Classical Guitar with Ian L.

Hello! My name is Ian, and I would love to play music with you. I've been playing guitar since I was 10 and started giving lessons at my local guitar shop in Portland, OR when I was 16. I love to help people deepen their understanding of and physical ability with music. Teaching is an important part of my life, and I learn as much from it as any of my students do. In my experience it's important to build a good connection with students. I tend to look at lessons as a place where we get to come and work together on a really fun, interesting project. We'll start just by talking a bit about who are, what your goals are, the styles or areas of music you're interested in, and of course answering whatever questions you have. I want lessons with me to be something you look forward to every time, and see as a place where you always feel inspired, able, encouraged in your curiosity, and appropriately challenged. My strength as a teacher comes from hundreds of hours of teaching experience (I'm 34, and I've been teaching for about 18 years). I'm also able to draw on a deep & diverse professional background in music - from being a touring guitarist in bands like Hockey, STRFKR and Mimicking Birds; transcribing classical music for guitar and performing in the Oregon Guitar Quartet and other classical ensembles; writing & producing songs for Epidemic Sound in Sweden; recording my own music in Logic Pro, and much more. My teaching style - excited, engaged, encouraging and patient. Choose me if you're interested in any of the following: popular music of the last 70 years (all of it!); writing music; classical music; jazz & American songbook; indie music; music theory; ear training; improving your rhythm and ability to play with other musicians; improving your confidence as a musician; recording; Logic Pro X; singing; bass; drums; guitar pedals; and much more. Please let me know if you have any questions and I'll respond promptly. In 2009 I graduated from Portland State University with a Bachelor of Music degree in classical guitar performance. In my 20s I toured all over North America & Europe as a guitarist in rock/pop bands. For the past 7 years I lived in New York City, where I worked as a guitar teacher, studio guitarist and wrote music for TV & commercials. Since September 2019 I've lived in Stockholm, Sweden, where I teach, record, and write music for Epidemic Sound and Pour Le Sport Recording Company. I look forward to hearing more about you and playing together!