You don't sound like you're playing jazz: half-steps

I have been playing guitar lightly on and off for 30 years. I have been around guitar enough to somewhat discern talent and skill. When I decided I wanted to start over and learn classical guitar from a professional teacher I went hunting for a great teacher. Before starting lessons with Peter I met with a couple other guitar teachers and gauged them against others I have known. I chose Peter because I found him to be everything I was looking for. Peter is smart. He is both a highly skilled player and a talented teacher. He is dedicated to teaching guitar vs teachers who don’t primarily play guitar or teachers who don’t have any training in guitar pedagogy. Peter is a great communicator in general, which has helped us navigate my complicated schedule and tailor my instruction to my needs and interests. Peter seems to be flexible and realistic with the curriculum he devised for me and the goals we set. Peter has a great personality for teaching. In the journey of developing guitar skill, I think he is a great guide. He knows the art, he knows how to teach it, he knows how to do hard things, how to overcome challenges, and he has a deep trove of experiences to draw from in lessons. My lessons with him have been fun, helpful, and well structured. For the kind of guitar playing I am interested in, my search is over, Peter is a great teacher.

Peter is the first person I’ve taken lessons from after playing for more than a half decade. I’ve considered lessons for a long time, but being able to find someone who could actually ‘translate’ the aspects of music I’ve avoided felt unlikely. Peter’s reviews were excellent (I now know that they’re well deserved), but what the reviews consisted of was what drew me in. He’s clearly a sharp guy, and that’s most evident in how he simplifies concepts that are often boring and unpalatable; there’s no request to memorize the notes on the fretboard or climb scales for weeks on end. Everything is put into context so that actually understanding your instrument becomes something that feels inevitable. The multiple ‘eureka’ moments I’ve had have lit a fire under me, and I feel fortunate that I made the right choice. All of that to say - Peter is a stand up guy who’s an expert in his field, and I haven’t even considered the idea of working with someone else. Beyond his teaching, he’s someone I’d be happy to consider a friend… and if I improve enough, hopefully someone to play with one day. If you want someone who truly cares about music and your progress, then Peter’s your guy.