Lessons For Teens

Do you want to play your favorite songs? Do you want to learn the tricks that your favorite musicians use to make music that is so cool? That’s what I did when I was a teenager, but I was all on my own, without a teacher or even a friend to show me stuff. It was tough to do that without a teacher but the good part was that I know what it’s like to learn what you want to learn instead of what somebody else thinks you should learn. I learned by having fun and I learned to play like my heroes.

When I got out of college I studied with master guitarist and teacher, Robert Newton, for 5 years so now I have the best of both worlds and that’s what I give to my players: the freedom to Choose what you want to play and the skills to do it well.

Here’s a video of one of my After School Classes from School Of The Future at Peter Karl Studios:

Do you want to start playing guitar for your own enjoyment? Check out Starting Where You Are

Do you already know the basics and want to focus on the areas that interest you most? Choose your course of study and have the freedom to follow your interests with Choosing Where You Go

Are you happy with your ability to play but want help in bringing out your own unique way to play? Discover how to make your own music right now with Using What You Know

Starting Where You Are

An Introduction to the Guitar

You Will Learn:

Your favorite songs
How to play open chords, bar chords and power chords
How to read tablature and play from songbooks
How to find notes quickly
How to strum in rhythm and play with others
How to play scales
How to tune the guitar

and, of course, more

Choosing Where You Go

A Program for Focused Study

Sample Topics:

Fretboard Geography – find your way around the guitar
Expanding With Bar Chords – the fast track to [playing any chord
Growing Your Technique – let your guitar sing, cry, scream and fly
Mastering Scales – explore these patterns of possibility
Playing by Ear – pull music out of the air
Mechanics of Music – see and hear the logic of music theory

and, of course, more

Using What You Know

A Program to Help You Develop Your Style

Sample Topics:

Mastering Rhythm – learn how to make music that dances
Playing With Expression – communicate feelings and moods
Building a Repertoire – showcase your talent to any audience
Songwriting From Your Life – create your own music right away
The Singing Guitarist – arrange songs into your style
Playing Live – make the stage your own

and, of course, more

In addition to learning the songs and skills you’re craving, there are other projects we can do, as well:

Make a video for youtube with great sound quality
Record a song a professional studio
Make an mp3 of yourself playing to share with friends on Facebook and other social sites
Jam with and perform for other players from the studio at regular jam sessions
Have 24-hour access to my growing list of written out in tablature and chord charts in 5 levels of players’ ability

and, of course, more