Background Check
John B.
Background Check
Teaching Locations:
Online
Teacher's Studio
Teaching Locations:
Online
Teacher's Studio
Levels taught:
Beginner, Intermediate, AdvancedWith one to one instruction, you'll learn to play chords, scales, note reading, tablature, finger picking, strum patterns and improvisation. Within just a few lessons, students will begin learning how to play their favorite songs, including, "Somewhere over the Rainbow" ," I'm Yours", "Hey Soul Sister" and many more. Also, students will learn how to play various styles of music like, Blues, Pop, Classical and Rock.
About John B.
I have been playing for about 35 years and teaching music and guitar for 25 years. I have a Bachelor of Music in Jazz and Classical guitar. I've taught at the University level and currently maintain a professional studio in Arlington, Virginia. I am very well versed in many different styles of music including, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Classical and Suzuki guitar. Students who decide to sign up with me, will have a lesson plan, a strategy for meeting their musical goals and will enjoy themselves in the process.
*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons are custom designed to meet the needs of every student, whether it is someone just starting out with the basics or for that seasoned player that wants to hone their professional skills. As a teacher, I consider myself easy going and laid back, with an emphasis on encouraging each student to do their very best.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Guitar, instruments, keyboards recording equipment, waiting room, seating for parents
*** Travel Equipment ***
Music stand, foot stool, cables.- Teacher
Own instrument, amplifier if needed, notebook.-Student
*** Specialties ***
I have been teaching for about 25 years and am well versed in Jazz, Classical, Rock, Blues and Country genres. I focus on anything from note reading, theory, improvisation and composing.
Reviews
Write a Review
Online
John is very patient and extremely knowledgeable. He is the best instructor/teacher i have had in the many years I have taken lessons.
Online
Excellent and it's just my first lesson!
Student's Home
I had taken guitar lessons as a kid, but hadn't played in many years. During our first lesson, John figured out my skill level and started the lessons on the right track. I've enjoyed our lessons and the "assignments" he has given me, which are just what I wanted.
Online
Great first lesson. Just the right level of difficulty. John is very patient and helpful.
Online
Awesome first lesson. Friendly teacher. I have no musical talent but I was playing chords by the end of the first lesson.
Teacher's Studio
Fabulous. John is very patient, extremely knowledgeable, and paces his lessons perfectly.
Online
a great start, gonna be fun
Teacher's Studio
Awesome! Very welcoming and extremely patient.
Online
John is great! He was great at assessing where my level was and is moving me forward at a comfortable speed. Not too fast or too slow. He is a very nice person too!
Teacher's Studio
John is a great teacher and musician, he is really patient and professional, I enjoy every class.
Online
Student's Home
Enjoying my lessons. John understands my questions and answers them thoroughly. Has many materials at hand for the student.
Teacher's Studio
John is a fantastic teacher! I'm excited to schedule more lessons with him in the future!
Student's Home
John is great! super personable and tailors a short lesson towards your specific goals. 10/10 would recommend!
Student's Home
John is the man! I've only had three lessons thus far, but have learned a ton. He is very knowledgeable, and has done a great job catering to my skill level (intermediate).
Teacher's Studio
John is an excellent teacher. I’m a real beginner, and , instead of acting bored with my level of “playing”, he was very encouraging. His instruction is clear and precise. He had me transitioning between four different chords in my first half hour! So pleased!
Teacher's Studio
It was a No-Pressure first lesson so I’m looking forward to the next one.
Student's Home
I love my lessons with John. He is patient and knows what he’s doing. I have learned so much already in a short amount of time. I look forward to each lesson every week.
Teacher's Studio
We couldn't ask for more. John was very kind, fun, patient - perfect fit for our 12 yo daughter, beginner to guitar.
Student's Home
John is a great teacher and a kind man
Teacher's Studio
Very good!
Teacher's Studio
John is very friendly. The first lesson with him, he makes me feel so comfortable, and most importantly, confident that I can achieve my goal. Thanks John.
Teacher's Studio
Great first class. Very relaxed teaching style.
Teacher's Studio
John is extremely patient and the past few seasons have been very good. I'd definitely suggest him to anyone who lives in the area.
Teacher's Studio
John is exactly the kind of teacher I need and was looking for. He made it fun, and I felt like I learned more in my first lesson with him than I had in all my prior lessons combined. Already looking forward to my next lesson!
Teacher's Studio
John is very accommodating of my schedule and always provides me with new tips to advance my skills. He’s super cool. 100% recommend.
