Beginner
I will help you get started with full or partial chords and show you how to practice with an emphasis on learning the kind of songs you want to play right away. Assistance is available to find a suitable guitar and a free inspection (local clients only) of the one you have.
Chords
There are many many kinds of chords! Get guidance for as far as you want to with triads, inversions, minor, major, augmented, and diminished. Learn formulas that chords are constructed from. This may seem like a lot, but It can broken down into bite sized chunks!
Scales
Scales assist you understand what your playing. Minor, major, pentatonic, the blues scales, modes, diminished, help you and are beneficial. This preparation for lead playing and improvisation. Also important aspects like rhythm, feel, ear training, and getting a good sound.
Finger-style
I love finger-style! Learn the simple method my Grandmother taught me. Or get into more Chet Atkins stuff like my Dad played. Or the cool acoustic blues finger-style of Robert Johnson and others. Or wonderful classical guitar pieces on nylon strings.
About Me
Let’s be honest, learning guitar is tough, you need to know someone who has the passion, training, and experience to point you in the right direction for success. The bottom line, that’s what I do; I am the guide. These days I love to explore country, blues, rock, classical, fusion, and jazz styles in my playing.
I am privileged to live beautiful part of the world here in British Columbia, Canada as a semi-retired person with my lovely wife and two special-needs people, my son and daughter. I play music every day! I believe in the medicinal value of music!
Frequently Asked Questions
I have taught many students of all ages over the past 11 years and enjoyed very much being part of their musical journey. I would be happy to provide the dedication to help you reach your musical destination!
I charge $50 CAD per hour (seniors and special-needs get a 10% discount). These rates also apply for Zoom video conferencing lessons. Depending on where you live in the North Okanagan, there is a reasonable additional fee for my mobile service. Remember I offer an introduction/free lesson for all new students!
I teach blues, rock, pop, country, jazz and most other genres. My main interest is blues and jazz-fusion.
I have been playing music since I was very young. I grew up in a musical family.
I took music theory and began formal guitar, ukulele, and choir lessons when I was about 8 years at Mara School (before it was torn down) with my music teacher, Mrs. Spencer. In later years, I included alto sax in my musical journey and played in the regular band class and stage band in junior and high school.
I played jazz-related music and I sight-read sheet music (alto sax) and explored improvisation. I traveled to perform at other schools at various local cities and towns. I continued my guitar playing off and on as well. I studied briefly with two guitar teachers in Calgary and Salmon Arm in the 80’s and 90’s. For the most part I am a self-taught guitar player that did not become a really serious musician until later in life. Now I enjoy participating in jazz jams when I can. Recently I started studying with Berklee.
I have completed the Chords 101 course with Rick Peckham and the Scales 101 course with Dan Bowden with the Berklee Online program from Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA.
I am currently working toward a certificate with Berklee Online.
In the past, I provided a mobile service but the pandemic put a halt to that. Good news, I am back in the saddle again! If this interests you, please contact me ASAP and we can get started. I am very flexible and can work around your schedule.
Yes, absolutely. I am very good at using Zoom for music lessons. You must have some knowledge of how to set up Zoom properly for a musical learning environment. So If you are new to this, there is a bit of a learning curve. If your willing to learn, I can help you.