Guitar Lessons Washington

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Clarinet, Bass Guitar, Organ, Ukulele, Mandolin, Recorder, Double Bass, Keyboard, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar

On guitar my goal is that the student can read in first position, play chords for five major keys and three minor, and to be able to improvise with a pentatonic scale. I start with the Noad beginning classical guitar book and the Guitar Workshop finger-style book (Hal Leonard). I also use various Hal Leonard and Mel Bay books depending on the genre the student is interested in. I use similar methods when teaching mandolin or bass. Read More

Instruments: Guitar, Flute, Ukulele, Piccolo, Electric Guitar

For all of my students, I try to incorporate a sense of body awareness and finding ways of learning that are the most comfortable and fitting for their specific needs. I believe strongly in practicing efficiently and relaxed.  For beginning flute students, I am to work on developing a sound, using Trevor Wye's Omnibus Books 1-5 and my own long tones: later moving on to scales and basic short pieces and etudes. Read More

Instruments: Guitar, Voice, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar

For students who are starting brand new with little to no experience, I usually try to gauge their interests and music goals and build a practice plan specifically tailored to fit their needs. In my past experience some students of mine like to learn theory right away in which case I teach out of Mel Bay Method One and start with basic scales, chords, exercises, etc. (I can always send a link to order the book). Read More

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Drums

I am a very hands-on teacher. We do lots of improvisation and call and response games and sometimes I turn on a record or even bring a guitar to jam with the student. Playing drums is a very visceral, tactile excersize, and I often tell students, "That right there,that is how it's supposed to sound! Memorize that feeling and try to recreate it everytime." I am also a huge advocate of having students listen to as much music as possible. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Mandolin, Double Bass, Music, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar

For any age, music teachers have to be firm but patient. Sometimes, it's hard to stay on track when doing something rote or outside your comfort zone, and I am very understanding of that (as someone who begged my mom to let me quit piano lessons as an elementary schooler). Patience is, above all else, the essential virtue of music teaching! Without that, music lessons can be very frustrating for teachers, students, and parents alike. Read More