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Lessons for
Beginning Guitarists
YOUTH & ADULTS
“You can't build a great building on a weak foundation. You must have a solid foundation if you're going to have a strong superstructure.”
~ Gordon B. Hinckley
~ Gordon B. Hinckley
Start your music studies on the right note! Working with an experienced, skilled, and dedicated guitar instructor can mean the difference between struggling to learn or learning to play well. A good instructor will make complex ideas accessible, break down difficult tasks into easy steps, nudge you in the right direction when you are veering off course, and draw out the best in you and help you discover the possibilities you are capable of achieving.
If you're reading this,
I already know a few things about you...
I already know a few things about you...
Music moves you. Deeply. You've probably been thinking about signing up to take music lessons for a while and you're getting serious about learning to play the guitar well—you want to be a music-maker—and you want to have fun doing so.
I work with both the young and young-at-heart. My 35+ years of teaching experience has taught me that students have the most fun when they are truly developing their skills and expanding upon their knowledge of music.
“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.”
~ Pablo Picasso
~ Pablo Picasso
You will learn a wide range of repertoire associated with the classical and acoustic guitar, basic musicianship skills, music notation literacy, good body mechanics, proper left- and right-hand technique, and even a little about the history of the guitar. Regardless of the level you aspire to, I guide you to establish and build upon a solid foundation of musical abilities and technical skills that allow you to enjoy playing. A simple piece played well is enjoyable to everyone who listens, and there is something incredibly satisfying when you possess the skill and freedom to perform at your best.
Lessons are one-on-one in order to give you the individual attention needed to develop your unique set of gifts as well as tailor your lessons to your interests and needs. Working with an experienced and passionate teacher can lead to a life-long appreciation and enjoyment of music.
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
~ Pele
~ Pele
There is no “magic bullet!”
I wish there was but they just don't exist, at least when it comes to learning a musical instrument. I don’t offer you quick solutions, and I can’t guarantee your success – only you can do that, through your commitment, hard work, consciousness, and passion.
However, I can guarantee you my support and guidance every step of the way. My commitment to you is to work with you through a series of weekly lessons where you will discover your own creativity and expand your knowledge, skills, and musicianship as it pertains to the guitar.
If you would like more information, have questions, or are interested in studying music as it pertains to the guitar, please do not hesitate to contact me or simply click on the link below to register.
Schedule Your Free 30-Minute Consultation Lesson
A consultation lesson benefits both of us! It will give you an opportunity to meet me and check out my studio, gauge whether my personality meshes with yours, as well as consider the different options regarding a program of study. The consultation lesson will also give me the opportunity to learn a little more about your musical interests and aspirations, review your musical history, assess your current skill level, and present some informed recommendations regarding your studies.
Establish a Strong Base for Developing Lifelong Musical Skills
The strongest and deepest musical foundation is built by a comprehensive and structured program of study. Although counter-intuitive, a structured methodology facilitates and enhances one's creativity. Equally important, a step-by-step approach leads to independent learning, giving you the freedom to follow your musical interests.
"The guitar is the easiest instrument to play and the hardest to play well."
~ Andres Segovia
~ Andres Segovia
Study with an Experienced Professional Dedicated to the Craft of Teaching Music
If you want to learn to play the guitar—and play it well—having an experienced and gifted teacher can expedite the process and save you a lot of missteps, disappointment, and frustration. Progress leads to enjoyment. Enjoyment leads to deeper engagement, which leads to inspiration. Inspiration leads to motivation and motivation, in turn, leads to progress and the cycle repeats. A qualified teacher will help you stay on track and keep the fun in the fun-damentals.
Experience Counts
Having worked with numerous youth and adult students over the years, I've learned that they are passionate, enthusiastic, and curious about the guitar and its music. An experienced instructor will help you harness that energy and make sure it has direction and focus. There is nothing worse than working hard at doing the wrong things. In the end, it is up to you but working with an experienced teacher can make your journey a lot easier.
