Marylhurst, OR Blues Guitar Lessons

Whether just starting out, or having played for years, the focus will be on helping the student become proficient - or to improve - in their ability to express themselves in the Blues.

Everything you need to achieve the styles of Blues you want to play, learning the chords, scales, finger picking, hybrid picking and how to apply them into the Blues as a style, so you can achieve your goals, even developing your own style and approach.

I can teach all levels and many styles. I make it easy for you to learn at your own pace so you can achieve your goals and have fun playing music.

Experienced guitar teacher available for eager beginning students of all ages! I structure my lessons so students learn what they want to learn, while also building a strong foundation of musical skills. I taught myself to play guitar in high school, so just know the basics. I played keyboards, my main instrument, in several rock bands, so know some blues riffs that could transfer well to guitar. I enjoy helping people to find the fun in playing guitar!

Minor pentatonic, sixth-string root blues scales, transposing sixth-string root scales to other keys, blues scales, fifth-string root connecting scale positions, transposing fifth-string root scales to other keys, major pentatonic, fifth-string root alternating between minor and major pentatonic, 12-bar shuffle rhythm patterns, walking bass lines, how to add fills to rhythm patterns, using hybrid picking and palm muting, classic blues turnarounds, and expressive elements, such as finger slides, sweeps and bends and much more.

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.

Howdy,
I've been teaching 8 years. Some of my students have gone on to start and join bands and begin producing their own music. I customize lessons to fit your goals. I keep the lessons fun by working on learning songs that you like while also learning the tools of theory that apply to the song. You'll go home with handouts for practice and reference. I look forward to meeting you!

Steel string, Spanish and electric

Students can expect to learn to play all styles of blues performed by the masters. Electric/acoustic/dobro. Rhythm, lead, finger picking, flat-picking, slide, and more. I incorporate into my lessons what I have studied with my recording artist mentors.

Each course provides contents particularly chosen for individual students with exercise and homework.

In my course, things I propose to teach including but not limited to:

Guitar Techniques
Finger Placement
Chords
Music Theory
Tabs and Notes (How to Read Music)
Improvisation
Songwriting
Performing/Gigging Tips
Gears/Equipment
Recording
Band Coordination

I also provide courses for people who are:

Wondering how a particular part of a song is played (Hand positioning, picking, etc.)
Unfamiliar with certain techniques (Hammer-ons, tapping, sweeping, etc.)
Wanting to have a section tabbed out and broken down for them.
Wanting to learn about different tunings.