Leonia, NJ Blues Guitar Lessons

We study the most prominent blues guitarists play their styles.

I will break down the nuances of learning the blues in a friendly, clear, and articulate manner. We will discuss various concepts of the acoustic guitar in the styles and songs you enjoy most.

I started playing acoustic guitar when I was seven years old. I have been playing and teaching mostly bluegrass, old time, Irish, blues, and swing jazz styles for many years. I have taught both privately and have also done various workshops at festivals. I have taught guitar multiple years for instance at the Gettysburg Bluegrass Festival in PA.
My students learn to have fun with music. Students can work on rhythms, melodies, improvisation, song writing, getting into and/or hanging on in a jam session, etc.

The foundation of Blues can be rooted in the 'Dominant' Arpeggio, Blues and Pentatonic Scales. I show you all of the popular licks and tricks of classic blues players with thorough explanation.

I taught myself blues guitar by playing along with the records of B.B. King, Eric Clapton and all the greats in between, so I know how it's done. As the author of several guitar method books, and a teacher for over 25 years, I have the materials and the experience to show you how as well.

I am an accomplished guitar player in a variety of genres and have extensive experience with different bands. I studied guitar at Southern Oregon University, and then went on to teach guitar and piano at the Able Music School in Auckland, New Zealand, and with the Musicality Network in Portland, Oregon. I am an actively performing musician and recording artist; in the past, I have played with bands ranging from acoustic rock to punk, jazz to classical, Renaissance to reggae, blue-grass to heavy metal. I am a recent New York transplant, and am looking forward to sharing my love of guitar and piano with a new set of students!

I started teaching private lessons while living in Ashland, Oregon, and have continued teaching private lessons through today. I also taught at the Able Music Studio in Auckland, New Zealand for 2 1/2 years and then through the Musicality Network in Portland, Oregon for 1 year.

I hold a degree from Berklee College of Music with guitar as my principle instrument, as well as many years of study at The New England Conservatory, have taught privately for over twenty years, have a comfortable studio in The Upper East Side (with many guitars to choose from) and have excellent recommendations. Whether it is pop, jazz, blues or classical guitar, I provide the most comprehensive instruction available and I do it with encouragement, enthusiasm and passion. As a student at Berklee, I had the good fortune to study with Bill Leavitt and do use his method books, as well as my own material. Most importantly, I am patient, energized and enjoy watching my students develop into excellent guitarists.

Whether you are new to the guitar or have been playing for years, I will help you to be the best guitarist you can be. If you love pop, jazz, folk, blues or classical music, I bring passion and excitement to the learning process. Let's get started on a musical journey that ...

Whether you are an absolute beginner looking to start playing the guitar for fun, or a seasoned veteran trying to dig deeper into understanding the instrument, my teaching and performing experience can propel you to reach any and all of your musical goals! Lessons are designed for the needs of each individual. Beginners will develop the skills to strum through songs within the first couple weeks while intermediate and advanced players will choose the curriculum that they wish to study. I teach all ages and genres of music with a specialization in jazz guitar and theory. Along with guitar lessons students will be given a solid foundation of music theory, note reading, ear training and technique, while also providing the option to be recorded in my home studio. Please message for any questions or to get started!

Guitar lessons are a fun, laid-back, and encouraging experience for anyone to pursue. My lessons are specifically designed to accomplish the goals of the student, whether it's as simple as playing along with your favorite songs, or obtaining the musical foundation to begin writing your own songs. Former students have thanked me for being laid-back, non-rigid, and down to earth. My diverse musical background lets me offer students of any genre a fast track to learning the skills they desire, and having fun along the way as well!