Private Classical Guitar tutoring lessons Boonville, MO.

This is the style of music I earned my Bachelor's degree. Teach all levels to improve a student's technique and knowledge of the beautiful genre.

I offer lessons in both classical and fingerstyle guitar (especially for open tunings like DADGAD, for which I have published two books with Mel Bay). I tailor my lessons to the individual, but I like to concentrate on both technique and overall musical expression. When called for, I offer assistance in basic theory, including rhythm, chord structure, and melodic playing--and can teach both standard notation and tablature. One of my classical guitar students has commented, Julie "has patiently brought me through increasingly more difficult technique by choosing a wide variety of challenging but enjoyable pieces to practice. I am gradually working my way up the fret towards the 5th position. She has helped me with theory, including rhythm, the major and minor scales and chord building. Her empathy is a particular blessing for me because of my poor eyesight and the arthritis in my wrists, hands and fingers.”

Take guitar lessons from a professional touring and studio guitarist.

Hi, I'm Derek. I have a degree in classical guitar. I've taught guitar for over 14 years. I've played guitar for over 80 bands or artists, 28 of whom are major-label artists, including Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line and Jake Owen to name a few. I've had the honor of living my dream. I now live in Bend, Oregon and perform with Precious Byrd. I'm offering guitar lessons to students in Bend and Redmond, Oregon and also online via Skype. I would be honored to teach you what I've learned over a lifetime of being a student myself and of real-life experience with the guitar.

My personal teaching philosophy is that music is a beautiful transcendental art form, and it's my job to find the student's connection to music and help them enjoy it to its fullest capacity. Whether it's a young beginner, old hobbyist, or aspiring professional I understand that everyone's learning process is unique and it's my job to find and nurture that.

I predominantly play jazz and have an extensive theory and composition background, so I can educate on many subjects. Some of my primary focuses are: technique, fretboard knowledge, chord vocabulary, sound/tone, articulation styles and personal stylistic choices, and many more.

Classical guitar students start with five subjects.

1) Technique is concerned with the development of the physical mechanics involved in playing the instrument.

2) Scales are a part of basic music vocabulary and building blocks of the musical language.

3) Chords are also basic vocabulary of the musical language.

4) Note reading is not required for every student. It really depends on the students' goals. However, I strongly encourage everyone learn to read musical notation, (more than tablature). Literacy in reading music is analogous to literacy in reading in our English language. Can you imagine how much smaller our world would be if we couldn't read?

5) Classical repertoire (songs) utilize the skills and concepts of all the previously mentioned subjects and are the goal of studying music. And by the way, they are really fun to play.

A beginning student will practice all these subjects as part of the daily practice routine. A half hour practice session will ...

I teach a detailed, task oriented approach to technique which leads to quick progress.