Private 1:1 Guitar Lessons for Beginners
In this ongoing, once-per-week, one-to-one guitar lesson, we'll focus on where the learner is in their musical journey, tailoring the lessons to their personal interests and skill level. Let's make learning the guitar engaging and fun!
Lesley Braden
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(2)
What's included
Meets on Demand
schedule meetings as needed30 mins
per sessionTeacher support
Homework
1-2 hours per week. Practice outside of lesson time is key when learning a musical instrument. I cannot guarantee positive outcomes from guitar lessons unless students also play on their own time. I will always provide the student with activities and materials to work through on their own time between lessons.Assessment
At each lesson, we will review and incorporate what has already been learned. Areas where a student has done well or improved will be positively noted. If a student is still struggling to master a concept or skill, we will continue to work on it, possibly from multiple approaches if needed, until the student is ready to move on to the next step.Class Experience
In this weekly 30-minute session, students will start out by becoming familiar with the basics of the operation and care of their guitar (tuning, positioning, parts and their functions, handling). This will be continually reinforced at each lesson as we move forward into playing notes, chords, and songs. In addition to playing by ear, we will also eventually incorporate reading music into the lessons, whether it is through chord diagrams, tablature (TAB), and/or the musical staff. I am an experienced songwriter and music producer, so if the student has interests that lie in wanting to write and record their own music, we can also eventually incorporate that into our lessons. Everyone decides they want to learn how to play the guitar for their own reasons, so I make sure to explore the student's interests and tailor each lesson so that what I teach is engaging and fun. This is the key to maintaining a student's interest in practicing and continually improving. I emphasize confidence-building measures to help students feel aware of their progress and discourage them from wanting to give up. And I also let them know that making mistakes is how we get better, so it's OK! The basic structure of each lesson will include: 1. Hello and check in 2. Warm up exercises 3. Review last week, address any concerns or issues 4. Introduce new concept (teacher demonstrates) 5. Practice new concept (student plays) 6. Correct and improve technique 7. Check for understanding, answer any questions, address any issues 8. Recap and explain what to work on for next week, with take-home materials. 9. Bye bye and enjoy your week! **NOTE: I generally am booking afternoons PST Monday/Tuesday/Friday/Saturday. However, if you do not see a time slot that suits your schedule, please reach out to me - maybe we can arrange something! I also offer 45-minute and 60-minute lessons.**
Learning Goals
Beginning Students will progress through the following skills and concepts (depending on their interests and experience level, and not always in sequential order):
- Learning the basics of the guitar (parts, operation, and care)
- Tuning the guitar
- The names of the strings
- Playing notes on each string
- Playing chords (open, barre, power)
- Strumming patterns/rhythm
- Playing songs
- Reading tablature (TAB)
- Reading chord diagrams
- Reading musical notation on a staff
- Scale patterns
- Singing and playing at the same time
- "Jamming" with other musicians or backing tracks
- More advanced techniques like palm muting, basic fingerpicking, and bends
- Concepts like ear training, music theory, and songwriting
- Technology like amplifiers, stomp boxes/pedals, and the physics of sound and how guitars work
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Guardians, please log in to Outchool, be sure to have your notifications turned on, and read your messages.
It is important that at the beginning of each lesson the Zoom settings are adjusted to "Turn On Original Sound" so that I can hear the what the learner is playing. Here is a website to help you if you need it.
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360046244692-Configuring-professional-audio-settings-for-Zoom-Meetings
Thank you!
Supply List
Please be in touch when you enroll in this class and let me know the learner's music background and experience, whether they will be playing an acoustic or electric guitar, and what kind of music they like. This helps me prepare in advance and make the most use of our first lesson. Thanks! In order to be successful guitar lessons, the learner should have: - Guitar (if a learner is young or has smaller hands, a smaller guitar may be most appropriate) - Metronome (can be app-based) - Guitar picks - Guitar tuner (can be an app on a phone or tablet). Recommended: - Method Book (I prefer Hal Leonard Guitar TAB method or Hal Leonard Guitar Method. Be in touch if you'd like advice about which one would be best for your goals) - Headphones (to improve sound quality and reduce delay) - Capo (not right away, but eventually) If learning electric guitar, please also have: - Instrument cable - Guitar amplifier Also, for a MUCH better experience through Zoom, please enable "original sound for musicians" in the Zoom Audio preferences. When you join the meeting, you will also need to turn ON "original sound for musicians." Thanks so much for doing this in advance. Be in touch if you need guidance.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined May, 2022
5.0
2reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Music or Theatre or Arts from University of Washington
I've played guitar and bass guitar for 30 years, played in bands, and worked professionally as a musician, producer, and audio engineer. I've also worked as a guitar repair technician.
I've received an AA degree in Audio Engineering, a BA degree in Musicology, and am working on an MA in Music Composition for Media (Films, Video Games, and Commercials).
I've volunteered and worked as a teaching assistant in elementary schools, as well.
Reviews
Live 1-on-1 Lessons
$30
per sessionMeets on demand
30 min
Completed by 10 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 12-18
