Lessons

These are classes I teach at Berklee College of Music. Unless otherwise noted, I created all aspects of these classes (concepts, transcriptions, exercises etc) to cover what I feel is important for the professional musician.

Private Lessons

This is where students study one on one with me for 30 min once a week. Every student is different, but I get in depth with improvisation tools such as triad and 7th chord/arpeggio superimposition, Chords and comping in different styles, voice leading, rock solo techniques, modes, scales, reading, ears, rhythm, transcriptions and more.

Guitar Performance Skills Lab

This class meets once a week. Its for entry level students. The main focus is the basics - Scales, triads, reading, chord chart reading. I show a few of my techniques on learning the fretboard. It's a great class to pave the way for the serious player.

Guitar Performance Styles Lab

This class is for the more advanced student. My focus in recent semesters has turned to the WORKING musician. Being a rock star is great, but most of us want to make a living solely from playing guitar. I base the class on my years of playing studio sessions, club dates, sideman and touring. I have encountered countless playing situations with funk bands, top 40 bands, original rock, original singer songwriters, jazz and fusion. I supply students with transcriptions of rhythm parts of Jimi Hendrix, James Brown guitar and ambient textural guitar parts found on albums by singers like Joni Mitchell. I talk about effects to use and techniques for comping in pro situations. I also get into detail with soloing and use transcriptions of Grant Green, Jeff Beck, Steve Lukather and many others.

Recital Performance

This class is for 5th semester performance majors of all instruments. Every student must perform solo, duo and trio+ during the semester. After each performance, students make comments and suggestions. I offer constructive criticism and praise for all performances. The class focuses on improving live chops. This is a class that I did NOT create. It is mandatory for 5th semester performance majors.

Guitar Ensemble

This class usually has 5-7 guitar students. I arrange songs for the 5-7 guitars and we rehearse them weekly. The class also has a rhythm section(bass and drums). The students get to perform with the live band every other week. I have arranged songs by Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Wayne Shorter, Jeff Beck, McCoy Tyner, The Police and many others. This is a class that was already in place at Berklee. I only choose and arrange the songs.

Summer Session

There are 2 sessions I teach during the summer at Berklee. The 5-week Program and Guitar Sessions. I teach theory classes, private lessons and guitar ensembles at the 5-week. Guitar sessions I teach guitar ensembles.

I teach private lessons out of my studio outside of Boston. Rates are $35 for a half hour.

I offer correspondence lessons for those students that live to far away to study out of my studio.

Correspondence Lessons

How does it work?

After setting up lessons via email, the student receives a cassette and written lesson through the mail. The student works on the contents and records them playing the lesson. The tape is sent back to me, and I listen. Then, I send off the next lesson. Lessons should be completed and returned to me in 5-10 days. This keeps the rhythm going.

What Do I learn in the lessons?

This all depends on the student. At Berklee I have a range of students. Jazz, blues, funk, rock, pop. I teach the basics (scales, triads, chords stc), and APPLICATIONS. I help with improvisation in any style, the role of the instrument in different settings, fretboard knowledge, ear training, time and other important issues for musicians.

Do I have to be at a high level to take lessons?

No. I take anyone that wants to improve their playing. If you are willing to put in the work, this is for you. Even if you haven't been playing very long. The goal is to get better.

I might want to go to Berklee. Is this a good way to prepare me?

Yes!

How much are lessons?

Lessons are $50 each. This includes the lesson explained on Cassette (or mini disc) playing examples, play along rhythm parts and written information. Lesson tapes usually run about 20-30 min.

I have more questions!!!

Email me! I'm more than happy to answer questions.