Guitar Lessons in Johnstown, OH

Instruments: Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

The material I teach covers scales, chords, and music theory. We can practice a variety of exercises that help improve your rhythm and dexterity. In order to tie everything together, I think it is important to play music with each other and along with recorded music as an example. Admittedly, the content of scales, chords, and music theory in itself can be dry. This is why I tend to customize how to practice something like a pentatonic minor scale. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass Music Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching guitar and electric bass when I myself was in high school and have continued to teach over the years ever since. I've taught everyone from pre-teens to retirees and have done my best to instill a sense of discipline and an understanding of the role of both instruments in the rhythm section. My aim in teaching is to prepare my students for real-world scenarios, with an emphasis on how to "lock in" with other musicians. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Lap Steel Guitar Mandolin

I like to keep a fun, lighthearted, and exciting mood in my lessons. My priority is keeping students working towards their own goals. I certainly hope to influence those goals, but if the student doesn't have the motivation, no one else can help them. In some ways, I view myself not as a teacher, but as a guide. A student can be their own best teacher, but without guidance and explanation, it is easy to get lost. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Double Bass Acoustic Guitar

When beginning teaching I typically assess the learners general attention span, natural strengths, and what is motivating for them. I complete a beginner piano assessment to find out how the learner is with pattern recognition, any previous knowledge they may have, and what type of instruction they respond best to. When I understand the learners least restrictive environment I will choose the type of notation we start with. This can be traditional sheet music, pop chords, or adapted notation that may consist of numbers, letters, and/or colors. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

The difference between a musician who can play a bunch of songs ,and a musician who can play any song that he/she can get into their head, is simply this: The persons ability to identify , in musical terms, the music that they hear-either from a recording, or in his/her head. That is where my students have an advantage-because that is exactly what they learn. Most teachers teach music as a succession of mechanical events in a given order, or as interpreting notes on a staff into performed music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I've been teaching for a total of three years now. In that time I've had many different students and picked up on many different teaching techniques as a result. My experience is mostly with late elementary school students but I have also taught middle school and early high school students as well. I would consider myself most proficient in teaching those with little to no experience, but I truly enjoy teaching those who already have goals in mind when they first walk through the door as that is the starting point from my perspective. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have taught a heavy schedule of students most of my adult life. For the years between 1995 and 2001 my touring schedule as a road musician prevented me from teaching. Since returning in '02 until covid shut us down I averaged 80 private students a week. Summary Taught guitar at Plaza Music Trevos Pa 1985 - 1986 Taught guitar at Coyle music Columbus Ohio !987 - 1994 Taught guitar at Cowtown Gutars 1995 - 1996 Traveled professionally as a guitar player 1996 - 2002 Taught guitar at Metro Music 2002 - 2005 Taught guitar at Lang Music 2005 -2006 Taught guitar at Mid Ohio Music 2006 - 2010 Taught guitar and owned Mid Ohio Music Academy 2010 - 2020 Currently teaching from home in person and on Zoom. Read More