Guitar Lessons in Fremont, CA

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I was naturally drawn to the guitar since I grew up with my Dad playing guitar and listening to good old rock and blues records. The guitar tones just drew me in like a magnet. There is something deeply therapeutic about the sound of a nicely over driven guitar/ amplifier. And the range of tones, from clean/ acoustic to hard-crunching power chords creates a world of opportunities for musical expression. The guitar is one of the most versatile instruments. It captivated me from the very beginning. I struggled with ADHD as a child and adult, and often found guitar to be the one thing that I could truly keep my focus on... Talk about therapeutic..!?

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
I think the hardest thing may be getting started and making good notes and chords for the first time. There will be pain in the finger tips, mental fatigue and self-doubt... The student must have the mental strength to overcome such obstacles. And the desire must come from within. It is always difficult to master skills, if the lesson presented is too far ahead of the students abilities. For example, mastering movable bar chords can be very difficult for beginners. But with practice, over time, proper hand-positioning and strength will develop and each time you practice something it sounds a little better and becomes easier to play.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
There are many ways to have a productive practice session. Generally, the student should gather his/her lesson materials, pick-up the guitar, tune the guitar, and ensure proper posture and positioning, to get started. Also, this should done in a quiet area, free of distractions, just like when they study schoolwork or homework. I often stress the importance of remembering and re-practicing older lesson materials, so as to not forget the material but continuously add to your knowledge base while retaining all that you have learned. Playing songs is also a good means of practice. If the academic side is thought to be boring and painful, students can benefit from learning and playing their favorite songs. The repetition will help with chords and rhythm and they will be putting in the work to improve without even realizing it as work, because it is fun. The goal is to inspire them to want to play and learn. For some students this may be the best way.

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
I suppose my Father inspired me to play by having guitars and playing while I was growing up. I saw how much fun and enjoyment he had when playing music alone or with friends. I began taking guitar class in Junior High School and playing along with my Dad and his friends. I think it was the challenge of mastering guitar itself that inspired me to keep working and learning. I didn't even think about it. It seems I was naturally drawn to it. I had the determination to learn what to do and then practice it until it sounded good. I also learned that playing songs over and over for fun is also good practice. The repetition will help you master chord fingering, chord changes, and rhythm patterns. Studying the composition of a song will give you insights to what chords sound good together and what kind of dynamics can be used over the course of a song. With a general understanding of the basics, you can take what you've learned and begin to create your own sounds. The sky is the limit for musical creativity and that's what truly inspires me.

Read More