Private Guitar tutoring lessons Damascus, OR.

Joel is author of an upcoming book detailing all common, and some uncommon principles of guitar music. Having taught guitar and participated in the music performance industry since the 80's, Joel is well-acquainted with the makeup of the complete guitarist and all steps leading toward fluent musicianship. Joel's teaching style is unique to each student- tailored to the student's own love of music, or toward the intentions of parents, so as to effectively set realistic goals and to reach them.

Pick a song you want to learn - I'll teach you how to play it! Want to learn how to write your own song? I can teach you!

I focus on your interests as a guitarist, and develop the lessons from there. I really listen and get to know you as a guitarist, a songwriter, a bandmate - however you see yourself, and help you achieve your dreams. All my lessons are rooted in a firm grasp of music theory, proper guitar technique, and a deep understanding of music history.

I've been teaching private guitar and songwriting lessons for over 10 years and have been a performing professional guitarist for 15 years. I've earned a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Oregon and have performed all over the United States and Canada in one band or another. I have extensive experience as a recording artist, and my work has been featured in several full length albums, EP's and singles as well as several independent films. I have also produced music for American Express commercials and ...

I want to provide you the tools and knowledge to be your own teacher in the future. My lessons are not a rigid methodology, but simply a compilation of perspectives, systems, and concepts to unlock your creative potential and gain control as a musician and guitarist. Each lesson can be different, custom-tailored to your needs and goals. There is no one correct way to play music or to teach it!

I am a classical guitarist originally but I also play acoustic, electric, fingerstyle, blues, bluegrass, country, and rock, and I am a master of music theory. I have been teaching for over 20 years and playing and performing for 25 years. My specialty is fingerstyle and I can teach from beginner to the highest advanced levels. I teach at a major University and have been an assistant professor of guitar at several colleges. I currently play and perform in a band that plays all kinds of music from Folk to Funk, from Country to Blues, from Bluegrass to Ballads. I am a music theory specialist. I can teach it in general but I specialize in teaching theory for guitarists. Teaching music is one of my main passions in life!

I can teach the basics of playing guitar to any beginner students who are looking to pick up the instrument. We will go over proper playing technique, start building a knowledge of essential chords and progressions, learn scales, cover the fundamentals of music theory, and begin learning some standard repertoire.

Music is an exploration. Human beings are musical by nature. We walk to a beat, we dance to a beat, we communicate to a beat, and our hearts beat to a beat. My goal as a music teacher is provide knowledge in how we can use music to express ourselves. Through our musical exploration it is important to learn from everyone, follow no one, watch for patterns and most importantly to work every hard!

My educational background is from Arizona State University, where I studied music therapy and guitar. I received guitar instruction from Frank Koonce who is internationally acclaimed as a performer, teacher, and writer.

Through my studies as a music therapist, I have learned and practiced various way to provide the best instruction and musical experience to students of all ages and learning styles.

Due to covid-19 it is important to continue to grow and learn new skills. I have invested in high quality video cameras and audio equipment to provide the best quality lessons.