My Approach
I believe that students learn best when they are engaged. That means teaching the student the music he or she wants to play. I will not teach you "Michael Row the Boat Ashore" unless you really want to learn it!

Students progress most quickly and effectively when they understand what they are learning. That's why I provide my students with detailed explanations and encourage questions whenever anything is unclear. I want you to learn general principles you can apply to any song at any time. In other words, I won't just teach you the solo from "Black Dog." I'll also teach you how to apply what you learned from the "Black Dog" solo to other songs. My goal as your teacher is to take you far beyond what you could learn on your own.

I believe it is my responsibility to help students manage and schedule new materials. I can't force students to practice, of course, but I am good at getting students to understand the importance of practice and just as good at helping them organize their practice so that they learn efficiently.

I am not a stern taskmaster. I correct mistakes, but in a gentle, positive way. No one has ever cried in my studio, except for the occasional tear of joy after mastering a difficult riff.

As a songwriter and composer, I understand the importance and the pleasures of creativity, and I encourage it. As a lifelong performing guitarist, I also am happy to help out with performance skills when students ask me to do so. If you want to learn the windmill, I'll see what I can do for you.

When you are ready for your first lesson, I will make time for a personal discussion via phone or email (or maybe in person if I can find the time) in advance of the lesson. We will discuss what you want in your lessons (or what you want for your child) and how we will go about it.

Please feel free to call or email me to discuss your lessons. I like to be as open to potential students as well as my current students.