Guitar Lessons in Ross, CA

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Typically, I like to use the student's goals to decide where to jump off from. If a student would like to learn to read music, I would like to start with the book that I started with, Alfred's Basic Guitar Method. I find that it is a very effective book that teaches the basics and lays it out with enough practice material to make students aware of how the guitar works. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always say that rhythm is more important than the notes. Play the right rhythm and the notes will come instead of playing every right note while sacrificing rhythm. I encourage students to make their mistakes loud, proud, and in rhythm so everyone has a better idea of what needs to be worked on most. I also emphasize isolating parts to practice and working backwards. Example: play the last two bars of the song until comfortable with it, now play the last 4 bars, last 6, last 8...etc., whole song. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Ukulele Acoustic Guitar

Having been a performer for many years, I realized at one point that my experience and skills could be of use to people who themselves were interested in developing their own passion for music... And so, shortly after my graduate studies, I began teaching ...There is nothing as exciting or rewarding as focusing one's personal passion and using that energy to awaken in another person their own passion for the interest which you share... Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

All of my lessons are built around songs to teach technique and I add materials to teach theory and musicianship if the student wants and needs it. I always interview each student to find out their interests and desires and and build a custom curriculum eight lessons at a time to insure satisfaction and success on the students terms. I have student assessments at the end of each eight lessons block to make sure that the student knows how they have improved and where they need more work. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Mandolin Double Bass Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Throughout the 8 years that I have been teaching I have been learning a lot about many different methods and teaching styles. I always had thought that what I was being taught could have been taught in a more natural and more efficient way. I have borrowed man my ideas from some of the greatest teachers in the industry but believe the most in the bel canto method created but David Jacobsen who is an alumni of the Curtis Institute of Music, the greatest school of music in the world. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

I have for the past twenty-two years been working as a Music Educator, Administrator, Jazz composer and performer. The last eleven of those years have been in the San Francisco Bay area at Oakland School for the Arts, teaching and leading large jazz ensembles, orchestra, small groups and music theory classes for grades 6-12. As Chairman of the Instrumental Music Department, I was responsible for teaching and developing music curricula, developing new programs, recruiting and auditioning new students, presenting and speaking with incoming parent groups, writing and developing the school A-G requirements, and meeting with community schools and faculty to create meaningful collaborations. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Double Bass

I began teaching music in 2004 while working in a guitar shop in nothern California. While I have mostly focused on writing music and performing, I am a passionate teacher and use the many great teachers I have had as a backdrop to my teaching style. I like to explore many aspects in music which include songwriting production and analysis. I currently teach privately in my San Francisco home and studio. Read More