Frequently Asked Questions about...

My Music

Q: What styles do you play?

A: Mostly rock, jazz, and blues however I have an extensive folk and country background and a small classical repertoire. Also I perform opera and art songs while accompanying myself on the guitar.

Q: Do you accompany singers?

A: Yes. I generally require advance preparation and one rehearsal in order to give you a good tempo and to bring out the best in your voice.

Q: Will you work with an existing band?

A: Yes, and I will even do free charity gigs. My only requirement is that the gig and rehearsals be done in a professional fashion.

Q: Would you like to jam with our band?

A: Sure, if it fits in my schedule and is a real jam, not an excuse for a beer bash.

Q: Do you perform as a soloist?

A: Yes. The electric guitar is not well suited to solo performance, so when I perform solo it's generally on the classical or acoustic guitar singing my favorite French, German, and Italian arias and art songs. I've also got an extensive folk, medieval ballad, an old-style country repertoire, and some rock, blues, and jazz. The rock, blues, and jazz aren't well suited to solo performance on the guitar.

Q: Do you do weddings?

A: Yes.

Q: What do you charge per performance?

A: It depends on the location, the date, the amount of time you need me, and who you are. If you're a non-profit charity, you may be able to get me for free as a soloist since I do a lot of volunteer work.

Q: How do I book you?

A: Simply click on the Contact Me link available at the left or from the main page. You may contact me by phone or by E-mail.

Q: Can you put together a group for a specific occasion?

A: Contact me and we'll talk about it. I generally don't do that kind of work any more.

Lessons

Q: How do I sign up for lessons?

A: Simply click on the Contact Me link available at the left or from the main page. You may contact me by phone or by E-mail.

Q: Why should I take lessons?

A: So that you learn to play better than you do. So that you learn efficiently without having to spend a bunch of time re-inventing the wheel, so that there aren't any serious gaps in your skills and knowledge, and so that you don't develop bad habits that will hamper you later.

Q: Do I need any special books or study materials?

"The Principles Of Correct Practice For Guitar" by Jamie Andreas is the only book I require. You can get it directly from Guitar Principles on-line, pick up a used copy if you can find one, or buy one directly from me. All my students must have this book by their second lesson.

Aside from that, the music and method books you select once you get to the advanced beginner or early intermediate stage will depend on the style you like to play. If you want to get beyond the early intermediate level, you will have to play music (and exercises derived from the music) in the style you're studying.

Q: Where do you teach?

A: I generally teach out of my home studio which is near Unser and Tierra Pintada (old 98th just north of Ladera) on the West Side.

Q: Do you teach mobile lessons?

A: Yes. It is more expensive but I can travel as far east as the river, as far south as I-40, as far west as 98th, and as far north as Ellison. Depending on where I am at a given time of day, I may be able to negotiate a mobile lesson outside that area but my travel time and costs will be passed on to you. Most of the mobile lessons I do are for multiple students. I offer an option whereby more than one student can split a one-hour lesson (generally I teach them separately). This works nicely for some families.

Q: Why don't you teach outside that area?

A: If I build my travel time and gas mileage into the lesson fee, it won't be financially practical for my students if I have to travel farther.

Q: How long have you been teaching professionally?

A: I started in early 2007.

Q: What makes you qualified to teach music?

A: I started playing guitar in 1982, studied music theory extensively in high school, and have studied with Jamie Andreas, the creator of the Guitar Principles method of instruction, since July of 2005. In addition to learning the guitar Jamie has been teaching me pedagogy, which is the art of teaching someone else how to play the guitar.