Lesson Details
Blues Guitar
- Levels Taught:
- Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
I'm a history buff, and this class is a special adventure for guitarist looking to learn more about the blues and incorporate it into their style!
Rachel teaches
About
- Teaches students:
- Ages 5+
- Teaching since:
- May 1998
I started my musical path in a Ballet Studio. I fell in love with the crackle of the vinyl record playing as I learned to listen and dance with the rhythm.
I started playing the guitar when I was in elementary and took classical lessons until I was a teenager.I really enjoy the art of practice and the journey of patience. The process of learning has helped me carve out and cultivate my style of music. It's opened up a lot of doors for me in my life. I've had the honor to play with a lot of great performers and have been lucky enough to tour the U.S. and Canada with festivals and showcases such as Vans Warped Tour, South By Southwest and the Halifax Pop Explosion.I've been the opening act for Carolyn Wonderland, Maria Taylor, Tsunami Bomb, Tilly and the Wall, Basia Bulat, Rise Against, Strike Anywhere. Anathallo, Cursive, Milton Hopkins, and Pony Up.
When I have free time I volunteer with the Houston Chapter of Girls Rock Camp to help teach girls empowerment through songwriting and music.
*** Lesson Details ***
I began teaching as an afterschool job when I was 16. I was homeschooled, so I feel that the experience taught me that everyone learns differently and that there is not just one standardized method to playing music.
My teaching style varies with each student, but the one constant is my ability to make each and every client I encounter completely fall in LOVE with music. It's my super power.
Lesson plans are tailored for your specific needs and to help you achieve your musical goals and aspirations at your desired pace. I enjoy my students and making music with them.
Here is an overview of the lessons that I provide.
Guitar:
Finger Picking, Song Writing, Rhythm, Lead, Scales,Modes & Ear Training.
Songwriting and composition: Learn techniques, how to brain storm and plot your musical story line. This class pairs great with vocal lessons or guitar lessons.
Bass:
Scales, Rhythm, Beginner and Advanced song structure, Ear Training
Ukulele :
Technique, Intro to Chords, Ear Training, Strumming patterns - Ukulele is one of my favorite classes to teach. You simply can not help but smile when playing this instrument!
Vocals :
Breathing techniques, Scales, Harmonizing
Experience
Reviews From students :
Feb 2014 - Dec 2014Our two daughters have been taking guitar and drum lessons from Rachel since February 2014. Rachel’s laid back, fun teaching style has been a perfect match for our family. She makes learning an instrument seem like play, not work! We have found that Rachel reads her students very well, and is highly adept at picking up on their strengths and weaknesses. Rachel is not afraid to challenge her students, giving them the confidence to reach new goals. She is great at giving positive feedback, but can also gently give constructive criticism. Rachel also communicates well with parents, so that we can help our children and stay current on their progress.
Rachel, who is a lifelong, multi-instrumental musician herself, is not just teaching our kids to play songs. She teaches music theory and history, diverse genres, songwriting, timing, finger stretching (for guitar), and listening skills; she is creating lifelong musicians, not “one trick ponies”.
Rachel has been flexible with her time, allowing us to reschedule lessons when needed. We feel very fortunate to have found such a fantastic teacher for our children to learn from!
--- Shawn and Robert
“When we have trouble, she helps us practice it until we nail it!”
--- Tristyn, age 9 (guitar)
“Rachel is super nice and I love the way she treats me and my sister!”
--- Akira, age 5 (drums)
General Manager
Jun 2005 - Aug 2013I spent several years as a manager of GC's management team for multiple stores in the greater Houston area!
Education
Finance
Aug 2000 - May 2001Affiliations
Girls Rock Camp Houston
Jul 2010Girls Rock Camp Houston is a one-week summer day camp formed in October 2009 to offer girls (ages 8-18 years old) music and art based workshops. Targeted areas include: musical development, self-esteem enhancement, creation of their own music, friendship and community building, and nurturing individual talents within a cooperative atmosphere. Additionally, girls will benefit from physical & artistic activities that complement their music instruction.
Goals for the program include empowerment of girls & women though music and providing the opportunity for all definitions of girls & women to succeed in any music-related venture. Girls of all backgrounds and musical levels are encouraged to apply, since a limited number of scholarships will be provided.
Photos & Videos
43 Reviews
Write a ReviewExcelent.
Great Lesson!
Rachel is awesome!
Great first lesson! My daughter was excited throughout the lesson and it continued when we got home. Rachel really brought the lesson down to my daughter’s level effectively.
