Bob W
Instruments: Guitar, Classical Guitar
Styles: Classical, Pop, Folk, Country, Latin, Latin Jazz

I received a Bachelor degree in Guitar Performance from Catholic University in Washington DC back in 1980. However, my career was in computer programming for the next 30 years. During this time, I continued to improve my Guitar skills and performed at many venues, including weddings, parties, formal events, and concerts, such as those at Brook Side gardens in Wheaton, the Olney Theater, and Afternoon Teas at Strathmore Hall at the Mansion in Bethesda Md. My teaching experience started eleven years ago when I retired from my career as a Systems Engineer. The guitar technique I teach is mostly finger style, which is suitable of a wide variety of solo guitar music, including Pop, Jazz, Rock, and especially Classical. I usually teach at the home of my students if the drive is not too far, but I also teach at my house in Gaithersburg Md, Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress, gain confidence and develop a passion for the instrument. I've also found that a combination of classical, pop, and rock arrangements keeps the students motivated so that they want to practice on their own, and continue to learn. I've also helped students who wish to do their own compositions and Guitar arrangements. I have taught and am looking for students new students of all ages!

Since I'm primarily a Classical Guitar player, I emphasize the technique required for it, which is mainly finger-style. My primary teaching method is derived from Aaron Shearer, which many famous guitarists have used, including the well known Manuel Barrueco. The main instruction book is written by Aaron Shearer, which teaches classical guitar technique and standard music notation sight reading, but I'm also flexible. If I see a student would prefer to strum and accompany their own or others singing, I teach from Hal Leonard's Complete Guitar Method book. This basically covers everything from learning chords, strumming, and finger-style picking. Once the student has developed enough confidence, I switch over to sheet music for building their repertoire.