Guitar Lessons in Van Nuys, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Flute Drums Bass Guitar Organ Electric Violin Double Bass

I've been teaching for over 10 years full time. But I've been involved with teaching and leading musical groups and bands for nearly 25 years. I have thought kids from 3 years of age to teens to young adults to elders over 80 years old. I have over ten years of experience teaching in the private sector as a music instructor. I have plenty of experience working one-on-one with students with zero musical knowledge to prodigies. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Mallet Percussion

I really work hard to customize the lessons to each student, discussing with them (or their parent) what their goals are.  For beginning students who are children, I use a few great books, some of which I even learned out of when I took my first lessons at age 6. For older students, I try to be open to any material they're intrested in.  If a student  is set on learning to play Beach Boys songs, we don't spend so much time on the classic technique and rudiments BUT over the last 15 years I've developed a system of incorporating fundamentals into practical application that gets my students playing real songs right away while improving technique. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Harmonica Banjo Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I use Alfreds guitar method books for guitar and bass.  Piano I use the Bastian and others.  I teach from both my song books, and by thier cd or audio tracks.  I teach each student individually and move them forward to performance level. I teach how to read music and music ear training.  Theory training is also available at lessons as needed. Once I get the student past the basics on to intermediate level, I can listen to cd or audio recordings and reproduce the instrumental part on the spot. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

Every single one of my lessons is individualized and focused on YOU and what YOU want to learn. Of course, there are things that I encourage such as posture and proper technique, among many others, yet I will always have a focus on MUSIC and helping you get to wherever you need to learn, not by theory alone but through putting what we learn into practice. I understand that some students want to learn the instruments themselves but without the context of how they function in music, I feel I would be doing them a disservice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Banjo Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

So we study chords and rhythms, as they relate to the songs the client enjoys. I like to insert a five to ten minute practice before digging into the main lesson. This involves playing scales or running chord progressions or learning about, for example, the circle of 5ths or 4ths. I do teach more advanced levels, in which we learn how to substitute chords and arrange songs. I alwyas build goals into a program as it feels really good to achieve and move on to the next goal! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style is generally laid back. I believe that a student will only work as hard as they want to, and I have little control over that. I focus more on finding out what will make the student want to work hard, rather than forcing them to study something that does not interest them. It's all about getting the student to have a positive musical experience. That being said, I do my best to hold my students accountable, but try to do so in an encouraging way vs. a nagging and controlling way. Read More