Guitar Lessons in Independence, MO

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I prefer an individualized, tailored teaching method. Your passion and interest should inspire your learning. I see my job as then taking that passion and working to grow and develop it through specifically designed lessons and practice routines, personalized to you as the student. I strongly believe the most important aspect of learning is fostering a love for your instrument. Utilizing my strong background in theory and performance, I focus on various elements of instrumentation and technique combined with a foundation in theory to produce well-rounded, capable musicians. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Ukulele Music

My teaching style is a little eclectic. I like explaining everything I do because students should know why they're doing certain things. I work with each student to figure out why they're taking voice lessons and figure out accomplishments that they want to achieve. I'm tired of voice teachers only teaching classical music, especially when a student says they want something different. Classical music is important, especially in the music sphere, but singing and playing are not all about that. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I try to concentrate on the learning progress and enthusiasm of the student. I want to know what motivates them and the parents and help them focus on that. I also encourage performance opportunities and recitals to give them goals to work towards. I go at the students pace while challenging them to the next learning objective. My lessons are very interactive and tailored to their needs while at the same time following a standardized scope and sequence to make sure all the essentials are covered. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Organ Ukulele Recorder Keyboard Djembe

For beginner's, I do typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements books. For intermediate, I'll evaluate what materials they've used thus far in their lessons and go from there. If someone is familiar with a set of books in a positive way, there's no reason to change the books they're using. I do believe, however, there is profit in a variety of repertoire, so a diverse lesson is key. I have learned from experience that simply learning one genre (classical, jazz, showtunes) is less desirable than having a familiar ear to multiple styles. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass Classical Guitar

I enjoy using popular method books designed to help develop technique at the student's specific level. I also particularly enjoy creating my own exercises that may be more beneficial to a student's specific technique development. Being a bass/rhythm guitarist, I place a lot of value on tempo and rhythm accuracy, and other key elements to being able to play successfully with others. I believe technique development to be of vital importance and approach it on a student by student basis - no two students have exactly the same lesson plan! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

You can compare it to trying to learn algebra before addition or how to square root before subtraction, you will become frustrated because the concepts are progressive and you don't have a grasp of the basics yet. Frustration is not my teaching goal for my students. My ultimate goal is to provide my students an engaging and fun way to build the musical tool belt they need to play whatever kind of music they like -- independently. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Flute Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began helping my friends work through their music when I was 19 at Missouri Western State University, and eventually cultivated a bustling studio of students through word of mouth. I now teach full time in Zoom and in person with house visits, or at my home studio. My students regularly perform very well at state competitions, form bands of their own, and have found great cause in writing their own music outside of academia. Read More