Guitar Lessons in Santa Clara, CA

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: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style is one of deep listening to the student in their musical process, and from this creating the conditions for them to expand into new dimensions of musicality. I am an expert in creative process, and love working with students especially on songwriting, composition, electronic music production, and other such creative domains. In addition, my professional work is focused on a leading edge of musical education that is just emerging and beginning to be understood: developing the listening faculty as a pathway to musical excellence; for as the perceptual foci is polished, so does the sensori-motor engagement discover new possibilities. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar

I always begin with an informal conversation to get to know your interests and music goals are. Depending on the instrument and objective, I might follow traditional curriculum, such as Hal Leonard or Alfred Music. In reality, every student has a different way to approach the music. My job as a teacher is finding out what makes you tick, and use that to cultivate your passion and develop a study practice. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For the last thirty-plus years my passion has been music. I read magazine articles and books on music theory. I compile lessons from various sources, to create personalized lesson material for each individual student. Im currently taking advanced lessons myself, and teaching 2-5 students weekly. I have been writing, recording, studying, and performing music consistently, for over twenty years. I have intermittently taught private guitar lessons over the same time period. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Double Bass

I try to cater my lesson style to the individual students desire and needs. I like to always incorporate the fundamentals of music and technique while exploring the material at hand.  Some key points I try to incorporate into my teaching are an understanding of:  rhythm, technique, playing from ear, improvisation, theory, and most importantly making music! I usually encourage my students to seek out music they like and specific songs they want to learn. Read More

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

From experience, these are all the basic tools a student needs to work on their fundamentals before diving into full fledged solo pieces for competitions. Beginning students have to start from the bottom. These students will start by learning how to hold the violin and the bow, for example, and slowly but surely get into reading music and eventually playing simple scales and melodies from an elementary book. Some adults, however, may be interested in learning an instrument because they want to play a song they love. 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