Guitar Lessons in Dogtown, CA

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own 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.Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

I have for the past twenty-two years been working as a Music Educator, Administrator, Jazz composer and performer. The last eleven of those years have been in the San Francisco Bay area at Oakland School for the Arts, teaching and leading large jazz ensembles, orchestra, small groups and music theory classes for grades 6-12. As Chairman of the Instrumental Music Department, I was responsible for teaching and developing music curricula, developing new programs, recruiting and auditioning new students, presenting and speaking with incoming parent groups, writing and developing the school A-G requirements, and meeting with community schools and faculty to create meaningful collaborations. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe that every student is different, whether it is their anatomy and how there body fits the instrument, or the amount of talent that one possesses. Therefore, my teaching style is to make entirely customized lessons for a certain student. As I mentioned in my methods, I would make the student play pieces, but I will pick them based on what I believe would improve what the student lacks in, such as certain techniques. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Musically, I have been involved in just about every activity you can think of! Although I spend the majority of my time on jazz piano, I have accompanied choirs, played baritone in marching bands, played guitar in rock bands, played bass in funk bands... I like to think that my wide array of experience allows me to cater to a variety of learning styles. In terms of education, I have been working in early childhood and music schools for more than 8 years, teaching children as young as 2 and as old as 20. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Ukulele Acoustic Guitar

Since my graduate degree days 25 years ago , I have been steadily teaching both as a private instructor, and in classroom situations... I'll confess that, while group lessons do foster an energy that can be exciting, the reality of dividing my teaching attention between multiple students is not quite as exciting at putting ALL my effort and attention int one private student! As a choir director, I not only have the opportunity to teach "voice," but "musicality," and I find that to be an highly satisfying experience! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Organ Ukulele Electric Violin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

From experience, these are all the basic tools a student needs to work on their fundamentals before diving into full fledged solo pieces for competitions. Beginning students have to start from the bottom. These students will start by learning how to hold the violin and the bow, for example, and slowly but surely get into reading music and eventually playing simple scales and melodies from an elementary book. Some adults, however, may be interested in learning an instrument because they want to play a song they love. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Trombone Drums Ukulele Euphonium French Horn Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe encouragement is the best way to help a student succeed. I believe music lessons should be enjoyable and try to make them fun. But even though we have fun, we still have to play the best we can and get the work done. I try to inspire my students to enjoy music, not force them. I believe music should be fun and engaging and not just "work" or a "Requirement". Read More