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

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.

Homework Offered
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.
1 - 2 hours per week outside of class
Assessments Offered
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.  
Grades Offered