There are many different ways to learn how to play the guitar. As a professional musician, I had the good fortune to play with many great guitarists who taught me along the way. For example, I played with Janick, now guitarist for Iron Maiden, in Bruce Dickinson’s solo band. After he would play a cool guitar solo, I’d ask him how he performed a particular run or figure, and he would show it to me. He was happy that I was interested and I was glad to have such a knowledgeable teacher.

That simple, open and friendly relationship between student and teacher is what I aim at in my guitar classes. Just the other day, a new student of mine told me how he had dropped out of his guitar elective at school, because he had experienced a “shaming” teacher. Asked what that meant, he explained: “someone who makes you feel bad when you mess up.” In my view it is necessary and natural to mess up and “messing up”without negative judgment is already part of the students success.

Typically, in the first few lessons I will establish a relaxed and open atmosphere with my students and we will concentrate on learning a few easy riffs and some basic guitar chords. Usually, my students can play some songs within the first month. There are quite a few classic hit songs, which are based on three or four guitar chords, for example “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Free Fallin’”.

Private Lessons On Guitar

Guitar chords can be notated in a few ways, the most common being guitar tabs. Using guitar tab, a number expresses where the fingers have to be placed in order to make the correct guitar chord. For instance, if you want to play an E minor chord, you place your middle finger on the second fret of the fifth string and your ring finger on the second fret of the fourth string (the A and D string respectively). Then you play all the strings with your other hand. In guitar tab, that is expressed with writing the number 2 on top of lines 4 & 5, which signify the strings.

Playing in a band in Los Angeles is a goal for many students and a great way to grow your self-confidence, make friends and learn from other musicians.  To me, it is really exciting to see current and ex-students perform with their new bands. Not that I feel they wouldn’t be there without me, their private lessons guitar teacher, but I know I play and have played a part in their development from beginner to intermediate to expert guitarist.

Starting Guitar Lessons

Starting guitar lessons, learning the basic guitar chords, getting familiar with guitar tabs – all these steps are helping students to gain knowledge, acquire more self-esteem and work toward their personal goal, if it is playing in front of 10.000 people or for the student’s own private enjoyment.