Eric H. TakeLessons Instructor music, classical guitar - beginning, intermediate and advanced, guitar ensemble, Rock ensemble... San Francisco, CA

"All great players are ultimately self-taught." a quote from the great Andres Segovia. For more than 40 years of self-study combined with some very fine teachers passing along ways to make playing the guitar easier for me, bolder and more accurate, giving me proper guidance. I've found that studying with any teacher is not a lifetime commitment. It's a relationship that moves the student to the next level of excellence and paves the way for personal growth and understanding. I have studied for varying lengths of time with teachers at universities, attended master classes with world-reknowned guitarists, I have spent the better part of ten years recording commercial CDs along side a famous, 3 time Grammy and Emmy Award winning composer and guitarist.

Through and because of this combined information along with countless hours over many years of personal, thoughtful practice and study, and working with and learning from others fine musicians, and not limited to guitarists alone, but all instruments, it all clearly defines the guitarist I am today. And what kind of guitarist is that?

A professional for many years, I currently teach guitar programs at Cathedral School for Boys, K.D. Burke School for Girls, The French / American International School (all in San Francisco) and the COVA school for the performing arts in Oakland. I coach three teen rock ensembles (two of them independant of any corporate organizations) and I accept private students. I perform solo recitals, play special services for churches and temples of all denominations, perform at weddings as both soloist and ensemble member, and entertain for social gatherings. I give many performances with a stringed orchestra in San Francisco and the Bay Area and with chamber ensembles, large and small. Currently with an early music duo called "Her Majesty's Noyse. http://www.myspace.com/hernoyse/

Through the years, I have adopted the single idea that the best teacher is the teacher who can define the things about your playing and musical techniques that are keeping you from playing your very best! A teacher who will help you to learn how to learn the kinds of music that interest you. My teaching focus has always been to try to help the student correctly (and hopefully quickly) learn to identy problems with reading, playing without making mistakes, overall musculature and posture, dealing with performance anxiety and so, so much more. I try to see about the "complete" guitarist. Always at a pace that never exceeds the student's ability to grasp the information given.

Studying Classical Guitar is a very focused, highly rewarding, though sometimes difficult journey that can become a special love between player and instrument; for a lifetime! Proper fundamental music training as applied to the guitar, teaching sensible reading techniques and observations about the student's phsycal playing along with realistic solutuions to problems and bad habits from the past and in the process of developing right now. Attention to these things are the core of my teaching methods. I am not a strict teacher, but a very thorough one. This is a passionate endeavor for both the student and the guitar. A commitment to one another. I nurture that passion and give it direction. I never yell or debase in any way, only continue to encourage personal excellence in each student - regardless of their extreme and varying abilities to learn the classical guitar (it's certainly not for the squimish). It ultimately takes many years to make a fine classical guitarist. Just how many is up to each student of the guitar. I'm here to help speed that process up - through understanding.

As far as methods and music, etc., I prefer the Christopher Parkening method series and some simple (for intermediate players) pieces from any classical guitar repertoire. As I only accept intermediate to advanced students, and not very many of them, each student should have some ideas about what they would like to accomplish and what to have ready for a lesson. For those who don't know: A sharp pencil or two, a blank, 10 stave manuscript book, Christopher Parkening's book 1 (book 2 for advanced players) or any comparable method you may currently own, a music stand, a foot stool and straight-backed chair, good lighting and any and all music you currently own that you'd like to play but think you can't.

I will teach you at your home to help simplify logistics and time requirements but also to help you design a practical work area and environment. Lessons are either 45 mins. or 1 hour per week. Flexibility of appt. times is very helpful.

The results you can expect to obtain in 3 months will be noticable but the techniques still difficult to maintain, and muscles are still developing. After 6 months (everything dependant on your practicing the lessons every day - or not) your learning abilities will increase by 2-4X possibly more. Every student is different and each will excell at their own pace but all will enjoy and benifit hugely - Promise.

I typically will create a lesson plan individualized for each student's needs and level of achievement, goals and ability to learn the guitar. I use the Christopher Parkening methods (1 & 2) for foundation studies in classical guitar. I also teach beginning guitar to all age groups and instill a knowledge of chords, note reading, basic music theory and songs study.

James A. Fitch HS - music - 1969-1973

music, classical guitar - beginning, intermediate and advanced, guitar ensemble, Rock ensemble (music arranging/performance techniques, etc), music theory beginning - advanced.