“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly; you’re doing something.”
~ Neil Gaiman
~ Neil Gaiman
Sign-up For A Free 30-Minute Consultation!
A consultation lesson benefits both of us! It will give you an opportunity to meet me and check out my studio, gauge whether my personality meshes with yours, as well as consider the different options regarding a program of study. The consultation lesson will also give me the opportunity to learn a little more about your musical interests and aspirations, review your musical history, assess your current skill level, and present some informed recommendations regarding your studies.
"There is a powerful driving force inside every human being that, once unleashed, can make any vision, dream, or desire a reality."
~ Anthony Robbins
~ Anthony Robbins
I ENJOY WORKING WITH ALL AGES AND LEVELS . . .
Beginner
If you are a parent interested in giving your son or daughter the lifetime gift of making music and bringing joy to themselves and those around them, find out more about music lessons for your child here.
Youth/Adult
Beginner
If you are new to the guitar (or maybe have tried to teach yourself or taken an online course but haven't made much progress) and you really want to establish a solid foundation on which to build your musical interests on, start here.
Intermediate
If you have acquired a certain level of musicianship, music reading skills, and technical proficiency (equivalent to RCM grade 3 - 7) but lack the training to tackle the repertoire you really want to learn to play, you can find out more here.
Advanced
If you are an advanced student (equivalent to RCM grade 8 or above) and want to elevate your playing to that next level, or you're considering studying music at a university or conservatory and want to prepare yourself for post-secondary studies, you can find out more here!
“As a beginner classical guitarist, I was struggling to develop proper technique and wasn’t getting the results that I wanted from my practice sessions. I was not sure if I was developing bad habits with my technique, or if I was playing appropriate pieces and exercises.
Lessons with Don helped me understand the fundamentals of guitar playing as well as develop better tone production with my right-hand. He also helped me put together an effective practice routine and showed me a number of great pieces to learn.
Don is knowledgeable, approachable, and friendly, and I am very glad I started lessons with him!”
Don is knowledgeable, approachable, and friendly, and I am very glad I started lessons with him!”
Daniel
Lawyer | Classical Guitar Aficionado
FAQ's
Do I teach online lessons?
I do! There are certain limitations to online lessons—especially for beginners—and one needs to be properly equipped for them to be successful, but they can be a valuable alternative when in-person lessons are not possible.
Is learning to read standard music notation important?
Absolutely! It is not about the reading itself that is important; it is the opportunities it provides you. Imagine walking into a library and not knowing how to read. There is a lot of information there but you are unable to access it without the skill of reading. Similarly, learning to read music gives you access to a whole lot of music. Reading is not the goal but a means to your music education.
Can I take music lessons every other week instead of every week?
Although it seems like a practical solution for a very busy schedule, bi-weekly lessons do not work in supporting steady progress—especially for beginners. Habits are formed very quickly and weekly feedback ensures that you don't permanently develop bad habits. Also, if you have a poor week of practicing, the weekly lesson can help you get back on track quickly.
How long will it take me to learn to play the guitar?
This is probably the most difficult question to answer. On the one hand, you "learn" to play the guitar in between your lessons. In other words, how well you practice during the week determines your progress (notice that I didn't say how much). On the other hand, we never really arrive or master the guitar so the adventure never really ends. That is what makes studying music and the guitar so interesting and exciting.
How much do I need to practice?
As much as you need to. This answer requires a bit of an explanation. It is not about putting in time as it is about getting stuff done. In each lesson, you are usually given two or three skills to practice during the week. Although you do not master a skill within a week, you need to develop the skill to a certainly level of competency in order to proceed to the next step. Some weeks, the new skill will be challenging and require a bit more of an investment for you to get it. In other weeks, the skill is not as difficult and you will acquire it more quickly. Everyone is different so it is impossible to say how much work each person will need to do in order to learn the skill.
Have more questions?
Contact FLGS
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need further information.