Music Lessons
Interested in studying music and/or taking guitar lessons with me...?
I've been teaching guitar / music lessons for approximately 20 years. To say the least, it's been a true pride of my life. The transferring of musical information to an open curious mind has been an enriching experience of irreplace. It is my belief that an education in music not only provides a sense of accomplishment and joy but instills a means to evolve by learning to speak through expression unrestraint by inhibition. In essence, a podium of pure elucidation. Ok, ok, ok... enough of my proselytizing.
What styles of music do I teach?
Well... a wise man once told me style is limitation. With that statement I do agree however, below is a list of styles that I have been known to teach:
- Blues
- Rock (Classic, Progressive, Modern)
- Jazz
- Chord Melody
- Fusions
- Varieties of contemporary music styles
What topics are covered?
- Improvisation
- Arranging
- Composition
- Fretboard knowledge
- Music theory
- Technique
- Reading
- Repertoire
What about transcribing songs?
Yes, I transcribe songs. If you have a favorite song from your favorite artist/band that you would like to learn how to play you are more than welcome to bring a copy of that song into your lesson for me to transcribe. If needed, I'm happy to customize the transcription making the song easier to play. In addition, sometimes songs have multiple guitar parts happening at one time. I can combine the multiple parts into one part making performing the song appear more complete.
What do I expect from my students?
Below is a list of some painless criteria that I expect from my students...
- Practice (Come on, you know that one had to be first)
- Show up to your lessons on time
- Bring your lesson materials to each lesson
- Ask questions
- Pay me on time
- And above all else... HAVE FUN!
Notice of Policies
The tuition for private training is $100 for four half-hour lessons or $30 for single half-hour lessons. I do accept checks but there will be a $10.00 charge on returned checks. Please have the checks filled out prior to the lesson to avoid using up the lesson time to fill it out.
I would also like to take the time to remind everyone of my policy about no-shows. Since there are a limited number of sessions available that are convenient to most people, I have to avoid wasting any of the sessions that I do have. Therefore, I have to charge for each appointment whether the student shows or not (for any reason).
If you are planning a vacation, please let me know as soon as possible. I do not charge for vacation time when I am given at least one weeks' notice unless you want me to reserve that same opening for when you return.
If you intend to discontinue lessons for any reason, I would appreciate being notified on or before your last lesson as a courtesy to myself and to the people who might be waiting for an opening.
As for me, if I miss a lesson for any reason you will be credited. I do not expect to be paid for being sick or for having a vacation.
Payment for lessons is to be made in advance of the first lesson. Lessons beginning part way through a month will be prorated through the months' remaining weeks. Payment renewing lessons for the following month is to be received on or by the fourth lesson of the current month.
Popular Policy Questions and Hypotheticals
Question:
I have purchased a single month of guitar lessons for $100. In my second lesson I give you actual notice that I will not be able to make my next, third lesson. What happens?
Answer:
What happens is I make a good faith effort to see whether my schedule has an open time that you may use to make up for the missed lesson. If our schedules are able to coordinate a time within a week of the missed lesson, you are more than welcome to come in for a makeup for that missed lesson. However, if our schedules are unable to coordinate a time within a week of the missed lesson, the missed lesson will be unfortunately lost. Please note, in circumstances such as this, and others, I do not credit monetarily.
Question:
Lets say I give you at least a weeks notice that I will be missing a lesson, may I have a friend come in and substitute in my place?
Answer:
Sure. Lessons are alienable. You are more than welcome to assign your lesson to a friend, family member or whoever you like. However, the assignee of such lesson may attend only on the date and time of your to-be missed scheduled lesson. Please provide me notice of your intentions to assign a lesson before your replacement shows up.
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| Treasure Chest, what's this Treasure Chest thing all about? Good question. The Treasure Chest is a secured private location on by web site which contains teaching material for my private students. As a private student you may be granted access to this area with your own username and password for the purpose of obtaining your lesson material. Please understand these materials are for your private use only and they may not be distributed or disseminated to any third person or persons. Ye be warned. |
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