Guitar Lessons in Glendale, AZ

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

At a very young age I was fascinated with hearing guitar solo's and listening to guitar parts by all the legends. Eventually after working with a classical guitar that my sister had, I purchased a Harmony guitar from a friend of my dad's (John "Hollywood" Bridgewater). Whenever I would meet musicians in school that played we would get together and trade licks. That eventually turned into me teaching all my guitar playing friends licks. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I feel I explained a good amount of my teaching style in the last column. I really like to go with what the student will benefit from the most, not necessarily what is the cookie cutter "next step" I learned to play by trying things a couple levels above me and I loved it. I know not all students are the same, and sometimes the parents input is a big factor depending on if they are musicians themselves! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Banjo Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching at the age of 15 at the Willowdale Conservatory of Music where I had the opportunity to tutor underclassmen as a way of paying my tuition. I managed to put myself through college as a single parent by teaching guitar and banjo out of my home and contracting with local community centers and schools for guitar classes. I moved to Arizona in 1987 to accept a teaching fellowship at ASU West while completing my Masters degree. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

The way I have always approached teaching is the same way i learned music, to try and make each concept make sense by breaking down and relating basic key points of playing and improvising to each other. For example, I like to emphasize breaking down chords and the related scales in an easy to undertand and logical way. I emphasize the importance of phrasing and shaping chords while using such shred techniques as alternate picking, legatto, sweep picking and tapping. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Trumpet Bass Guitar

For all students, I teach them exercises to strenghten their fundamentals and skills in the given instrument, and each lesson we practice the exercises to focus on improving their sound production, pitch finding, placement, and more.  We also learn songs that both the student and I choose and prepare for performance (when necessary).  Here are the books I work from for each instrument, but please note that I don't necessarily use these for every student, only when appropriate: GUITAR:  Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method (books 1 through 3) VOICE:  Master Vocal Exercises by Horatio Connell, and Sightsinging (Hal Leonard) BASS GUITAR:  Bass Method, (Hal Leonard, books 1 through 3) TRUMPET:  Essential Elements 2000, (Hal Leonard, books 1 through 3) Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Keyboard Electric Guitar

Nothing is more exciting than seeing one my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. " The slower you go, the faster you'll get there" - John Link Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard

I took guitar lessons, bass lessons, as well as piano lessons when I was a kid. I also interned at music studios and sat in on live audio gigs to learn that aspect as well. I have been playing for artists/bands live and in the studio (primarily on bass guitar) for almost 15 years now. From country, gospel, blues, to classic rock. Most of my experience teaching is with small children. Read More