Guitar Lessons in Austin, TX

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Mandolin Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I grew up in a home where my father played guitar for friends and family. I was fascinated by his nylon string guitar and picked it up out of curiosity. I am grateful that he allowed me to play with his cherished instrument.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
If your child has an interest in music there is never a wrong time to start! I have taught very young students and they do great as long as they are having fun! Even if your child is not showing much interest you may want to give them the experience of learning an instrument, they will thank you later (if they have the right teacher!)

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I have more than 12 albums that are available on all streaming platforms! I wrote all the music and did the recording myself. It took so much effort and time to learn all the aspects of recording and playing various instruments but I am very proud of the music I make. I make music under multiple band names for the different styles I write but they are all solo albums.

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I started playing bass out of necessity because I was recording my own music and needed a bass player! I learned the most from my oldest brother who taught me how to play and think like a bass player instead of a guitar player. Bass is a different instrument and requires a different approach. I learned piano because my dad told me it would teach me so much more about music and how it works and he was right! There is a lot on piano that lays out music theory in a simpler way than guitar. The other instruments I play came out of my excitement for music and my desire to learn as much as possible!

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
My father and his brothers all play guitar and my oldest brother was a bass player. My grandfather on my mother's side played mandolin and organ and my grandmother told me he just sat down and started playing without any lessons! He was a natural. His father was a professional ragtime Pianist in the 20's.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
I used to practice chords and scales and timing but now I stay sharp by writing and recording music. Recording music is great practice because it requires performing a part until it is played well enough to remain a permanent part of the song. I also practice by using a live looping device that records a part and plays it back. I can create a loop with chords and then practice improvising over the top of it.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
My primary instrument is guitar and I was inspired by the bands of the 90's first, including Nirvana, Green Day, and many more. I then discovered classic rock bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zepellin and I couldn't put my guitar down until I learned those riffs! As time went on I discovered many other wonderful styles of music and developed an appreciation for all kinds of music, including jazz, classical, and music from all over the world.

When will I start to see results?
Very quickly! Don't expect to sound great right away but you can start playing some basic songs and melodies in your first lesson. It takes time to get comfortable with getting the timing and chords together but you will see and hear improvement every week if you are having fun and working at it.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
I believe it is better to practice a small amount as often as possible (i.e. 15 per day) that to spend hours at a time. Of course, the more time you spend the more you will improve but small steps go a long way when you are starting out. You need to give your fingers time to adjust.

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