Guitar is one of the most fun instruments to play.  No other instrument is as useful in pop, rock, folk, and country music.  Its portability is a great asset; unlike a piano, it can be carried anywhere (vacations, camping trips, boating outings, parties, etc.)  Unlike brass, woodwind, and orchestral string instruments, it can stand on its own and doesn't need anything else to sound good.  It is fantastic for composing and for accompanying yourself when singing songs.  There are many different styles of guitar playing for a variety of genres (e.g., finger picking vs. strumming with a pick).  There are also many different kinds of guitars that produce a wide variety of tones.

Playing guitar is wonderful "therapy".  Even though I absolutely love to play the piano, when I want to relax and just enjoy myself, I pick up my Taylor!

METHOD:

There are many excellent guitar teachers in the valley.  So why choose me?  Two reasons.  First, you'll be playing songs you like, right from the beginning.  Songs you WANT to play: brand new songs that you've heard on the radio; classic songs from composers like Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and James Taylor; country songs; rock songs; you name it.  In most cases, you can pick the song you want to learn.  Second, because I emphasize music theory in addition to technique.  I don't just teach you how to play a song, I teach you chord theory so you will understand why each chord is named what it is and how the chord progression is structured.  I prepare you to play in bands, to play by ear, and to compose and arrange your own songs.  My methods make practicing fun, while also making you a knowledgeable and well-rounded musician.

I specialize in James Taylor style finger picking, but am equally competent using a pick, and I teach both.

RECOMMENDED GUITARS FOR STUDENTS:

If you are planning to purchase a guitar, be sure to link below one of my pages on buying an acoustic or electric guitar, and read it.  Even if you are not planning to buy a guitar, there is information at the end on equipment and an app that I recommend you purchase to help you with your lessons.

INSTRUCTOR:

and a 2020 Taylor 717e Grand Pacific Builders Edition (my main acoustic guitar that I use when accompanying myself singing, including for Relic and most solo performances (below).  This is my favorite all-around guitar that I've ever played in my life.

I also own a 2015 Agile AL-3200MCC "LP" style electric guitar with custom coil cut and phase reverse switching and Pyramid hand-wound, round-core, pure nickel strings (below) that I play through a Fender Mustang III digital modeling amplifier that I have programmed to very accurately imitate many different classic tube amplifiers.  On electric guitar, I specialize in classic rock guitar songs from the golden era of electric guitar -- the 1970s and 1980s -- but can teach any song you want to learn.


CHOOSING THE RIGHT ACOUSTIC GUITAR STRINGS

CHANGING GUITAR STRINGS

CLEANING, POLISHING AND MAINTAINING YOUR GUITAR

TAKING CARE OF YOUR GUITAR (humidity and temperature)

ADJUSTING YOUR GUITAR'S TRUSS ROD

SETTING UP AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR (advanced)

SETTING UP AN ELECTRIC GUITAR (advanced)

PROBLEMS WITH TUNING A GUITAR (theoretical/advanced)

UNDERSTANDING GUITAR AMPLIFIERS AND PA SYSTEMS:
    Watts, Volts, Ohms, Amps, & Volume made easy (theoretical/advanced)

SELECTING A MICROPHONE

SELECTING A PA SYSTEM

CONTACT ME

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