What I can teach you

I tailor my lessons to each student based on their specific goals and interest, but here’s a few things we could work on together.

• Technique
  Everything from how to position your instrument, proper hand/mouth position, and articulation. I’ll show you how to physically execute technique on your instrument with consistency and ease.
• Your favorite songs
  The reason most players start. I can breakdown songs to help you practice them efficiently, as well as help you analyze & understand them. They’re often the best examples for learning anything about music.
• Ear training
  Want to learn songs by ear? Recognize the ingredients to your favorite song? Understand what your bandmates are playing when you jam? I can help you develop these skills by training your ear to understand music just by listening.
• Music theory
  When you first start learning songs they seem like a complex stream of notes, but there are patterns in the madness. I can teach you these patterns to help you can learn songs quicker, communicate with other musicians, and have a solid toolbox for composing your own music.
• Improvisation
  Learn to play your own unique one-of-a-kind solos and feel free on your guitar. I’ll help you develop a framework and set of tools for improvising over any accompaniment.
• Reading & Writing Music
  From standard notation to tablature, most musicians find it useful to write down their musical ideas and read others. I’ll tell you everything you need to access the wealth of written music.
• Understanding Gear
  One of the most interesting aspects of electric guitar and modern music production is the plethora of tools for modifying sound. I can answer your questions about amps, pedals, audio processing software, and more to help you craft your own sound.

Younger Students

As young students often are total beginners, don’t know what their goals are, or even what’s possible, I have a more structured curriculum to help develop their skill holistically. My goal is to create well rounded musicians prepared to succeed in whatever their future musical interests are.

Why private lessons?

There is a massive amount of information online about music and playing. What do private lessons offer that you can’t find online?

• Expert feedback on your progress so you can put your effort where you need it the most.
• Personally crafted exercises and practice routines designed to address your specific challenges.
• A coach & mentor who will help motivate you through the challenges and give you encouragement and perspective on your accomplishments.

My Teaching Philosophy

• The point of learning an instrument is to make music that you want to make! I use that goal to focus my lesson topics and practice suggestions for you.
• Becoming a musician is a marathon, not a sprint. If you keep at it, it can keep you busy your whole life. (I’m still learning too!)
• Slow steady improvement is better than sporadic bursts and burnout.
• Lessons should always fun and inspire your curiosity. I strive to get my students passionate about music.
• It’s better to be a well-rounded musician. You should understand how what you are playing fits into the song.

How It Works

• Lessons are given at my studio in Clearview, just off of highway 9.
• Studio hours are from 11:00 till 8:00 Monday through Friday.
• Your first trial lesson is free, so you can get to know me and see what it’s like before you commit.
• If we’re a good fit, you can sign up for a regular weekly time slot, or schedule lessons one at a time.
• Rescheduling must be done 24 hours before your lesson.
• My rate is $30 for 30-minute lessons.
• Payment Is due at the start of the lesson.
• Students need to bring their own instrument, a notebook, and any material they want to work on. Everything else is provided for by me.