Skip to main content
image of Thomas M.

Guitar with Thomas M.

4.9
(12)
Teaches online
Teaches all skill levels
Age: 5+
Teaching since 2004
Private Guitar Study

    Over 20 Years of Teaching Experience, I have Taught Every Level of Guitar Student in Most Genres

    Whether you are new to music and have chosen Guitar as your first instrument or you are a seasoned vet with hundreds of gigs under your belt, simplicity is key! While I have spend over two decades learning the rules of music and twisting my brain around Jazz Harmony and complex rhythmic patterns, I have come to realize one truth: MUSIC IS SIMPLE! There are seven notes in a key; keep the notes far enough apart so they don't fight with each other; learn to count to four. Oh, and own an instrument that stays in tune. While that may seem like an over-simplification, it is not! I have a very methodical process that I have been honing since I started teaching Full-time at The School of Rock in Downingtown, Pennsylvania (now a nationwide franchise) in 2005. Students are asked to pick a few of their favorite songs to learn. Using their material and few other musical examples chosen by me, students are taught the basics of Standartd Notation, Tablature, chord and scale diagrams, song form charts and other tools to help them learn material efficiently. Within just a couple of weeks, students will be able to play with other musicians. This is life changing! Each lesson will also include a Music Theory concept which will be related to the chosen material. Students start with a Major Scale. Then we move onto intervals, Triads, &th Chords and Jazz Harmony. We then go back to the Major Scale to study it's Modes. Then we move on to more intensive Interval training, more 7th chord work and finally Jazz Chords again. By the second time through the Jazz Harmony, most students not only understand the theory of it, they have been practicing the finger exercises, scales and arpeggios that I have given them so their hands keep up with their brain. The speed of this process varies from student to student but I have seen all of this happen in just a few months. It is amazing to watch! I provide all of my own written material which is tailored to each specific student. Happy Hunting!

    Instructor details

    Location:
    Teaches Online
    Teaches Online

    Teaching Hours

    Tuesday
    2:30 PM-6 PM
    Wednesday
    2:30 PM-6 PM
    Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
    Pricing
    30 minutes
    $50
    45 minutes
    $75
    60 minutes
    $100

    About Thomas M.

    4.9
    (12)
    I LOVE to teach and I am looking for a few more motivated students online and at my home studio on Merritt Island, Florida. Lessons are fun and motivating! Beginning students learn songs that they love while also learning basic theory and instrument technique. Advanced students will have their mind blown by my hard learned, and tested insights into theory, performance, technique as well as songwriting and production. I am very proud of my students, a few of whom have gone on to prestigious music schools and world tours. While this is absolutely no guarantee and by no means do I take credit for their hard work. I have just spent many years learning and teaching the musical facts with a few good insights. If you are excited and motivated to learn, please do not hesitate to get in touch!! ABOUT ME: I have been a full time music instructor and performer for over 15 years! One day when I was 12 back in Maryland my mother, who knew I loved music, asked if I wanted to start taking guitar lessons.....I fell in love with it and here we are!!! I practiced a bunch, started bands and went to school for music. In 2004 I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania (I also have minors in Religion and Philosophy, I feel amazed and blessed to be using even one of them...ha!) After graduation, I moved to Philadelphia with my band, The Gravy (all Bucknell grads) and continued playing shows all over the East Coast. Between touring with the band, I worked in both the Pro Audio (microphones, various recording gear, speakers, keyboards, lighting. etc..) and Guitar sections of a large music store which taught me all about gear, recording and live sound. I was also teaching a few lessons. After realizing retail is not for me, I began teaching 6 days a week (when not on the road) at School of Rock in Downingtown, Pennsylvania in October of 2005. In May of 2008, I relocated to San Diego and began working at the Vista (now Oceanside) branch of the School of Rock. In 2009 I became the Music Director and ran the Vista school until 2012. Running a music school was getting to be too time consuming so I left to pursue a more rigorous performance schedule with my new band on the west coast, The Blue Moonies. I also began my solo project called The Tommy Mitchell Show and continued to teach many of my advanced students privately. I also began coaching youth bands part time at a mom and pop music school called the Rockademy in Solana Beach. Over the past year, my wife (a native East Coaster as well) and I decided that we really missed our families so we relocated back to the East to be closer. Since Moving to Florida in September, I have kept in touch with a few of my West Coast students whom I continue to teach online.

    Thomas Videos

    Watch free videos from your favorite instructors, on-demand, anytime
    Chords in the Key of C Major
    Acoustic Guitar
    12:38
    Beginner
    ReviewsWrite a review
    5
    92%
    4
    8%
    3
    0%
    2
    0%
    1
    0%
    4.9
    12 Reviews
    Jason
    Teacher's studio
    Tom taught my daughter for almost 3 years before moving back East. We were very sad, he is the best! My daughter always left her lessons happy and I could definitely hear her progress over time which was awesome! Highly recommend!
    Posted Nov 12, 2019
    Tristan (son) 21 years old
    Student's home
    thank you from first timer.
    Posted Jan 10, 2016
    Jim Barrett
    Teacher's studio
    I really enjoy learning guitar theory from Thomas. He is very enthusiastic and fun.
    Posted Sep 23, 2015

    Experience

    Music Educator

    Oct, 2012 - Present

    Tommy Mitchell Music Education

    Currently offering lessons in: Acoustic Guitar Arrangement and Composition Audio Engineering Audition Prep Bass Guitar Blues Guitar Composition Music Recording Songwriting Ukulele

    Vocals, Instruments, Sound Engineering, Manager, Promoter

    Jan, 2010 - Present

    The Tommy Mitchell Show, JB and the Movers, and The Blue Moonies

    The Tommy Mitchell Show: Acoustic Instruments (Guitar, Ukulele, Lap Steel, Saxophone, Harmonica, Percussion, Beat Boxing, Melodica...) through a looper Dirty Power Band: Guitar and Vocals JB and The Movers: Guitar and Vocals The Blue Moonies: Guitar and Vocals

    Music Director/Guitar and Bass Instructor

    Oct, 2005 - Oct, 2012

    School of Rock- Downingtown, PA and Vista, CA

    I began working at School of Rock in Downingtown, PA in October of 2005. In May of 2008, I relocated to San Diego and began working at the Vista (now Oceanside) branch of the School of Rock where I was Music Director until 2012 when I left to teach privately and pursue a more rigorous performance schedule with my band The Blue Moonies as well as my solo project called The Tommy M. Show. Three of my students are just beginning their first year at Berklee College of Music in Boston. I have a home studio in Del Mar complete with Cubase 7.5 Artist.

    Education

    Beginner Guitar

    Sep, 1993 - Jun, 1994

    Mark Kromer

    Private Guitar Study

    Sep, 2003 - May, 2004

    Jay Umble

    Bachelor of Arts in Music (Minors in Religion and Philosophy)

    Aug, 2000 - May, 2004

    Bucknell University

    All Subjects

    Sep, 1996 - May, 2000

    Georgetown Preparatory School

    Private Guitar Lessons

    Oct, 1995 - May, 2000

    Stancil's Guitar Studio

    Private Lessons

    • 1:1 lessons with a trusted instructor
    • 300+ subjects to choose from
    • Meet online or in person
    • Free on-demand videos and articles

    This teacher is not currently accepting students