Guitar Lessons in Burtonsville, MD

Instruments: Piano Guitar

I find my greatest joy in sharing music! I'm currently working on a Professional Jazz Guitar Certificate from the Berklee Academy of Music Online, but I have been studying as many genres as I am able to over the years. I love performing and having jam sessions with my friends, and I love meeting new musicians! I was performing in Southern Maryland but recently moved around the D.C area to begin my professional teaching career. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

There is certain flexibility that is tailored towards the student's choice of music he or she would like to learn. I also provide students the opportunity to learn songs of their choice. This can include reading guitar tabs, chord charts, lead charts, and still, sheet music. It is really up to the student, for I am able to teach one or all of these methods of learning songs. I have had students learn a vast array of styles, including Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, Ed Sheerin, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Outkast, Macklemore, Bob Marley, Jonie Mitchell, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Rascall Flatts, Earl Scruggs, Olde Crowe Medicine Show, Nirvana, Elliot Smith, Led Zeppelin, Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, The Beatles, just to name a few. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Firstly, I teach the student the anatomy of the guitar and how to tune it, along with how to hold a pick. After that, I start teaching students how to identify notes on the fretboard. When they have a good grasp on that, I start to teach the basic modes, such as the major, minor, pentatonic, blues, lydian, mixolydian, and dorian modes, and while they are learning these, I give them exercises that use these modes to increase the student's mechanical skill, such as going up and down the scales in patterns of three/four/etc. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

For beginning students I try to start with the essentials. It is important for young children to become familiar with the instrument, the proper way to hold an instrument. The proper way to sit when playing or stand while singing. Fundamentals at the earliest ages are essential. Practicing the fundamentals leads to success which leads to a desire to learn more about the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar

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. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I am an acoustic percussive guitarist currently working in the greater Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. I have been teaching guitar almost as long as I've been playing guitar, starting with just friends and family but eventually moving on to support myself as a private instructor. I have apprenticed with UDC Jazz Band Guitarist Pete Muldoon and Matt Kelley (of the blues band "Big Boy Little"). I supported myself in highschool by working in DC's local guitarshop, which is where I started teaching my first students.  Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Organ Conga Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Alfred Piano Basics. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to work from Czerny and introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More