Guitar Lessons in Sublimity, OR

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I love watching students learn and develop a passion for music. I love to inspire each individual student. I think it’s important to relate to each student in their own way so they each can thrive. I like to set goals during each lesson that are practical, yet give the student a feeling of accomplishment when reached. Goals are important to keep driving you forward and developing your skill. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I like the aphorism by British guitarist and educator Robert Fripp "We begin where we are". It means to me that at any given point we are all beginners. So if we come with an open mind to explore and learn something new, perhaps what it could be challenging might become easier if we apply the right mind set. So if we are learning a scale...perhaps we begin with a note at the time, then add a second and third, so on, until we have all eight notes or sixteen. - Slow down: If you want to play fast you gotta be able to play it slowly with accuracy and precision. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer

I feel that if a student is just banging away at notes without getting the big picture of how everything works it can be frustrating and fruitless. I like to teach as we play a song. I think you are able to benefit by using the theory and techniques as the song progresses. I can teach out of a book if the student/parent would prefer. I do customize songs to the age and interests of the student. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele

The approach I use to advance student learning is fun and laid back - yet direct and studious. I believe in the power of mentoring students and adults. Every student is different and has their own way of learning and growing, even as we get older. There is always room for improvement. At your first lesson we can talk about what makes sense in terms of practice week to week and will continue to see what it takes as time goes on. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

With new students, my first goal is to surmise what they have learned thus far. I then "fill in the gaps" to get them up to speed, which depending on their skill level, can take one lesson or many lessons. For younger students who need more inspiration to be able to do that sort of catch-up work, I attempt to balance the fun with the learning. Learning instrument technique can be tedious, so I do my best to help my students be aware of their weaknesses and play to their strengths, to work smarter, not always harder. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Conga Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

Before earning my bachelor's degree in K-12 Music Education in 2020, I held a longtime position as a tenor vocalist and choral leader with First Christian Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and post-degree as a K-12 music teacher in dual-language immersion public schools and technology-focused charter schools in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Currently, I reside in Oregon's Willamette Valley, and deliver private lessons throughout the South Portland metropolitan area for a variety of instruments. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele

I generally split lessons into three sections, 1/3 with chords, 1/3 scales, 1/3 with songs, but every student is different, for example, If your goal is to strictly learn chords to sing folks songs over, I will emphasize more chord reading and learning time. If you want to play leads, I will spend more time emphasizing scales to help you learn how to improvise. There are also other excercises we can do like rhythm reading (just with clapping, no instrument) transcription/listening, and harmonic analysis. Read More