Teaching style/philosophy
I feel strongly about getting the student to understand what he or she is doing-not just go through the motions of doing it. I don’t consider that good teaching and would not feel as if I was earning your money if that’s all I did. I stress that it is far better to apply one’s knowledge to figure things out than to merely memorize things. In other words, I don’t give a student a fish. I teach them to catch fish! I have near infinite patience and am always trying to come up with practical applications for the student to use what they have learned so that they can feel like they are playing, rather than practicing. I constantly strive to become a better teacher. One thing I can say is that my students learn; no short cuts and no easy ways out. I tell my students that I will ask them far more questions than they will ever ask me because it makes them think, makes them pay attention, and most importantly, tells me how well they understand what we’re doing. Some parents have complimented me for this, saying they are glad that I teach “the right way”.
What you’ll learn
- An emphasis on fundamentals
- Notes
- Chords
- Strumming and picking techniques
- Reading music
- Scales
- Play along with recordings of “real music” as soon as possible
- Music theory
- Improvising
Lessons are usually held in my home in Roseville, MN.
Please call for address and driving directions.
Lessons are normally given weekly.
I am available for morning, afternoon, and evening lessons to accommodate work and school schedules. I do lessons Monday through Thursday.
To start lessons you will need the following:
- Guitar, acoustic or electric (I do not sell or lend guitars, but I can make recommendations on your guitar choices)
- Pick or picks
- An electronic guitar tuner (unless your guitar has a built-in tuner)
- Instructional book(s) to be determined by me
- A music stand
- A suitable place to practice
You will probably grow into the following accessories:
- Capo
- Music notebook
- Metronome
- CD player
Lessons in your home
If you live in or near the Roseville, MN area and would like me to come to your home for lessons please call or send me an e-mail. It doesn’t hurt to ask!
The area used for lessons should be quiet, well-lit, and free of distractions such as other people in the house and pets. There should be access to a CD player if possible.
You may also want to consider doing lessons via Zoom or Skype. For that you’ll need a Skype account and a Paypal account (unless you pay by check), both of which are free, and a web cam. It’s not as good as being there in person, but it’s worth considering.
