Lars R.

I began to teach guitar at 16 years of age. I have taught seven- to 60-year-old students in a wide variety of styles. From age 12 to 21 I took private guitar lessons regularly. Now, I have a lesson every once in a while. I studied jazz guitar primarily with Randy Vincent, one of the San Francisco Bay Area's greatest guitar players. Aside from teaching lessons as a job, I have played guitar in many concerts and continue to do so. Before moving to San Francisco for university studies, I gained a lot of experience and valuable education with guitar. I played in the jazz bands in Junior High and High School. I went to four years of a week-long summer jazz camp called Jazz Camp West, where I took classes, played open mics and had fun with many musicians, making some good friends. I hold BA degrees in Music (Jazz Guitar) and Spanish, as well as an MA in Music, from San Francisco State University. By now, I am confident in working with whatever musical material students offer! Thank you.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a laid back teacher, but I definitely expect students to practice what I suggest they practice. I advise that students use method books or sheet music of some sort, and I will certainly make notes for them and create materials they can learn from. I always teach based on the goals of the student and what type of music they enjoy, but I also like to guide the student in a direction I think would benefit them. I usually introduce music to play right away, conforming of course to the skill level and interest of the student. I now a play seven-string guitar that differs from the standard six-string guitar in that it has one string lower than the low E of a six-string. It will be practical to aide students by accompanying with a bass range instrument.

*** Specialties ***
Guitar
My guitar roots are mainly Jazz, but I am always happy to employ a very wide range of styles. I work with both modal and tonal musical styles.