Guitar Lessons in Rohnert Park, CA

Instruments: Guitar Voice

I like to teach lessons that move step-by-step, with each lesson building on the one before, so that the student can see the improvement as they move ahead. If they are children beginners, they can begin with simple chords, a strum and a C scale. Over time more chords, fuller strumming rhythms and understanding how chords come from scales is introduced. With more advanced players, depending on the style that they want to play, they can learn more advanced chords and progressions, licks and fills, and creating intros and endings and generally sculpting the songs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Organ Ukulele Electric Violin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

Music is something that takes time to understand. It clicks in some students, but most kids take a while to develop musically. Patience is the most pronounced characteristic in my teaching style. It's easy to tell the student what they're doing wrong and what to correct, but that doesn't mean it's the most effective practice. Some kids will get nervous and make the same mistake over and over again. This is where it's important to use positive reinforcement and give the student time and space to be able to understand their mistake and fix it. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am a lifelong lover of music and I started playing guitar at the age of ten. Almost 18 years later and I find myself attending Berklee College of Music, where I study an array of musical subjects. I am proficient in guitar techniques ranging from rock to jazz and even classical. I am also adept at music theory composition in both contemporary and classical practices, as well as songwriting, ear training and music production. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Ukulele Acoustic Guitar

Since my graduate degree days 25 years ago , I have been steadily teaching both as a private instructor, and in classroom situations... I'll confess that, while group lessons do foster an energy that can be exciting, the reality of dividing my teaching attention between multiple students is not quite as exciting at putting ALL my effort and attention int one private student! As a choir director, I not only have the opportunity to teach "voice," but "musicality," and I find that to be an highly satisfying experience! Read More

Instruments: Guitar

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, as I began teaching private lessons part time a 5 years ago, and have been consistently teaching students in my home studio for the last 5 years. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the guitar. My students are encouraged to enter competitions and recitals, as well as work on composing their own original material, so they can feel good about their accomplishments and stay motivated to learn. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching method for complete beginners is to take examples from method books such as the Aaron Shearer method book, and apply it so that the student can become accustomed to using their fingers to pluck and frets strings. After they get a sense of how to use their hands on the instrument, I would automatically start teaching pieces. I believe that pieces are the most practical way to learn an instrument because first, playing pieces is the goal that we want to achieve in the first place and second, I believe that all of the techniques that are needed when playing an instrument are all included in pieces. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion

Jake has been playing guitar and percussion for over 20 years. He teaches all levels of guitar and congas, as well as beginning piano, voice and drum set. He went to Berkeley High School where he played guitar in the BHS Jazz Ensemble. He then attended the New School in New York City, majoring in jazz guitar studies. He has studied jazz guitar with Steve Erquiaga, Dave Creamer and Jack Wilkins, and congas with Josh Jones, Sandy Perez and other Cuban percussionists. Read More