I tailor my program to the needs of each student. All of my people study the music they are interested in, and we use that focus to learn more about the guitar and music in general. No two of them are getting exactly the same lessons at the same time.

Since you’ve chosen the guitar or the bass to be your instrument, the first phase of lessons is mainly about building the skills and knowledge you need, so that you have the right tools to understand how to learn. If you can’t play well enough, you won’t be able to learn the songs you like, jam, write your own songs, join a band, or achieve any of your other musical goals. So this foundation is a big key to your progress and success. We always stress the fundamentals.

Everyone has their own ways of learning, and their own unique mix of natural strengths and weaknesses. We all need the same basic skills and information, but we acquire them in our own way, and in our own time. There are many paths to the goal of being a competent musician. Helping you find your best path is one of the biggest parts of my job.

Unlike many teachers with my experience, I am happy to work with beginners, and do so much of the time.

So why do you need me? Maybe because 50-plus years of playing, composing, performing, and recording have given me a humungous “flashlight” to shine down the musical path you hope to take. If you really want to be a better player and will work at it, I will show you how to get there. I’m just about full-service: I teach many different musical styles, acoustic and electric, pick or fingers, any level from total beginner to working pro, reading and theory, tips on gear, recording…been there, done that, still doing it every day, and well enough to make my living at it all of my adult life. Contact me, it’s more than likely that I can help you.

Learning at different ages

For kids: I get asked about this a lot. Generally kids should not start before the ages of 7 or 8. Their hands are too small and they have very little patience. Get a cheap guitar or even a ukulele and see how the kid treats it. If playing isn’t a serious interest yet, the guitar will wind up in the corner or under the bed in a few days.

If the guitar becomes your kid’s new best friend, though, it might be time to start lessons. Any program for kids has to be well-worked out, so that they can score a few early successes and build the confidence they’ll need to keep working.

For adults: Adults are the fastest-growing group among my students, and I am having a lot of fun with that. Don’t worry about being too old to learn. Most adults have developed good problem-solving skills and know how to organize their time, and these are huge advantages. Everyone, younger or older, finds that they have to practice more than they’d hoped they would need to. Adults often progress more quickly than kids because they are more focused and experienced learners.

Certified safe! And, if you’re wondering, as of Fall 2017, I have passed all the state and federal police record and child abuse checks. You’re safe with me!