I really enjoyed my first lesson. She was highly engaged, patient and had outlined a great plan. I’m very much looking forward to my other lessons.
Interesting teacher very patient easy to talk to cares to know how you learn best
Rachel is the best guitar teacher I have ever had...period...EVER! Her easy going method allows me to learn just enough as a beginner to enjoy and then move on to the next lesson. We are not concerned with learning lengthy songs or long, drawn, out scales as I am only a beginner! But at the same time we are not learning row-row-row-your boat. I am learning chords, arpeggios, hammer-ons, lite theory, and all at a very short easy pace which is what I want. Five stars for her as a teacher by far!!!
+ Read MoreRachel is amazing! 5 lessons in and our 7 year old daughter is excited every week to learn more from Rachel and is showing promise and continued passion for music. Rachel is always positive and upbeat yet incredibly patient with our easily frustrated ukelele-pro-in-training. We look forward to more lessons and wisdom from an awesome teacher!
+ Read MoreFirst lesson and it was fantastic - Rachel REALLY cares about her profession and I felt it in her teaching method - can't wait to get some practice in and get back for many more lessons!
I just had my 1st on-line voice lesson with Rachel and found it very enjoyable and valuable. I highly recommend her for those seeking a very good, knowledgeable, friendly voice teacher. She was very quick to tune into what I need to do to improve my voice. She gave me very specific practice instruction personalized for me and my voice and is putting it into a google drive spreadsheet which I really appreciate. I look forward to practicing and continuing lessons with Rachel. I feel very confident that with her support, I will improve my voice and accomplish my goals as a singer/songwriter.
+ Read MoreRachel was Very thorough and patient and I felt very comfortable with her I look forward to my next class!
Awesome teacher! Our son's first lesson, made it fun and inspired him to want more. He cant wait to go back!
She was very helpful and genuinely passionate about wanting to get me excited about learning.
My daughter loved her lesson and is finally enjoying guitar again!
Rachel was excellent. She was very patient and ensured I understood the lesson. Very knowledgeable and able to explain what I was learning.
Also she helped me make a decision on what type of guitar to purchase.
Super impressed with Rachel!! She really took the time in my first lesson to explain the ukulele to me and has tailored my lessons around my music interests. Can't wait for my next lesson!!
My daughter had an awesome time with Rachel she a great instructor patient, and easy to talk too, I hope that we get to have more lessons in the future. Highly recommend!
First lesson went very well!
Rachel is outstanding! Very enjoyable experience to date.
Rachel is great! She's knowledgeable and patient. She knows how to get you to work to your potential.
Very good and patient instructor
Rachel is truly a professional and an inspiration. Her instructions are clear and she is great at making people feel comfortable. I can't wait to see how we progress over a few weeks.
Bomb.com
Rachel is a great guitar instructor. I just met her for the first time and I got lot of lessons cover. I understand much faster because of the way she analyzed her materials. Rachel knows how to make a person loves playing guitar, not just learning. I highly recommend anyone who is thinking about guitar lesson should give Rachel a try.
+ Read MoreRachel's hands-on approach is great!! I'm super excited and looking forward to my future lessons.
Rachel is great! She is patient and is willing to experiment with various teaching styles to ensure you are getting the most out of each lesson.
That was my first guitar lesson in houston and I am not going to bother myself looking for guitar tutors anymore, I really enjoyed it. Rachel is an awesome tutor, she gives everything from inside her that makes you feel every single chord on guitar. Ofcourse i recommend everybody to take guitar lessons with Rachel
+ Read MorePuts lesson in easy to understand terms, concepts and exercises.
Great lesson! I can't wait for my next one!
Awesome! Easy to work with and very knowledgeable.
Fun, great pace, and informative session!
Great first lesson! I can see myself continuing lessons with Rachel.
Lots of info she gives in detail....very awesome....
Fun, great pace, and informative session!
Great experience and so excited to continue working with her!
So far it's been good with Rachel. She has been very patient and my son has been picking up well.
Great knowledge, terrific personality and goal oriented. Im so confident that i will grow and develop vocally with this instructor. Very comfortable yet professional and knowledgeable.
Rachel is one awesome teacher. There is no one else that I would take my lesson from. I plan on getting back to lesson in about 12 weeks.
Rachel was really easy to get along with. She gave a lot of good tips and tricks in regards to practicing. Really knowledgeable about instrument and passionate about her job. She makes the lessons very enjoyable. Absolutely recommend!
Great for beginners. Looking forward to the next lessons.
Excellent teacher!