Student's Home
I have been taking guitar lessons from John for several years. He is an excellent instructor, and is very patient and knowledgeable. I am challenged every week and have learned so much from him. I highly recommend John as an instructor for guitar and for the other instruments he teaches.
Teacher's Studio
John was great and very knowledgeable. He is a no-nonsense teacher who calmly and steadily aides in your journey toward learning the guitar. Thank you, John!
Teacher's Studio
John has been very patient and caring. I have learned so much from such a talented guy. Thank again John
Teacher's Studio
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Teacher's Studio
Fantastic Instructor! I have been taking guitar lessons from John for multiple years. He is an excellent instructor and also very patient. I have learned a ton from him and have had a great time playing guitar.
Teacher's Studio
John is super patient and incredibly helpful, especially for a hard-headed adult like me. I've been playing guitar for about 15 years and have made very slow progress on my own. John is helping me unlock the missing pieces. Thank you, sir!
Teacher's Studio
Very patient.
Teacher's Studio
John is very patient and knowledgeable
Student's Home
Johns great. I wasn’t sure which instrument to begin and after mandolin lesson number 1... I showed up at his studio with a guitar. Lots of fun and he has lots of patience.
Teacher's Studio
John has been teaching me chords, which are very difficult on the mandolin. He's an excellent teacher.
Teacher's Studio
John is a very good teacher. He figured out my learning ability and interest level quickly in the first lesson, and covers the material as much as I can handle In short 30 minute lessons. I leave each lesson with enough work to go over and practice in the coming week. He makes Ukulele learning fun and easy.
Teacher's Studio
John is an excellent teacher; he is able to adapt the way he teaches to your learning style and teaches theory and techniques through songs. He finds ways to develop the skills you are seeking and is always encouraging and (very!) patient. Finally, he keeps the lessons fun!
Student's Home
John is a great teacher—very patient with me as a beginner in the classical guitar. I highly recommend him as a teacher!
Student's Home
John is so encouraging, and he was able to read my abilities and needs in just a few moments. I'm looking forward to more lessons!
Teacher's Studio
Knowledgeable. Excellent corrective feedback. Appropriately challenging. Highly recommend.
Teacher's Studio
First lesson helped to get a solid footing and decide what course to take with the lessons.
Teacher's Studio
Very patient and skilled instructor.
Student's Home
John has been a great and patient teacher for my 7yo daughter. She’s learning to sight read, music theory and rhythm :)
Teacher's Studio
John is a patient and encouraging instructor. He was easily able to meet my needs and requests for different aspects of learning the guitar. Definitely recommend him to students seeking good guidance.
Teacher's Studio
Very easy-going and chooses great music to use. I love taking lessons from him.
Student's Home
John is great. I really enjoy my ukulele lessons with him.
Teacher's Studio
John was awesome he know exactly how to take me step by step with my very first lesson with the guitar, no rush and patient and showing me the propher steps. Can't wait to move onto the next lesson.
Teacher's Studio
John is a seasoned teacher and player. He is soft-spoken and patient; my two girls (13 and 16) don't feel intimidated or fearful and really enjoy their lessons. He challenges them and provides just enough push for proper progression. John is very effective and I highly recommend him.
Teacher's Studio
Great instruction that is understandable and positive. As a beginner I want to learn and have fun-- John does exactly that.
Student's Home
I like John. Higly recommend him to any guitar lover!
Student's Home
John, what does your schedule look like on Saturday. Would like to begin my winter schedule with the Best Teacher in Town.
Teacher's Studio
Just finished my third lesson and I am impressed. I am essentially a beginner, and John took me through basic chords and scales, challenging me accordingly, but at the same time making it fun. John is a great teacher - very capable, extremely patient. I feel fortunate to be learning from John!
Teacher's Studio
Able to coach along a student with absolutely no talent - and make it fun.
Teacher's Studio
very patient and informative. I would definately recomend this instructor.
Teacher's Studio
he was patient; attentive, took his time to show me the chords, explain the guitar. I have never played before, and didn't know the first thing about it. He showed me how to tune the guitar, I look forward to my next lessons.
Teacher's Studio
Would give 6 stars if it was an option. John is an awesome guitar teacher
Student's Home
Great instructor. I'm making progress!
Teacher's Studio
John's a great teacher!
Teacher's Studio
John was a great instructor. Friendly, encouraging, and great at demonstrating techniques.
I am a 53 year old student learning how to play bass guitar. John is an excellent instructor & teacher! I began playing "Louie Louie"& "The eye of the Tiger" in the 1st session. Awesome!!!!
