Guitar Lessons in Vallejo, CA

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass

I have for the past twenty-two years been working as a Music Educator, Administrator, Jazz composer and performer. The last eleven of those years have been in the San Francisco Bay area at Oakland School for the Arts, teaching and leading large jazz ensembles, orchestra, small groups and music theory classes for grades 6-12. As Chairman of the Instrumental Music Department, I was responsible for teaching and developing music curricula, developing new programs, recruiting and auditioning new students, presenting and speaking with incoming parent groups, writing and developing the school A-G requirements, and meeting with community schools and faculty to create meaningful collaborations. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I like to focus on the music with a relaxed approach and help create a positive and supportive environment with apatient, easy going manner. I'm comfortable going over small sections of music, looking at new material, exercises, practicing songs, explaining concepts that help the student gain insight and improve on the guitar. For assessment purposes I like toask a few questions pertaining to the music, styles and particular artists that the student has an interest in to shape a individual lesson with custom material.I believe inemphasizing musicianship and practical aspects of learning guitar while realizing that aspirations, inspiration and individual creativity are so important.Music lessons areenjoyable! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I've blended my methods with a response to each student I work with by requesting their trust, listening to their places of comfort and interest in playing music, and discovering new avenues of development with the student. I encourage them to draw from those areas in our sessions as we develop our repertoire and enhance individual growth from there. For beginners I tend to start with either Standard of Excellence books or Rubank and build custom practices from there. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Double Bass

For beggining students and especially children I will start with books such as the Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has graped the fundamentals of musical theory and scales , we will begin to introduce a solo repertoire appropriate for skill set and age. For adults I simply try to find what the studenet is interested in, and guide my instruction accordinglu to keep the lessons fun and engaging, no matter their ability level! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

For beginning to intermediate guitar players, I would suggest learning some of the fundamentals and basics from Hal Leonard's Guitar Method Complete Edition - Books 1 2 and 3 (bound together in one volume). As the student develops a better understanding of music and a better ability to play it, I would then work on finding them a piece of music that challenges their knowledge and technique, yet also a piece of music that they would want to play, and that they would be passionate about learning. Read More

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 Music Electric Guitar

Nothing is more rewarding than helping students strengthen their passion for music. We all have a talent or two, and to develop as an artist, a student must understand it takes time, and knowing how to keep yourself motivated when something is challenging. As a music teacher who's an active artist, song-writer, and educator, it becomes important to remind students to set kind, achievable goals. My style involves helping you keep track of your own progress, and realizing music is an ever expanding flow of sonic energy. Read More