My goal is to help you to express yourself through music. I've been inspired by music since I was young and have been involved in one way or another since I started piano lessons at age 3. I've been playing guitar for over twenty years. I've written and recorded music and collaborated with other musicians. Whether you want to go into music seriously as I have, or just use music as a hobby and way to express yourself, I want to help you accomplish your goals.

*** Lesson Details ***
Each person is different and learns in a slightly different way. Having said that, there are certain essentials which must not be ignored. If you've never taken lessons before, we'll start with the fundamentals. For guitar students we'll start with how to hold the guitar properly, make chords, build up finger strength, properly tune the guitar, know all the strings, and most importantly play songs. On piano we'll learn keyboard layout, fingering positioning and developing phrasing.

Once you conquer the essentials I will encourage you to be creative in developing your talents. Remember, these are your lessons. You can steer them into whatever direction you want to go. I can teach you about song structure and I can teach you how to jam with your friends. If you are interested in writing and composing, I can help you with that too. Before we have completed our series you or your children will have basic knowledge of all these things and a desire to explore at least some of these aspects further. We can take a look at your favorite artists and try to discover how they accomplished and perfected their sound. If you want to learn how to record I have a computer equipped with Pro Tools and would be glad to show you how to use it.

You'll spend time listening to me of course, but I hope to spend much of my time listening to you as well. If reading music doesn't inspire you we can focus more on learning by ear. It's up to you. You'll need your own instrument obviously, though you can leave it at home if you don't want to carry it back and forth. I have guitars here. I request that you purchase a book with text and exercises so that you can practice and study what you learn in the class. Even if you do not want to read music, you will need to know the neck and conquer scale formations and chords. We can choose the text based on your needs.
For me, the most interesting music reveals the unique perspective and feelings of the person who makes it. We can learn to read music or I can teach you how to play by ear.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Six guitars, a keyboard, a computer equipped with Ableton and Reason, interface and MIDI controller.

Equiptment

GUITARS
Fender American Deluxe Telecaster
Fender 65 Mustang
Martin Koa Acoustic
Breedlove Acoustic/Electric cutaway
Gibson 12-string acoustic
Danelectro 12-string semi-hollow electric
Loar semi-hollowbody guitar

AMPS
Fender Cyber Twin Deluxe
Line 6 Spyder III

DIGITAL PIANO
Yamaha YDP-141

RECORDING EQUIPTMENT
Saffire 6 USB Interface
Novation Zero SLMkII USB mixer
Akai LPK25 MIDI keyboard

SOFTWARE
Ableton Live 9
Reason 6

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can travel with any of my guitars and my Lunchbox amp is also easily portable.