| I began studying classical guitar at Medicine Hat College over 20 years ago under the guidance of performing classical guitarist William Frank- student of famed technique author Aaron Shearer. Rapid progress resulted in my winning the Silver Medal Award for Performance-a yearly National Competition sanctioned by The Toronto Royal Conservatory of Music. It was the first time a guitarist was honored with the award at MHC. Shortly thereafter I accepted a teaching position at MHC, until leaving to attend Simon Fraser University in Kelowna, B.C. |
1. Finger Dexterity
2. Sight Reading Notes and Tab
3. Chords & Rhythm
4. Melody & Ear Training
If you have never played a fretted instrument before, then it may take a little getting used to. Your fingers are use to working as a team, not one at a time, with both hands doing unrelated things. You’ll learn specific hand and finger exercises consistent with playing the guitar. Chords and scales are easier when your fingers know where to go and how to get there. Use my simple method for 5-10 minutes a
day.
| A basic knowledge of sight reading notes helps you learn tunes faster. When asked whether he could read music, the late great jazz trumpeter, Dizzy Gillespie replied, "Yah, but I don't let it get in the way." You will learn to read the notes for most simple songs across all 6 strings in about 6 weeks – one string per week. Practice will make the difference between sooner or later. That part is up to you. Many songs written in ