Guitar Lessons---Rob's Program---Vista, Ca. San Diego County Music Exchange

If you are a continuing or entering student, please review this sheet thoroughly, as it contains some helpful hints on practicing and my complete lesson policy.

The Lesson Content.

Lessons consist almost entirely of what the student would like to learn. I encourage my students to find facets of the guitar which interest them. I urge students to choose their own songs and learning materials. I have a large collection of sheet music, books, and recordings which I am more than happy to recommend or loan to you. Please do not hesitate to ask for them. There are a few subjects I insist on covering, including basic technique, and music reading in at least the first position of the guitar. There are many other areas you may choose to pursue, such as theory, ear training, improvisation, techniques in jazz, rock, and my specialty, classical guitar.

Practice, Practice, Practice.

I once was telling another guitarist about 60 dollars I had made in a one hour classical performance. He was quick to respond: "Yah, but you worked for that 60 dollars." He wasn't talking about my grueling one hour of playing, but the countless hours I had spent preparing. Although I will give you a vast world of profound knowledge (just kidding), most of what you will learn will be in your own bedroom, living room, front porch, or whatever. Although I will give you guidance and direction and assist you in developing good habits, frequent practice is essential. The student improves at home, NOT at the lesson. Every lesson will begin with an assessment of your improvement by going over material from the previous week. Please be prepared!

Parents: Infrequent practice could be a sign of a disinterested student. If your child is not practicing regularly, you should not only be concerned, but curious as to why they are not. I do not believe in forced learning. Be sure the student has an genuine interest in learning such a complex and diverse instrument, and that they are studying what they want to study. If I hadn't started with Van Halen, It is unlikely that I would have ever developed an interest in Mozart. For some people, the reverse is true. A student recently left my studio saying "thanks, it was fun." I consider this to be one of the highest compliments I've ever received as a teacher. Guitar is difficult in the initial months, but grows easier when the hands become more flexible and the fingers more sensitive. Don't be discouraged. Persistence and positivity are key.

How to Practice.

Practicing is not just working on your musical skills, It's time management. Give yourself fairly small amounts of time to accomplish a single goal. A great teacher once told me that giving yourself to much time will cause the task to expand to fit the time. There are incredible amounts of material to learn, and I have found from experience that you will never learn them all, but you will have alot more fun trying if you make sure you give yourself time on several of them. If you have only an hour for example, try 15 minutes of scales, 15 of reading, 15 of chords, and 15 of songs.

Who I am

During the past 6 years, I have had the honor and pleasure of earning a Master's degree in music through UCSD, and SDSU, respectively. This is my eighth year teaching at SDCME, and my eleventh year playing. I had the good fortune of studying with a variety of private teachers including classical guitarists Celin and Pepe Romero, and Studio musician Carol Kaye, as well as some highly adept local musicians, Gary Stewart, Jim Miller, and John Pramas. I still feel like a musical child. Guitar is a lifelong process of learning that stops in sync with your pulse.

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Policy

The Package Deal

People frequently ask me if there is some sort of package deal, so now I am offering three months (12 weeks) of lessons at the discounted price of 190 dollars. This is on an advance paid non-refundable basis, and no credits are given for cancellations of any kind, unless canceled by the instructor. This is meant to reward reliable students and guarantee me a steady check and easy bookkeeping.

Supplies

I recommend either Hal Leonard's Progressive Guitar Method or Sight to Sound, both of which are available at SDCME. I also like my students to have a metronome and tuner or pitch pipe. Students pursuing music theory should consider buying Rudiments of Music.

Rob's Schedule