Music Lessons in South San Francisco, CA

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For all of my students, I like to blend what they need to know and what they want to know. I find that especially teaching guitar, learning it is very goal oriented. My students and I always come up with their goals during each lesson so they can have something to work up to for each week. Practice does make perfect, so I do strongly encourage practicing at least a couple hours a day. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Hi everyone! My name is Cole and I've always had a great passion for music. In elementary school, I played violin and trumpet, later switching to baritone and euphonium in middle school. It wasn't until high school that I finally landed on guitar after my best friend bought me a cheap Stratocaster for my birthday. I graduated from the University of the Pacific with a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and a minor in Psychology back in 2022. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For Piano: I usually start with the Alfred's Basic books and work my students through those lessons until they reach a point where I can begin to use other repertoire books with them to give them supplemental work. I always use scales as warm ups for the hands, even if they are very basic for new students. If someone is more experienced, I gauge their level of experience and interests to help determine exercises and repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

Stiffness is the enemy of piano playing and it can also cause harm to tendons, ligaments, etc.... I always give exercises to illustrate the different "touches" (finger dexterity, legato, staccato, singing-tone, octaves, etc...) used in playing the piano. It is also very important to have a good sense of musical style - baroque, classical, romantic, modern, etc... I focus on being as true as possible in honoring what I believe to be the wishes of the composer. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice

For voice, I like to start with making sure the placement is good and that the tone begin produced is nice and full. After that working on moving smoothly though notes while keeping the voice aligned, handling vowels and consonants, and gradually extending range. Repertoire is used to help support the lessons and gradually increases with the ability of the student. For guitar, in either the styles that use a flatpick or the finger-styles, I like to build a library of chords and progressions linked to an understanding of keys and scales (music theory). Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Double Bass

I began teaching music in 2004 while working in a guitar shop in nothern California. While I have mostly focused on writing music and performing, I am a passionate teacher and use the many great teachers I have had as a backdrop to my teaching style. I like to explore many aspects in music which include songwriting production and analysis. I currently teach privately in my Pacifica home and studio. I hold a BA in music from San Francisco State University with a focus in jazz studies on guitar. Read More