Portland, 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.

Blues guitar is the basis for much of the music that is popular in the world. Guitar is arguably the most famous blues instrument (although the human voice is arguably more important!). I believe that a solid blues player must learn to play with the soul and power of a good blues vocalist. If you are interested in blues guitar, we will study your favorite guitarists, along with a hefty dose of ear training and rhythm games.

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.

One of my favorite styles of music to teach, perform, and write music in! Love the soul in this style of music! Teach all levels.

“Jim is a blues-rock guitar master from Florida who can play as well as blues greats like BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughan.”
- Gail Worley
I have been an on-call recording artist and producer for Full Sail University for over 10 years. It is my duty as such, to have quality musicians available for both audio and video recordings, usually on very short notice.
I have also been teaching guitar for 40 years.
James is currently on several radio airplay lists with The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, ZZ Top, AC/DC, Joe Satriani, Ozzy, Albert King, Led Zeppelin, and many more.

I've been playing guitar for 8 years. I graduated Musicians Institute with Synester Gates Scholarship. I'm an EMG pickups and LINE 6 artist and product tester.
I have played with Steve Vai and led his band during a song, received technique lesson from Joe Satriani and Scott Henderson, played with Scott Page (Pink Floyd), and arranged music for Corey Feldman.
I have toured all the U.S. twice with more than 62 live shows. I also have more than 70 live shows in only Los Angeles.
I love the most metal, blues, classic rock, funk, acid jazz, pop etc.. I enjoy it all though.
I've been teaching guitar and bass in english/spanish for almost 2 years.
During the lesson you'll learn:
Chords, scales, modes, finger exercises, arpeggios, theory, ear training or anything that adjusts to what you want and need.

After 15 years of teaching, I have found a way of making it fun and disciplined. I have a great way of finding exactly where the student is, their unique goals and then implementing an instruction plan accordingly with my own teaching style and system.

My teaching style is very in depth, but laid back. I base my lessons off the students' specific needs and abilities rather than a set curriculum. My lessons are also different in that they prepare you for all styles of music rather than one or two genres. Overall you will learn at an exponential rate. I go into details and principles that are truly the fundamentals of learning music for any instrument. But I will most importantly, do my absolute best to make learning music an easy and stress-free process.

Want to learn how to play your favorite songs on the guitar and learn how they work? I'm the teacher for you! I teach all ages and styles and will tailor the curriculum to your needs and goals. I graduated from the Santa Fe University of Art & Design, and have been teaching for the last four years. Send me a message and let's get rockin'!