Bryn Mawr, PA Blues Guitar Lessons

from albert king to bb king, learn to play like the greats

Blues guitar was my first true electric guitar obsession. It continues to be a huge part of my playing today. Having a strong blues foundation is something that any serious guitar player should have. Just about every music genre we hear today can be traced back to blues roots. I teach anything and everything about blues guitar playing. The blues method and approach I use gets musicians at any level seeing significant results in a short amount of time.

Basic out line of blues guitar approach touching on the I IV V progression and pentatonic scales to play lead lines, solos and melodies. Heavy investigation of note bending, breathing and space. Learning to let the notes "breath" and speak is key to good blues.

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.

I have taught blues guitar lessons, for many years, including classes at the National Guitar Workshop.

Were you curious about blues guitar? I'm the teacher you've been looking for. Of course I'll start you off with theory, but theory will help you to understand the workings of what makes blues guitar so good. I will be a good teacher for you because I can start you off right.

I have spent the past 12 years of my life dedicated to the guitar. While obtaining my Bachelor's degree in Guitar performance at Oberlin Conservatory I was employed by the conservatory's secondary lessons department. This studio featured a diverse mix of college students, adults, and children. In addition I am Suzuki method certified and I was a summer instructor at the Amherst School of Guitar in Buffalo, NY. I have experience working with children from as young as 5 to as old as 65.

A major priority of my guitar teaching is to have students making expressive music every time they touch the instrument.

I begin by working on tone production on the open strings of the guitar, so that students are able to produce a full, beautiful tone on the first day. From there, we study left- and right- hand techniques in the context of real pieces of music, giving students the chance to apply the mechanics of guitar playing to the expression of musical ideas. At the same time, I work with students through progressive studies and warm-up exercises that have built-in expressive goals, so that they can learn to rely on their own ears to further refine their playing.

As I believe that a good guitarist is, first and foremost, a strong musician, I fold a number of diverse activities into weekly lessons, developing skills in music theory, ear training, sight reading, composition, and improvisation, all of which reinforce the acquisition of strong technique.

My lessons draw from a diverse field of experience in rock, pop, jazz, and electronic music to teach you not only the mechanics of guitar, but a deeper appreciation and understanding of a wide variety of musical forms and genres. Learn your favorite songs, learn how they work, and learn how to utilize that knowledge to start your own musical journey!

In addition to playing guitar and drums in a wide variety of musical acts, I have studied under acoustic fingerstyle guitarist Trevor Gordon Hall, classical guitarist Brad Rau, and rock guitarist Aaron Ribnicky.

I adopt an in-depth musical theory approach, where we learn chord progressions together and I give assigned practice to take home. I like to ask students what their objectives are, and to try to have them set goals that we work towards together.

A guitar and music teacher for over 30 years in the Bay Area, teaching all styles and levels in this time, and fresh back from a 10 year stint in the UK, teaching 1st and 2nd year performance students at BIMM Brighton, ICMP London, and ACM Guildford, Steve can take you from the beginning stages of your playing and help build a lasting foundation. Intermediates and Advanced levels can benefit from Steve’s 30 year performance and recording career, which spans stints with the best of Bay Area Thrash Metal (Testament, Forbidden, Vicious Rumors), to more progressive musical areas, including time with Seattle’s Nevermore (This Godless Endeavor), and his own instrumental band, The EssenEss Project, and countless sessions across many styles of music, including folk, jazz/fusion, blues, country, and more.
Steve can help you to learn what you’d like to learn, while also ensuring that you are learning what you need, to help keep you enjoying playing for a lifetime!
BEGINNERS ARE ALWAYS ...