Teacher's Studio
Unlimited patience! And that's on top of seriously knowing the instrument -- and how to get a rank beginner like me to play it. (Sort of. :) Highly recommended!
Teacher's Studio
I love how I am learning everything j want to learn thanks to John
Teacher's Studio
He's patient & cued-in-on what the client wants. He "gets it".
Example, I want to learn certain songs & not begin lessons from the beginning. Ergo, he does this, but, isn't reluctant, to suggest a what's helpful to do this.
Teacher's Studio
helpful tips for learning scales and mastering fretboard
Teacher's Studio
Great first lesson. Looking forward to next one.
Teacher's Studio
John is a cool dude with a rude 'tude. He was very positive and encouraging for my first lesson.
Teacher's Studio
My guitar lessons with John have been terrific. John is very knowledgeable, encouraging and patient. He makes the lessons enjoyable while learning. I would recommend him to other students interested in learning to play the guitar.
Teacher's Studio
Brand new to music and John was very patient and encouraging with me.
Teacher's Studio
John is a great teacher. Patient and knowledgable, he'll get you playing tunes in no time.
Teacher's Studio
John is a great teacher. Patient and knowledgable, he'll get you playing tunes in no time.
Teacher's Studio
John's been great so far--very knowledgable and willing to change pace/style/material to suit te student's needs and preferences. I will be re-upping!
Student's Home
Great.
Teacher's Studio
John's very relaxed and patient, and did a great job listening to my objectives and matching exercises to my skill level. I'm looking forward to continuing to work with him.
Teacher's Studio
Just had one class with John and I learned a lot. Very passionate about music and patient with my elementary skills!
Teacher's Studio
John has been great! He is very patient and always constructive. I leave every lesson with renewed enthusiasm.
Teacher's Studio
Talented musician and great listener.
Student's Home
John is a fantastic teacher. After my first lesson I am confident he was the right choice. He made the lesson very fun and enjoyable and we even had a short jam session which was a ton of fun. I would highly recommend him and his teaching style. Looking forward to continuing lesson.
Teacher's Studio
Very productive! Happy with the experience and looking forward to upcoming lessons
Teacher's Studio
If there was anyway to give John 6 stars I would! John is the best teacher and also a really great guy all around. John is very knowledgeable and I learned a lot from my lessons with him. John is a very patient instructor which helped make the lessons better. I would be remiss not to mention his cool cat Mr. Buttons who would often come down just to listen in on our lessons and even the occasional jam session we would have afterwards. Thank you for all that you do John!
Student's Home
Great Teacher! I look forward to continuing to progress with my playing.
Student's Home
John is an amazing teacher and an extremely talented musician. He is very patient and a great motivator. I highly recommend him :)
Teacher's Studio
Sign up for classes with John. Just do it, and you won't regret it.
Whatever the opposite of musically-gifted is, that is what I am. I'm an adult beginner in the truest sense of the word - never read sheet music, couldn't hold a beat to save my life, and hadn't played an instrument. EVER. That's why I'm still amazed that I've learned to play a couple of simple songs after a few lessons with John - it's a great achievement on his part!
John has the patience of a saint and a great ability to teach. If I don't understand a concept or have difficulty contorting my fingers to hold a certain chord, he shows me a different way and can break it down to simpler terms. He's really a great teacher. On top of that, he's laid back, approachable, amiable, and very understanding of my busy work schedule. He makes sure I leave each lesson with enough homework to practice and gives me constructive criticism to work on my technique. Like another reviewer said, John is really worth his weight in gold!!
Teacher's Studio
After only a few lessons, I feel that John is an excellent teacher. He is incredibly knowledgeable and teaches in a way that is easy to understand. He selects pieces for me to practice that are both challenging and fun. I enjoy the lessons very much and would recommend John to anyone.
Teacher's Studio
Worth His Weight In Gold!!!
I've been taking lessons with John for over a year now and I've learned so much from his teachings. He has a way of making you feel at home and relaxed during the lesson. I'm partial to playing the Blues but, he has taught me how to relate the different scales to the different types of music.
At this time I'm learning how to read music and understand the theory behind it. The stage that I am at it comes down to practice. If I put in the practice I will be ready to play for that Jazz/Blues band that I so desire.
At the end of my lesson with John, he always find time for us to have a "jam session" be it Pink Floyd's "Money", Eric Clapton's "Sunshine of Your Love", or some good ole' down home "Blues", we get it done! John is a great teacher, musician, instructor and is as advertised!
Melvin C.
John is a patient and knowledgeable instructor that is easy to work with. He is flexible with lesson planning and he really listens to what the student wants and needs. I believe John is an exceptional music instructor.
