Private Lessons
The Teacher: Lessons in the 21st Century
The landscape of guitar education has changed from what it used to be, even in the past fifteen years. Teachers used to be the essential keepers of information - able to unlock musical doors for students when they were ready. But with so much information now instantly accessible online, that is no longer such an important part of a teacher’s work.
Instead, what learners now lack is not information but direction. Over and over again, students express that they are flooded with everything they could be doing, but they don’t know what to focus on. Here, the role of the teacher becomes more akin to information curator - helping the student decide what information is relevant and when.
Another important function of the modern teacher is to help define a framework for the learner’s goals and progress to keep them motivated and hitting milestones, in both the short and long term. This framework can take many forms, such as discussing and defining goals, creating functional practice plans, or developing projects to work toward.
What it is depends on the individual learner; but the reality is that many people learning an instrument will quietly give up on it if they don’t ever feel the joy that comes from using it as a creative outlet and instead are condemned to doing technical exercises for no purpose.
What to Expect from Me
My lessons are, first and foremost, about you and your musical goals. We will begin by working together to define what motivates you and what you want to accomplish before moving into a period of practice and growth. Part of this process often includes defining a project that you will work toward creating, whether that be covering a short riff, writing a song, or creating materials for a band to play.
I aim to build trust and connection with all of my students so they can always feel comfortable asking me for support when they need it. I approach lessons with the belief that we are human-beings first, guitar players second.
What I offer:
Personalized lessons, exercises, and development plans from over 15 years of teaching experience.
20+ years of guitar experience including a Bachelors in Music (Jazz Guitar) and a Masters in Composition.
A wide ranging expertise, including topics of theory, composition, scoring, improvising, and recording.
Guitar techniques such as thumping, legato, finger picking, chordal playing, and improvisation.
Organization and note taking to make sure we can always keep track of the progress you make.
A deep understanding of the learning process and compassion and patience for every individual’s development.
Now What?
If you are interested in having me as a teacher, or even just curious and want more information, you can book a free trial lesson so you can chat with me and see the start of the process - no commitment necessary.
And for full transparency, I am posting my pricing and lesson policy here so you can be informed and see if private lessons are a viable option for you (pricing is in CAD).
If you have any quick questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me here. I hope to chat soon so I can help you get the most out of your musical practice!