FAQ
I like to teach my students how to read music, though most people forgo learning this skill because depending on their goals, it can be a bit of a long and tedious process. If you want to be a guitar player that plays in a pit band for a musical, on a cruise ship, or a session player (recording studios sometimes hire musicians to record on tracks that they're working on for recording artists), learning to read music is a MUST. But beyond that, many beginner guitar players feel that learning to read music is not entirely necessary for them. To each their own!
​An average guitar lesson is a dynamic and personalized experience tailored to each student's skill level, interests, and goals.​ Here's what you can typically expect:
We begin by tuning the guitar and discussing any progress or challenges since the last lesson. A brief review of previous material helps reinforce learning and set the stage for new concepts. My lessons focus on essential skills such as chord transitions, strumming patterns, and fingerpicking techniques. Custom exercises are created to address specific challenges or goals of each student. These might include simplified versions of difficult passages or focused drills for techniques that pose issues. Students have opportunities to perform what they've learned, receiving constructive feedback. This helps build confidence and identifies areas for improvement. Lessons often include time for improvisation or songwriting, encouraging musical creativity. We might explore different playing styles or genres to broaden the student's musical horizons. Each lesson concludes with setting clear, achievable goals for the coming week. Specific practice assignments are given, often with supporting materials like chord charts or video/audio recordings. Lessons are flexible, adapting to the student's energy levels and interests on any given day. We incorporate fun elements like musical games or technology (e.g., apps for slowing down songs) to keep lessons engaging.
My specialty is teaching and learning Rock & Roll music (classic rock, indie rock, grunge, hard rock, punk rock, blues rock, heavy metal, etc.), but I have a broad range of knowledge that spans across most genres including Pop, Funk, Jazz and Country music. I welcome students to bring me any songs from any style/genre (even if there is no audible guitar in the track), as long as there are pitches occurring in the tune, we can make attempts at creating our own guitarized version!
I do teach music theory. The name may sound intimidating, but music theory is really just a labeling system which aids musicians in categorizing specific intervals/chords/melodies/rhythms that they may or may not like. This method of organization is a way to help inform a player of what their ears might enjoy hearing.
If you or your child sets aside time and money to learn any instrument, I would recommend doing at least some practice and/or homework. It entirely depends on your goals week to week.
If you're content just learning and playing exclusively in front of me each week, that's perfectly fine, but I try to encourage at least a few 5 minute chunks of practice per day that can and most often does open up a whole new world of fun musically! I try to make suggestions on how to best accomplish some type of weekly progress.
*As a rule of thumb, try to pick up and put down your guitar as many times per day as you possibly can. The more times you put your fingertips to the fretboard the faster you will see improvement. In my opinion, it's not as important how long you practice but how many times you make attempts.
*Not all practice is created equal, not every practice session needs to be hyper stringent and focused (though there is nothing wrong with this method of practice). I suggest a varied attitude going into each practice session. For example, pick up your guitar while watching TV sometimes and just strum casually. Experiment with a sense of child-like wonder and forget all the "rules" sometimes! Then maybe two or three times a day pick it up and put in some serious focus into the goals that you want to accomplish. The bottom line is to spend as much time with your instrument as possible and to HAVE FUN!
I have taught many young students over the past 10 years that span all ages, including special needs students. I have run music therapy groups, after-school music programs, and performed for pre-k classrooms before I started teaching formally. I, myself, am still a bit of a child, so I have a strong bond with kids, as we generally think similarly!
For younger, smaller students I would recommend trying out half or three-quarter sized guitars first. As far as what kind of guitar, it is entirely up to the student as to which type of guitar they are interested in playing (it's usually dictated by the style of music they are into). Many beginners find that an electric guitar is a bit easier on their fingers when first starting out compared to a steel string acoustic guitar, though I have taught beginners on a steel string acoustic as well. A nylon string acoustic guitar could also be a good option for beginners as the strings are a little easier to work with, but I would recommend going to a music store and picking out a guitar for you or the potential student to see what kind of guitar motivates you/them to want to play.
I would highly suggest purchasing a guitar as opposed to renting. If you rent a guitar and you or your child end up really liking the rental, it's a sad state of affairs when it's time to give it back! And there's no guarantee that you will find the same one that has the same feel! My suggestion is to jump in with both feet and make the commitment to the instrument, save up some money and make that purchase! :)
I do not offer refunds. I look at each lesson slot as an important commitment, much like a doctor's appointment. It means that I have reserved time exclusively for you, and that's what you are paying for. I do require a 24–48-hour cancellation notice with a rescheduled lesson to be attended within a month's time or you will be charged.
There are several ways to support your child during the learning process. Setting up a practice schedule that suits the student's attention span is a great start. This could mean requiring them to pick up the guitar just 3 times within the 3 hours after they get home from school, with no rules, just to explore and experiment with the instrument and then requiring 10 minutes every other day of focused, goal-oriented practice that is rewarded with a sticker system, treats, or maybe a special prize when they reach a milestone depending on their age and how important progress is to you as the parent or guardian. We can work together to figure out an appropriate system for you and your child's unique situation. Feel free to text or call any time during the day for advice or input and I will get back to you as soon as I am able to.