415-508-6557
Musika Quick Stats
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
- Have questions? Check out our
- FAQ
- CONTACT US
-
![call-icon]()
415-508-6557
Lesson Special - Up to 20% OFF! Get Started Now with a Risk-Free Trial!
Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Guitar lessons in San Francisco . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Drums Ukulele Recorder Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar
The key ingredient to learning is interest. I believe that my students need to have an interest in what they are playing so that they can keep their minds and spirits engaged. Rudiments require attention and practice, but there is much more to learning an instrument than just technique; passion also needs nurturing. If a student is really in to Star Wars, for example, I will gladly incorporate the 'Imperial March' into their rudimentary studies. Read More
Instruments: Guitar
My teaching experience goes back to the late seventies where I started to teach kids in the neighborhood the guitar. As I got older and more knowledgeable about jazz and blues, I taught on a part time basis shareing what I was learning through my own studies with my students. Now many years later I have an excellent knowledge of the guitar and want to teach students how to completely understand it. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Keyboard Acoustic Guitar
I can accompany the student with the guitar or piano. For beginners in piano, I will typically begin with the Faber workbook. If they have their own workbook that they would like to work from, I will work with that. I teach Circle of Fifths as an early tool to cultivate an understanding of harmonic language, and make it as simple and easy as possible, until the basics become engrained. Read More
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: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I always say that rhythm is more important than the notes. Play the right rhythm and the notes will come instead of playing every right note while sacrificing rhythm. I encourage students to make their mistakes loud, proud, and in rhythm so everyone has a better idea of what needs to be worked on most. I also emphasize isolating parts to practice and working backwards. Example: play the last two bars of the song until comfortable with it, now play the last 4 bars, last 6, last 8...etc., whole song. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar
I have worked as a professional musician for over 25 years. I have performed with members of the Doobie Brothers, Grateful Dead, David Grisman Quintet, Galactic and many others. I have performed on guitar, bass, drums, mandolin and keyboards. I have performed across the country at festivals, theaters and smaller venues like cafes and restaurants. I also have 20+ years experience in the music "business," as radio deejay, music journalist for the New York Times, manager of a guitar store, sales rep for a drum manufacturer, and guitar instructor UCSC. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
I believe the more practice the better... but it may be a good idea to not put too much pressure on yourself (or your student). Instead of thinking you need to practice 30-60 minutes every day, just think about sitting down and up picking up your instrument for 10 minutes... 10 minutes of focused practice of lesson material will be beneficial. And there is a pretty good chance 10 minutes turns into 15, 20, 30, or more... And this will be easier to achieve without the overwhelming pressure of having to practice for hours, and hours.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
If your child can sit still, be attentive, and try his/her best to do what the teacher is showing, they can be ready and able to do lessons. But the child has to be interested and excited about learning to play the instrument. Students and parents should realize it takes hard work and dedication to become proficient on an instrument such as guitar. There will be pain in the finger tips, mental fatigue and self-doubt... The student must have the mental strength to overcome such obstacles. And the desire must come from within.
When will I start to see results?
Typically every student is different and rate of progress is directly proportional to the amount of time spent practicing. If the progress is coming slow take a look at how much they are practicing. If week nights are busy and they don't have enough time to practice, parents should help students manage their time so they have enough time to finish school homework and get at last ten minutes of focused practice per day. You really have to treat music class like any other class you take in school. Study and learn and practice everyday and you will see progress. It can often take 1-2 years to become proficient and adept at playing songs well. But again it depends on the students' determination, perseverance, and desire to pick up the instrument. The desire cannot be forced and must come from within.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I suppose my Father inspired me to play by having guitars and playing while I was growing up. I saw how much fun and enjoyment he had when playing music alone or with friends. I began taking guitar class in Junior High School and playing along with my Dad and his friends. I think it was the challenge of mastering guitar itself that inspired me to keep working and learning. I didn't even think about it. It seems I was naturally drawn to it. I had the determination to learn what to do and then practice it until it sounded good.
I also learned that playing songs over and over for fun is also good practice. The repetition will help you master chord fingering, chord changes, and rhythm patterns. Studying the composition of a song will give you insights to what chords sound good together and what kind of dynamics can be used over the course of a song. With a general understanding of the basics, you can take what you've learned and begin to create your own sounds. The sky is the limit for musical creativity and that's what truly inspires me.
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Guitar lessons in San Francisco to students of all ages and abilities.
We'll then reach out to the teachers for you.
Schedule the risk-free trial lesson directly with the teacher.
Continue with that teacher or try someone else.
