big advocate of having fun while practicing. This is called playing for a reason. Music can sometimes be viewed as this big mountain to climb and seemingly, a task. Baby steps is the way to think here. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

For young beginners, I usually start with simple note reading so that they can begin playing tunes right away. When children realize that they can play "Happy Birthday" or "Jingle Bells" after just a couple of lessons, their interest level increases. For older students, I tend to ask "What does playing the guitar look like to you? What do you imagine yourself doing when you ponder it?" This gives me the best idea of what direction we can plan for. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I start by assessing my student's personality type so that I know which teaching style to use going forward. From there, I would gather information from the student regarding his or her difficulty level with the instrument and then from there, I would put together the appropriate materials for the lesson so that we have a plan to work from and an end goal in mind. I want to make my students feel as comfortable as possible but also to be able to push their abilities to the limit when need be. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Keyboard Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I teach children as young as 6, and adults well into retirement. I first assess the student's musical goals, then tailor the teaching method to achieve those goals. Some students want to just have fun, some want to learn "hum and strum", while others want to prepare for competitions or perfomances or go on to become professional musicians. Beginners and novice students first learn the basics of music theory by progressing through an established music course. Read More