METHOD

My Pedagogy

Fundamentals are key.
My method is all about establishing a solid foundation of the fundamentals of the western musical system, showing you how the guitar works with and relates to that system, and then teaching you to use those paired understandings to artfully create or re-create anything you hear out in the world, in your head, or in your heart. I've developed an entirely unique holistic approach to teaching music in general and the guitar in particular: I believe it to be superior to all others, and I am super stoked to share it with you!

Listening is everything.
Rhythm, strumming, and chords are all key, but the one skill that rules them all is also the most basic. If you can listen it - really listen - then you're more than halfway there.

Everyone is different.
No two people learn in exactly the same way and all of us - whether or not we're aware of it - develop our own unique perspectives and contexts for understanding and relating to music. As a music teacher, my first job is to figure out what you do and don't already understand and how you look at, relate to, and contextualize what you know. Then I work to suss out your innate talents and hidden skills, whatever they may be, aand train you to play to those strengths to help you better reach your goals.

My Support

Learning to play the guitar is serious fun, but it also takes serious work - much of which happens outside of class when you're working on your own. This is where even the most well-meaning folks can falter, because knowing that dedication and discipline are oh-so-important doesn't keep them from feeling like four-letter words. I don't believe it has to be this way, nor do I believe that my job as your teacher stops at the end of our lessons.

That's why I record every lesson I teach and then post that video, along with lesson notes, homework reminders, and more, to private, password-protected pages right here on this this website. Every one of my regular students gets one, and they can be accessed from the "Student Pages" section of my website's navigation.

My Pledge

I will always be prepared for your lesson, and I will always do my utmost to ensure that your experience is worthwhile, engaging, rewarding, and fun.

My Space

This bit's a work in progress due to my move in February to East Oakland and then, five months later, back to Emeryville. Let's just say that East Oakland and I did not see eye to eye.

I've been in my new space now for a week and I am absolutely loving it, but the space itself is still very much a work in progress, as I'm sure you can understand.

What hasn't changed is this:

• You'll still find outlets and charging cables within easy reach if you need to top up devices during class.
• I still have lots of guitars, pedals, and amps here for you to use during in person lessons.
• You're still more than welcome to some still or sparkling water and a nice, hot cuppa.

My Rates

My Hours