Guitar Lessons in Port Costa, CA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Double Bass

I began teaching music in 2004 while working in a guitar shop in nothern California. While I have mostly focused on writing music and performing, I am a passionate teacher and use the many great teachers I have had as a backdrop to my teaching style. I like to explore many aspects in music which include songwriting production and analysis. I currently teach privately in my Pacifica home and studio. I hold a BA in music from San Francisco State University with a focus in jazz studies on guitar. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

When I first meet a student I ask them to tell me what kinds of music they love to listen to and what strikes a chord in them about this particular music. Then I assess their level, if they have played for awhile. If they are a beginner, I start with correct posture, hand position, and elbow position as these are very important ergonomic considerations any of which can cause stress on the joints and additional tension in both the hands and wrists. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

My teaching experience is primarily with private voice and piano lessons. I began teaching as a private instructor in 2010, and have taught privately since. I've had the pleasure of working with a diverse age group from Pre-k to Seniors, and from Beginners to Advanced. I teach fundamentals and technique, but my primary focus in teaching is to inspire the student to explore their instrument, and what it's capable of. I am much more inclined toward cultivating Artists than I am in cultivating immaculate performers. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

For beginners, learning basic chords and melodies including songs chosen by the student. For intermidiate, learning some repetoire of a student's preferred style and applying theory/adding new ideas as well as becoming more famliar with the guitar neck For advanced, learning improvisational concepts and practice techniques or difficult song passages that will improve student's technique and musical vocabulary. Reading music is an option for any level. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I started and loved to play the guitar since when I was 12 years old. I started out by self teaching myself how to play the style called "Finger-Style" on the steel string acoustic guitar and posted videos of myself playing this style on the instrument on YouTube. I was able to progress fast by posting videos consistently, and I had collected a big following as well. After a few years, my interest and love had grown for the classical nylon strung guitar and I continued to pursue it in a collegiate level. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For someone with no experience on guitar I'll typically begin with scales, and familiarizing with the guitar. For bass; exactly the same as guitar to start, drums would start with with your basic 2,4 beat, and familiarization with parts (snare, hi hat, etc). Vocalist I would always start with a warm up, basics, and note reciting. For keyboard beginners I would show them their A,B,C's as far as how to access those, and we'd start messing with different shapes, and songs almost right away. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I've blended my methods with a response to each student I work with by requesting their trust, listening to their places of comfort and interest in playing music, and discovering new avenues of development with the student. I encourage them to draw from those areas in our sessions as we develop our repertoire and enhance individual growth from there. For beginners I tend to start with either Standard of Excellence books or Rubank and build custom practices from there. Read More