Private Bluegrass Guitar tutoring lessons Vintondale, PA.

Gary is a professional touring/recording guitarist,composer
and member of PERE UBU, ROCKET FROM THE TOMBS AND THE LEGENDARY SHACK SHAKERS.
A Graduate of Berkee College of Music, he has over 30 years of experience teaching and performing. He specializes in Contemporary and Classical Guitar. Lessons focus on the application of Music Theory to Guitar to help students acquire strong compositional and songwriting skills, knowledge of chord construction, the ability to play scales proficiently, and gain necessary skills needed for solo improvisation. In addition to a wealth of teaching experience, he has toured extensively throughout North America and Europe and has numerous songwriting credits on international releases.

An experienced teacher of 10 years, I offer student-led lessons that help you grow musically. If you put in the work, you will see results!

We can learn your favorite songs, and use the guitar as a tool to learn and understand music theory in the process. Learn 3 fingerstyle fingerpicking, flat picking, traditional music, blues, rock, and bluegrass.

I'm a guitarist and educator based out of Raleigh, NC. I received training at the University of South Carolina (Bachelors of Music, 2011) and East Carolina University (Masters of Music, 2015). I am an active performer in the Triangle area, drawing inspiration from American roots music, classical, and jazz traditions.

I have seen hundreds of students over ten years of private teaching, working with beginner to advanced students of all age levels. I teach in a wide range of styles, and I specialize in classical guitar and flatpicking (bluegrass/old time).

I hope to help you along as you grow as a musician and a guitarist!

I teach many areas of Bluegrass guitar: basic to advanced rhythm styles, lead guitar, fingerpicking, improvisation. I also teach how to read music and play by ear.

Bluegrass Guitar:
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a related genre of country music. Influenced by the music of Appalachia, bluegrass has mixed roots in Irish, Scottish and English traditional music, and was also later influenced by the music of African-Americans through incorporation of jazz elements. Besides the standard basics that are learned with guitar, I will help the student focus on learning the blues scales, chords, rhythms, and picking, strumming patterns and songs. As the student advances theory will be introduced and learning how to solo.

After 20 years of playing and a BA in Music, I know how to break down the guitar and teach it to anyone willing to learn. I take the 80/20 approach to learning guitar and will get you up and playing in no time. If you are tired of trying to figure out how to learn guitar online or you feel stuck at your current level, then I can show you the most effective and efficient way to get your playing to the next level. Lessons will teach you the following:

* songs you actually want to play
* how to read music and guitar tablature
* music theory tailored to suit your needs
* composition and improvisation
* performance practices and music history
* how to play solo pieces and jam with your friends