My Program
There are a number of things that separate me from other local guitar instructors. My years of playing experience, for one. The fact that I worked in teaching environments outside music, for another. Or it could be my professional lesson studio, or that I put together all my own instructional materials.
Although the list is long, there is one difference that stands out far above the rest. Rather than mimicking the haphazard approach used by most instructors, I’ve developed a systematic program of instruction that is specifically designed to meet the needs of beginning and intermediate level students of the guitar. And as we all know, a good beginning often means the difference between success and failure in any endeavor.
One of the unique features of my program of instruction is the emphasis I place on singing. Although this may seem at first to be unrelated to playing the guitar, over the years I've found that using the voice and fingers together actually accelerates the learning process. From the beginning I work with my students to help them recognize pitch and sing along with the songs they learn to play.
Singing while playing also appears to be more gratifying for students than simply rattling off snippets of rock songs without lyrics. However, I make it clear to all students that my intention is not to make them good singers, but simply to help them gain the confidence and technique necessary to use their voices as a way of expressing themselves when playing the guitar.
I accept students of all ages and abilities and my objective is to help students — regardless of natural talent — develop into competent musicians.
What to expect
Students who are new to the guitar begin by learning a series of exercises that help them get accustomed to moving their fingers on the fretboard. Although this is somewhat dependent upon age, most beginners have their first song after the second or third week of instruction. They continue by learning to play simple single-note melodies which are written in tablature, a system of music notation which does not require note reading.
As the student gains dexterity and confidence on the instrument, I introduce them to duets. In other words, I play chords while the student plays the melody and sings. Eventually, I add a vocal harmony to the mix, which has the effect of turning the simplest melodies into real music while introducing the student to the challenges of working with another musician.
For the intermediate level student who already has some facility with chords and melody, I emphasize the fundamental musical skills: a strong sense of tempo, competence with rhythm, the ability to distinguish between pitches, singing, reading standard music notation, beginning improvisation, and basic music theory.
As students progress from intermediate to advanced level all of the skills of musicianship will be concentrated on and refined. In addition, these students have the option of studying fingerstyle guitar (contemporary acoustic as well as classical). I can also offer advice on singing harmony, arranging tunes, public performance, overcoming obstacles, and developing strategies that make practicing at home more productive.
Policies
I charge $16.25 per half-hour lesson. But for the sake of simplicity, I've adopted a fee system that has a convenient and predictable monthly payment. In other words, whether a month has 4 weeks and 4 lessons or 5 weeks and 5 lessons, the cost is the same.
The monthly fee for Beginners and Intermediate level students is $71.00 per month
Advanced
Advanced students already know how to play the guitar well but are looking to deepen and broaden their knowledge by exploring an approach that relies on using fingers rather than a pick. This is the approach I use and since it is done with the fingers, it is called fingerstyle guitar.
Lesson fee summary
Beginner/Intermediate
$71.00 per month
Advanced
$23.00 per lesson
Port Clinton students
$64.00 for months having 4 weeks; $80.00 for months having 5 weeks
Occasional lessons
I can also accommodate students who desire to take lessons sporadically. Although students lose the monthly discount rate, paying by-the-lesson could be just the thing for an adult with a busy schedule or for school-age students during family vacation times or over the holidays.
paying by-the-lesson (without the monthly discount):
Beginner/Intermediate
$19.00
Advanced
$23.00
Extended lessons
Lessons lasting 45 minutes instead of 30 are available upon request and are priced proportionately.
Payment
For those students paying by-the-month, payment in full is due at the first lesson of each month. This ensures that the student's time slot is reserved for the entire month. When students are unable to attend the first lesson of the month, they should contact me to make alternate payment arrangements.
Make-up lessons
Students wishing to use a make-up lesson will need to choose an available time from the SCHEDULE page and then contact me in order to confirm that the time is indeed available.
Make-up lessons can also be used up by extending regular lessons. For example, 3 lessons lasting 40 min (10 extra minutes x 3 = 30) ; or 2 lessons lasting 45 min (15 extra minutes x 2 = 30). Make-up lessons can also be scheduled during school holidays and vacations.
Make-up lessons cannot be used to pay for any portion of a month.
* Port Clinton students: since I am in Port Clinton only one day a week, students there may continue to use accumulated make-up lessons to reduce payment in months having 5 weeks (pay for 4 lessons, receive 5)
Cancellations
One of the many advantages of working at home is that I can accommodate last minute cancellations — whether it's because of illness, a tight schedule, an emergency or bad weather. However, if you neglect to call and inform me of the cancellation, the lesson will be considered forfeited.
Materials fee
There is a non-refundable annual fee of $15.00 for lesson-related materials that is due each January. Students signing on to my roster after January will be charged a pro-rated amount for the first year.
Holidays
When lessons fall on holidays, I suggest that the student either reschedule the lesson to another day or else take the holiday as a make-up lesson.
There are no lessons scheduled between Christmas Eve and New Years. However, I will be available during that time for students wishing to use accumulated make-up lessons and for those wishing to purchase lessons
over the holidays.
