Pedagogy

My Method

My method is all about establishing within you a rock-solid understanding of the western musical system, enlightening you as to how the fretboard interfaces with that system, and instilling within you a small, comprehensive, and logical tools that that you can

In short, I teach you how to use what you know to figure out what you don’t know.

If I had to summarize my approach to teaching, it would be demystification.

There’s a lot of apocryphal information

Create opportunities for discoveries and then guide students through those discoveries.

The internet is brimming with well-meaning folks w

My approach to working with you will In a word: demystification.

I only use one mnemonic. I rarely use sheet music. I never use tab.

My approach to working with one student may differ wildly from how I might work with another, but if I

My approach to working with one student may differ wildly from how I might work with another, but I've found the following three simple statements to be damned near universal:

If you can understand it, you can begin to relate to it.
If you can relate to it, you can engage with it.
When you engage with it, you begin to contextualize it.
As you contextualize it, you begin to understand it.
As your understanding deepens, you begin to gain mastery of it.

can begin to master it.
If you master it, then you become fluent.

I never use tablature.

I can show you how to read it if you really insist, but I do

I rarely use sheet music.

Fundamentals are key.

My method is all about establishing within you a rock-solid understanding of the western musical system, enlightening you as to how the fretboard interfaces with that system, and instilling within you a small, comprehensive, and logical tools that that you can

In short, I teach you how to use what you know to figure out what you don’t know.

Demystifying music theory.
Demystifying the fretboard.

works with and relates to that system, and then guiding you as you learn 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.

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. I suss out your innate talents and hidden skills, whatever they may be, and play to those strengths to stretch you toward your goals.

Student Pages

You will get your own, private, password-protected Student Page right here on this website.

My Rates

My Hours

My Location