You've got the music in you. Get private lessons to bring it out!
Have you ever watched a rock band in concert, and dreamed that you could be up on that stage yourself? Have you ever had friends that jam together and wished you could join in? Do you want your son or daughter to learn to play that vintage guitar your dad gave you years ago?
It takes guts to try something new, especially if you didn’t start young. But playing an instrument is something that can be learned at any age. All you need is someone to help you:
Learn the correct techniques to play
Make the learning process as fun and easy as possible
Reach your musical goals quickly and efficiently
Why shouldn’t you learn how to make music? Sign up now for personalized instruction that maximizes your strengths and leads you down the path to becoming a musician yourself!
GETTING STARTED
If you want to learn to play the guitar, mandolin, banjo, bass guitar, or piano, you've come to the right place! The private lessons I offer are a half hour long and scheduled at a time that works in your weekly schedule best. In our first meeting, I'll assess any skills you already possess, discuss musical goals you wish to reach, and set a personalized course of action to help you become the instrumentalist you desire to be. I can also provide virtual lessons via Zoom upon request.
LEAD AND RHYTHM PLAYING
Learning some instruments like the guitar or mandolin require a two-fold approach, where the student focuses on learning to pick melodies or create/learn riffs (lead playing), and strumming/finger-picking chords (rhythm). Other instruments like the banjo combine both in the bluegrass "roll" or old time claw-hammer style. You'll learn elements of both melody and rhythm in your lessons, and are welcome to focus on the style that you like best as your tastes and skills develop. You'll also be introduced to basic music theory to help you better understand how scales and chords work together in various musical genres.
JAMMING WITH OTHERS
The best part about taking lessons from a private instructor is that you get to play in real time with someone else. If you're playing a lead line or creating patterns with notes of a scale, I'll accompany you. Or, you can accompany me with chords while I play lead. I also host a monthly music jam where you can get your feet wet playing with other students of the guitar, banjo, and mandolin. One of the best ways to learn is by jamming with others!
PRACTICE TIME
The most fundamental part of learning a musical instrument is prioritizing practice time. An instructor can give you the tools to succeed, but it is up to you to use those tools. To get the most out of your lessons, you must invest time in improving your playing skills. It's best to schedule pockets of time multiple days a week to see the best results.
WHY PRIVATE LESSONS ARE VALUABLE
I know from personal experience how important it is to begin your own musical journey with guidance from a music professional. That way, you will maximize your time, learn good habits from the start, and become the best instrumentalist possible.
I was thrilled when my parents enrolled me in a guitar class offered at a community college at age 14. While I’ll be forever grateful for that springboard into the world of playing instruments, I didn’t get much personal attention from the instructor, and then went on to teach myself classical guitar with books. When I enrolled in the music program at Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, Colorado, I learned from my private guitar professor that I had formed many bad habits.
No one had really observed my playing style, or given me personalized advice on the best way to finger a chord or passage. So essentially, I had to relearn many basics and form new habits. If I’d only had that personal instruction from the beginning of my journey, I would have been farther along than I actually was.
It’s with that experience in mind that I approach teaching instruments. I make sure my students have a good foundation to build upon, observe their style of playing, and correct anything that would hinder them from playing their best early on. I also talk to them about their musical aspirations, what music inspires them, and how we can incorporate that into their learning.