Guitar Lessons in Southeast Magnolia, WA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin

I teach for several different schools in the Seattle area in addition to Musika. I've taught mandolin to an elderly woman who wanted to sing German folk songs to her grandkids, I've taught piano and ukulele to kindergartners, I've helped teenagers write their own songs and perform them to peers, and I've helped dads in their thirties to relive the glory days of Shoegaze and Grunge. With all of these students, I've helped them love the subtle, intricate, surprising parts of music and how to not only play music, but have their life enriched by it and share that with others. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

And I definitely see music as being a hugely sacred and spiritual act that humans have been doing forever, and not just something that's taught in schools and done to win competitions or have careers, so I can relate to people's emotional connections to music and explore that side as well. Being able to express musically is a joy, and so my approach is to foster an engagement with it, and focus on your unique relationship with music, rather than forcing people to follow obligatory structures. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I have played the guitar my entire life and never lost my love for it (even when I tried!). I have a bachelor’s degree in guitar from Wichita State University where I studied with jazz guitar legend Jerry Hahn (Rolling Stone magazine called him one of the top 3 jazz guitarists in the world). From there I traveled to Hollywood, CA where I attended G.I.T. at the Musicians Institute. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Ukulele Recorder Orchestral Percussion Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students, I strive to teach the basics of music theory while learning the fundamentals of producing characteristic tone on their instrument. I typically start by working through the Essential Elements method book and introduce solos, ensembles, and orchestral excerps when appropriate. If the student is a part of a school or community ensemble, I work with the student on any pieces that their ensemble is preparing for performance. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar

For students who have played an instrument prior to our lessons, I try and shape a curriculum entirely based upon the specific goals of the student, and I rarely use text books although I use a lot of exercises and educational material when appropriate.  I feel learning to play and transcribe songs and solos to increase a students self reliance and confidence is my most important job.  Most students come to me looking for structure so I try and provide a clear path to their goals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Recorder Double Bass Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

With younger students, I focus on rhythm, simple ear training, and light reading. I will gradually introduce harmony and more intensive ear and rhythmic studies as the student progresses. I think it is important for students to apply their knowledge through performance opportunities and songwriting. Every student is different, of course, but we should all be able to leave lessons with the ability to excel and learn on our own. Read More