Background Check
Student Favorite
Michael F.
Background Check
Student Favorite
Teaching Locations:
Online
About Michael F.
My name is Mike, and I have been teaching the guitar for over 20 years. I have helped hundreds of musicians develop their skills. As a performer, I have played in many bands, and shared the stage with performers such as Imagine Dragons, Train, Blues Traveler, Camper Van Beethoven, and countless others. In addition to teaching music and rock ensemble to the students at the University of San Francisco, I maintain an active schedule of teaching, performing and recording. My most memorable musical experience was playing "Imagine" on my guitar for His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama in 2003.
My teaching philosophy is that if you understand the instrument, you can play any style of music you choose. The more you dedicate yourself to learning the fretboard, the more freely you can express yourself musically.
Private instruction includes everything from basic chording to advanced theory and technique, with a focus on the mechanics of the instrument. Topics covered include rhythm and technique studies, chord and scale theory, chord progressions, songwriting, musicality and performance, and improvisation. These topics are studied at a rate commensurate with the studentʼs ability.
Reviews
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Online
Online
Michael had a first lesson with my son Will (who is also on the autism spectrum)- he worked very well with Will and sees solid potential in Wills ear and following directions. Will gave him a great review and is excited for his next lesson.
Online
Awesome, methodical lesson. Great instruction.
Online
Im learning a whole new way to think about the guitar. The lessons are really fun and im seeing improvements already.
Online
Mike went through the CAGED system and taught me something I wish I knew for years. Great 1st lesson and looking forward to the next!
Online
Online
Really enjoyed the lesson! Very professional and knows what they're talking about! Can't wait for the next one!
Online
Jake seemed to really be engaged! Thx Michael!
Student's Home
Mike is awesome. He's knowledgeable, supportive, skilled as both a teacher and guitar player, and knows exactly how to find and focus on the things you need to improve as a student. I've been with him for years now, and I can't recommend him highly enough.
Also, he has the cutest dog (Rocco) of any guitar teacher in the Bay Area, hands down.
Online
Fun
Online
Teacher's Studio
Mike is an awesome guitar teacher and a good dude. Looking forward to continuing to learn from him.
Mike is an excellent guitar teacher with a well thought out and easy to approach plan for new players. His passion, depth of knowledge, and talent are plain to see. He combines that with a real aptitude for teaching.
Mike is great! Friendly, knowledgeable, positive, takes good notes that are helpful to refer back to later, and seems to adjust to whatever level student you are.
What a find Mike has been. Friendly, fun, knowledgeable, Mike is a great teacher. I have been playing decades and Mike is helping teach me a boat load of new things, even in the first few lessons. I can't wait till the next one.
I've been a student of Michael for almost three months now and all I have to say is he is a great teacher! Not only he is friendly and thoughtful, he is also encouraging about in the way how you'd like to learn. I strongly recommend him!
Mike is smart, friendly, and will push you. He's full of great advice and will cater to your skill level, fill gaps where they are needed and help you grow more confident as a guitarist, musician, and performer. I really enjoyed working with him and he's a truly great instructor.
Michael has been great so far. Teaching me all of the major and minor chord inversions as well as working on the circle of fifths.
Michael is an excellent teacher with an easygoing personality - highly recommend!
Michael is an incredible teacher! He's very patient and good at making you play things you didn't realize you were good enough to play. He has a very obvious love for music and the guitar, and his enthusiasm is contagious.
Great first lesson!
Great teacher. I've been playing guitar for 14 years and I'm still learning a lot for Michael
Mike is a knowledgable and passionate guitar teacher. He cares about theory, musicality, and expression. I've looked around for a great guitar teacher for the past year, and certainly found one in Mike. I highly recommend him if you're looking to start playing the guitar, or if you hope to move on to the next level of playing.
I'm an experienced guitar player who was looking for some new exercises that might be better learned in person rather than online. Michael gauged my skill well and gave me some fitting things to work on.
Mike is a great and experienced teacher! He is so patient and encouraging! He knows many mini practices to improve personal skills. He teaches me to understand music, rather than playing straight from a sheet.
I have some prior guitar experience so one class with Michael is enough for me to realize that he is great teacher. He has obviously been doing this for a while and he knows how to set the pace based on my level. We covered a lot of ground, and set up a good set of practice exercises. Looking forward to my next class.
Michael is an absolutely excellent instructor. I am a complete beginner and Michael explains things clearly and succinctly. He went through enough music theory to give me a good baseline to continue learning, but also balanced it with immediate practical skills. After 2 lessons, I'm already working on learning my first songs. Michael is both an outstanding musician and a great teacher.
Mike is a great teacher! He answers all of my questions (and I have a lot!) with patience and enthusiasm. I really look forward to lessons and feel like I'm getting a great foundation in how to play guitar and understand how music works.
Experience
Faculty/Instructor
Aug 2001 - PresentUniversity of San Francisco
Provide private instruction in guitar, violin, and general music theory and performance to undergraduate students. Coordinate and conduct student recitals.
Guitar Teacher
Jan 1995 - PresentSelf-Employed
Faculty/Instructor
Mar 2004 - Dec 2008Music In Schools Today
Facilitated musical instruction to classes in San Francisco public schools grades K-8. Coordinated and conducted musical presentations to schools that lacked the funding for school music programs, and working with at-risk youth.
Faculty/Instructor
Sep 2006 - Jun 2008San Francisco Friends School
Provided after-school private guitar and violin instruction to young students.
Faculty/Instructor
Sep 2006 - Jun 2008Cathedral School For Boys
Provided after-school private guitar and violin instruction to young students.
Faculty/Instructor
Jan 2006 - Mar 2008Blue Bear School Of Music
Conducted 10-week classic rock band workshops for young and adult students, including a live performance. Conducted 20-week program for students at the Woodside International School in San Francisco, as part of the school’s ensemble music program.
Faculty/Instructor
Jun 2005 - Mar 2008Bandworks
Conducted week-long summer camps for kids and teens involving CD recording, introduction to rock band, and songwriting. Conducted 8-week band workshops for young and adult students, including a live performance. Conducted 10-week band workshop for students at Live Oak School in San Francisco as part of the school’s extended care program. The workshop includes a live performance for parents and students.
Education
Bachelor Of Arts Psychology
Sep 1988 - Mar 1992La Salle University
Affiliations
American Federation of Teachers
Aug 2010Let Our Student Counselors Help You
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