Bennet, NE Acoustic Guitar Lessons

Steel and Nylon guitar instruction.

I have been working as a professional musician since 1987. In that time, I've played many roles alongside a wide range of established and emerging talent, from around the world, including band leader, accompanist, music producer, composer, arranger, co-writer, teacher, coach and mentor. Along the way, I have continued to pursue my passion for education, teaching private music lessons to amateurs, professionals and hobbyists from all walks of life.

My main acoustic guitar is a Custom Martin SP000C16RECST (1 of 75) with ivoriod binding, pearl around top, neck shape: low oval, pearl dots and Fischman pre-fix pick-up with on-board blender.

I work on the foundations of good playing technique and musical knowledge through a close study of music that interests the student. As a guitarist, I've played and worked with students on Bach sonatas, Dylan/Donovan style fingerpicking, jazz comping and solos, rock, metal and punk riffs, Steve Vai-esque two-hand tapping, as well as songwriting, music theory, and aural skills, so no matter what kind of music you like or how you're looking to improve, chances are I can help take you do it. All levels and ages are welcome.

I offer acoustic guitar for children and adults of all levels, from first time players to very advanced players. I offer lessons teaching Bluegrass, Country, Rock, Classic Rock, Blues and Folk style guitar. I can provide a complete curriculum including tabs/sheet music or I can can give personalized lessons on skills or music of your choice. I can teacher material in both standard notation and tablature as well as learning to play by ear. I can also prepare students to play in bands and jams.

I LOVE giving music lessons! I tailor each lesson to fit the students interests, as well as give them a strong general music foundation to carry them through their musical endeavors! Music is FUN! Why should learning about it be any different?

A little bit about me:
B.A. in Music Technology
MPS in Music Performance
I play in a country band, a jazz quartet, I DJ weddings, and I am working up a solo show using my loop station!

I want to have you walking out of the lesson happy, and excited to go home and practice some new material. With me you'll learn about guitar, but you'll also learn about music and how playing can help you in life (perseverance, basic math foundations, etc.)

I love working with musicians who want to grow and develop into the musician that they truly desire to be. Whether you are learning guitar to play in a band, work on your solo career, be able to play your favorite songs with friends and family together, or simply practice a healthy and productive hobby on your free time, my goals as your teacher are to help you feel comfortable expressing yourself with a guitar in your hands.

We will work through learning and playing songs, right-hand rhythm technique, left hand chord structures, playing with easy-feel, soloing and different scales, improvisation, and of course, music theory and the science behind how everything works up and down the guitar neck.

If you want to be the best guitar player you can be, the first step is to study with someone who not only knows what they are talking about, but has the experience to back it up! My name is Olin and I hold a Masters of Music degree from Michigan state university, as well as performing and touring professionally with jazz, blues, rock, reggae, hip-hop/rap, r'n'b, and pop bands. I have been teaching privately for over seven years, with students aged 4-60! I am educated not only in jazz, but in a multitude of styles of music, and I want to share what I know with dedicated students who love music as much as I do.

I believe that developing a personal relationship with my students is the most important aspect of my effectiveness as their teacher. I prefer to use both aural and visual learning, as well as demonstrating with my instrument and explaining with verbal communication.

Experienced teacher of 18 years, specializing in the beginner/intermediate guitar student! All ages welcome. Lessons are customized and catered to the needs/goals of each student. Not only will you be playing songs in no time, but you will be building a strong foundation of note reading, music theory, ear training, sight reading, technique, and more. Let's get started!