Private lessons with top Country Guitar instructors near San Francisco, CA

Learn the subtleties of what makes country guitar playing its own unique style, and learn how to break away from the typical "rock template" to set your country style apart from the rest... and make it your own!

I'm Ahmad a very enthusiastic musician. I started out teaching myself guitar at the age of 12. I moved to the U.S. in 2001 and studied music for 15 years receiving my B.M. and M.M in music and audio production at San Francisco State University. I then moved to Los Angeles then studied and trained with John Mayer, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, George Lynch and many others. I have performed hundreds of concerts in the U.S. as well in Europe and the Middle East with Artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica, Guns N Roses, Michael Angelo Batio, Ratt, Sammy Hagar, Dokken and many others. I ranked #1 in the Slash Guitar Center competition. I was in the "list of top 5 guitar players ever" according to The Examiner, also picked as one of the best guitarists of 2013 and 2014 consecutively in the Rockwell UnScene magazine, and ranked 3rd in the Steve Vai Sam Ash Best in Shred competition. I find a student's strengths and weaknesses using various ways to encourage each student. I am very patient, kind, flexible, and enthusiastic and I love working with children as much as adults. I strongly support basic skills: sight-reading, pitch and tone. I have 25 years experience teaching kids and adults guitar. Also performing live and in the studio. *** Lesson Details *** My objectives: to help students powerfully communicate through the essence of music and aid the development of children and adults by finding their strengths and weaknesses and to develop their skills and show their musical talents. I emphasize basic skills, good sight-reading, guitar technique, and theory. Lessons are held at either your home, or mine using composers from various time periods that speaks to the individual student. Also,I do prefer to work weekly with my students. A beginner lesson may be 10-15 min. for warm-ups and scales, 10-15 min. theory and rest playtime. In three to six months the student will be able to read sheet music and should be able to perform simple songs. An intermediate lesson has more focus on music and technique from a specific genre. A specialty is preparation for guitar auditions or doing live or studio gigs. I enjoy teaching children from age 5 up to adults. *** Specialties *** I teach the basic skills very strongly, and also encourage students and challenge them, as well. I also have new techniques for teaching Electric, Acoustic and Classical Guitar. I do prefer to teach a weekly lesson.

Old country, New country. All styles and artists. Learn from a pro!

The guitar is the most popular instrument to learn, and it is indisputably at the heart of country music. You'll learn some basic exercises to develop core skills, quickly mastering the basic "cowboy chords" that form the backbone of most country songs, and soon you'll find yourself moving smoothly between chords without missing a beat. Building on that foundation, you'll go from boom-chick rhythm strums to learning fingerpicking "banjo rolls," melodic riffs and fills, and alternate chord fingerings to master the whole fretboard. And woven into the practical lessons, you'll also learn practical elements of music theory including harmony and how to transpose to different keys. I'm often asked if you need to read music to learn guitar, and while it can be useful for advanced students, it is not necessary for beginners, and I don't place a lot of emphasis on it. While my approach is grass-roots, you'll learn to "work smarter, not harder," use scientifically-based learning techniques to train your brain and build "muscle memory." I believe that playing music should be enjoyable, and you should also be able to have a lot of fun in the process of learning it! Of course, it's important to devote regular time to practice in between lessons to make steady progress. This effort will bring its own reward as you start playing with greater ease of expression, and your self-motivation will help you gain momentum. I look forward to working with you and seeing your progress as you unfold your potential!

Modern Metal isn't everyone's thing. That's how I discovered Country Guitar. As a fan of greats like John-5 and Brad Paisley, there are a lot of talented people that can play great guitar in country style. I do a lot of modern country. Like older Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley, Scruggs and Flats, Luke Bryan and others upon request. Open chords are a big part of the genre as well as Major Pentatonic Scales. Will do my best to make sure you accomplish your country goals.

Learn to chicken pick, play slide and improvise over different chord progressions.

I can help you master the guitar in the shortest amount of time! Experienced teacher with over 10 years of experience has helped many students achieve their goals on the instrument with guaranteed results. Everyone has their own journey with music and these lessons are here for you to achieve them. Whether you want to play electric or acoustic, learn songs or create songs. master the basics or go beyond the basics. Become a better player, musician, improviser, songwriter, artist.

Pedal tones or banjo rolls, or piano like phrasing, we can simulate a b-bender found on some guitars, chicken-picking, travis-picking, hybrid-picking, alternate-picking, slide guitar and much more.