Learn to Play the Guitar or Ukulele
(Online or in-person)
With over 20 years' teaching experience both online and in person the heart of my teaching is fostering a supportive and enjoyable learning environment, where students can take responsibility for their learning free from ridicule and draconian instruction.
Students ages 7 through adult are welcome. Lessons are student-centered and hands-on, tailored to each student's learning needs and tastes. The music includes jazz, blues, rock, and pop—even video game scores.
I am a 2021 magna cum laude graduate of the Berklee College of Music. I also hold an M.Ed. from the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University. Besides my private teaching practice, I teach at Mischief Studios in Pennington, NJ, and at the Princeton Adult School.
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Commonly Asked Questions
What Will I Learn?
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Instrument components (bridge, nut, frets, etc.) and care.
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Proper posture pick/finger-picking.
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Tuning with a clip-on tuner and by ear.
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Comprehensive music theory including reading music, scales, and time and tempo.
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Playing in a band: it’s more than just playing the instrument!
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Sheet music downloads of popular songs for no extra charge. Educational purposes only.
What Will I Need?
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A guitar (acoustic preferred) or ukulele in good condition with new strings. For instrument care, I suggest Mischief Studios.
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Picks (medium weight suggested).
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Clip-on tuner.
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Music stand.
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Workbook (an appropriate text to be determined).
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Recommended: a "hard shell" case or at least a soft-sided “gig bag.”
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Recommended: guitar strap.
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Note: remember to bring your lesson materials with you (or have handy if online) so you get the most from each lesson. Please be aware I reserve the right to cancel the lesson if you show up empty-handed. You are still obligated to pay for the session.
What Do I Need for Online Lessons?
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In addition to the above, you’ll need a laptop or desktop computer, or tablet with Internet access (smartphone screens are too small to get the most from lessons).
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Windows, Mac, or LINUX operating system.
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Internet service, the faster the better. You can test your connection speed here.
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The best music lesson app to date is the free FarPlay (https://farplay.io/) which requires an Ethernet cable connection and wired headphones or earbuds (wired smartphone earbuds with built-in mics work well). Inexpensive adapters for Ethernet cables to laptop ports or Apple Lightning ports should work fine.
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Zoom, Google Chat, or Whereby may be used. Be aware there will be latency or sound quality problems, unlike with FarPlay.
What About Practice?
It’s assumed you’ll make a good-faith effort in your guitar studies, including practice. Those often lead to discovering the joys of playing guitar and making music on your own. You will also be developing independent musicianship, which is key to becoming a respected guitar player.
We often lead busy lives and making the time to practice the guitar can be difficult. In general, three 30-40 minute sessions per week is a good starting goal. Don’t be afraid to go a little longer if you’re on a roll. We’ll talk about techniques such as targeted practice, which can make practice more helpful.
When Are Lessons Held?
Lessons are available Tuesdays through Fridays from 1-6 pm and by arrangement. Mondays are generally days "off" to avoid rescheduling headaches when a Federal or State holiday is observed on a given Monday.
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What Do Lessons Cost?
$35 per 30 minutes, $45 for 45 minutes, and $65 for an hour. 30-minute lessons are strongly encouraged. Please see below for monthly rates.
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Attendance and Payment Policies
Student Cancellations
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Lesson cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before their scheduled time whether by text, email, or phone call. Life happens, so this policy is flexible in case of emergencies.
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Missed lessons can be made up but they must be held by the end of that month. If you need to reschedule a lesson please contact me as soon as possible so we can set a make-up date. Missed rescheduled lessons cannot be carried over into the next month.
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If you know in advance of cancellations such as for vacations, religious obligations, etc., please notify me when paying that month’s fees. We will treat those as “skips” and you will not be charged for them.
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If you need to take a break, unused lessons can be “banked” for up to two months. After that time, unused lessons will be forfeited.
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Please give two week’s notice, or until the end of the month, if you decide to stop taking lessons.
Rescheduling Lessons
Typically, make-up lessons are held either at an alternate time during a given week or added to a scheduled lesson for a one-hour session.
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Winter Holiday Hours
There are no lessons planned for the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day except by appointment.
Teacher Cancellations
I rarely cancel lessons but if I must cancel, I’ll notify you as far in advance as possible and reschedule at a date and time convenient for us both.
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Payments
Lesson fees for the month are due after the first session via Zelle or Venmo. Missed payments will be allowed three business days’ grace after which you may be removed from the roster.
Lessons are $35 for 30 minutes, $45 for 45 minutes, and $65 for an hour. Below is a table with the monthly rates. Payment is by Zelle, Venmo, or other arrangement. ​Please remember you’re paying for four (or five if there are five weeks in that month) time slots per month whether or not you attend a lesson.
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Questions?
Feel free to send me an email message. I'll reply within two business days.