A Great Teacher
John is a great teacher, encouraging, knowledgeable and flexible. I would recommend him for any level of lessons.
Provided quick tips that helped me immediately
John is a great one-on-one instructor. I had taken an 8-week, beginner guitar, group lesson through Arlington County, but almost nothing was said about how we were holding our hands or holding the guitar. Several quick suggestions from John improved my ability to practice immediately. He is friendly, easy-going, and has kept up my interest by virtue of what he sends me home with to practice for the next lesson. I don't think one can go wrong taking lessons from John.
John Butler is a great teacher
John is an excellent teacher. He is very knowledgeable about the guitar and the technical aspects of music, and he is also very personable and encouraging. When I started lessons with John last summer I had been playing the guitar for over 30 years, and feel I have learned a tremendous amount from him.
I would recommend him for any level of lessons. He's a great guy!
Could not ask for more..Fantastic teacher!
As someone who knew nothing about playing/reading music of any sort, I find myself recognizing and playing a few chords and notes just after about 10 classes! All thanks to John. I agree with the other reviewer that he truly has the patience of a saint. He is very laid back and helps me learn at my own pace while enjoying myself throughout the process irrespective of how much practice I put in. Whole heartedly recommend John for learning the guitar. Thanks very much John. You are the best!
Great teacher
John is an extremely patient and positive teacher. He is exactly what my son needs. He is encouraging and funny and the lesson with him just flies by. My son, who is not quite six, is already playing many notes and chords and reading music after just two months. I whole-heartedly recommend John.
Enjoying Guitar Lessons
John does a great job teaching me how to play the guitar. He focuses on form, which is important and is patient when I don't get something quite right. If you are looking for a qualified, friendly and professional instructor give him a try.
guitar lessons review
John is patient and he makes learning the guitar fun! His instruction is very encouraging and my son was playing music from the first lesson! We are 100% happy with our choice to go with John!
Very patient and supportive
As an 'older' student, John is great in understanding the time contraints of an adult. He is very patient and never makes one feel like a naughty teenager if not enough time was spent on practice. After a few months I am really starting to have fun with the lessons and look forward to branching into different areas.
John is the best, you cant go wrong with him as your teacher.
A Great Musician and Bass Guitar Instructor!
Jon is one of the best instructor's I've come to know. Although I've only been taking lessons from him since February 2013; he has proven to be a true musician and a great teacher. His teaching style is relaxed which removes the pressure from learning how to play which allows you to absorb more instruction. He instills confidence in you while you're trying to play the instrument which motivates you to want to learn more. We even have a "jam" session at the end of my lesson which is really fun. I enjoy taking lessons from Jon and am sure that every who does (and plan to) share the same feeling. Good job Jon!
Stress Free and Tailored to You
John provides balanced lessons tailored to your level and how much you want to work. Learning music fundamentals and songs are seamlessly mixed. He has a laid back style, which is great.
John is one of the best instructors I have seen...for any subject.
John has a teaching presence, especially with children, which is amazing; he is patient, enthusiastic and very encouraging. As a professional musician, he knows his trade and he has the uncanny ability to share his knowledge in a way that makes perfect sense.
I would recommend John as an instructor for any, and all, levels of instruction.
My lessons
John is cool. His teaching ability is exceptional. Plus he can really teach and more importantly play my genre of music which is Jazz.
Excellent instructor.
Very patient teacher. He has the patience of a Saint.
Great progress.
I plan to continue lessons in the future
The 45 minute lesson just flies by! John is friendly, inspiring, has a great sense of humor and is very patient.
John B. is a great instructor. Thank you.
Great lessons
I am enjoying my lessons with John, he is knowledgeable and the time seems to fly by. I feel I have already learned a lot from John.
Experience
Guitar Instructor
Sep 2004 - May 2009Mary Washington University
Taught privately as an adjunct faculty member. Responsible for guitar instructions in Classical and Jazz guitar. Students were instructed in note reading, theory, improvisation and appropriate classical and jazz guitar repertoire.
Guitar Instructor
Sep 1989 - Dec 1999College of Southern Maryland
Taught privately as well as group guitar instructions for 10 years. Responsible for building a guitar program, maintaining and instructing students in the areas of guitar performance, guitar studies in Classical and Jazz guitar, note reading, improvisation and music theory.
Education
Bachelor of Music
Sep 1992 - May 1996Howard University
Languages
English
Fluent / Native Proficiency
Affiliations
Music Teachers National Association
Sep 1996Let Our Student Counselors Help You
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