Guitar Lessons in Mentone, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet

How do I approach teaching music? When asked that, I tell my students I listen to YOUR desires and teach to YOUR level, not mine. You are the student; I am your guide, not your dictator. We will function as best friends do, with teamwork, perserverance, and tricks I use that I share only with those close to me whom I trust and my students who will benefit from the skills I give them the most. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I like to create a very warm, encouraging, relaxed and positive atmosphere for all my students. My teaching style is very much student-led in terms of goals and preferences. While I will create a general plan for each student to reach their particular goals, I never see my lesson plans as these rigid constructs that must be stuck to closely, and a guitar lesson may shift gears right in the middle of the lesson if I feel a student needs to spend a bit of extra time on one skill or concept before moving on, or if I find the student has picked up something much more quickly than expected, and we can move on to the next thing, or if the student asks a question that leads us to dive a little deeper into one particular topic that wasn't necessarily on the plan. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Lap Steel Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Piano or Guitar Lessons for the Young Beginner by Andrew Scott and Gary Turner. The student, even at a young age, learns an introduction to music theory. Each concept is taught in a very methodical and step-by-step approach. As a teacher, I am looking to prepare students for ongoing learning for years to come. The language of music can be very confusing and I am looking for ways to minimize those perplexing times. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

Theres nothing more fulfilling than watching a student develop a genuine passion for playing the guitar! I believe its essential for each student to progress at their own pace, and I support this by setting achievable goals in each lesson. Celebrating these accomplishments not only builds confidence but also fuels their motivation to keep learning. By taking the time to understand what excites each studentwhether it's a particular genre like J-pop or a favorite songIm able to tailor my teaching approach to match their interests and goals. Read More

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

I harken back to a variety of literature in music to teach music and instrument theory, as well as instrumental proficiency. Some of my favorite works for guitar instruction are Guthrie Govan's Creative Guitar 1 and 2 as well as Carl Fischer's Guitar Grimoire. I typically will adjust my teaching style based on the age and experience of the student, as well as the goals put forth, as I believe it is imperative to meet a student at their specific aspirations. Read More

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

Every student progresses at their own pace. I write out the homework for the week on a piece of paper for both them and the parent to see. When their expectations are written out, it's easier to see how far they've progressed. Most of my lessons start out with asking how their week went and how much practice they were able to get in. We then review the material from the week before and talk about the progress or any difficulties they may have come across during the week. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

Having taught guitar both privately and as an independent contractor, I have experience teaching a wide variety of student types. What I try to do is bring the aspects of the student's playing to their attention that may not have otherwise noticed. I try to satisfy the student's curiosity as well as make recommendations for areas of focus in the student's practice routine that I find valuable. Especially in the case of children, my students certainly notice an improvement in their ability to focus after taking lessons with me for an extended period, and parents have a lot to benefit from this as well. Read More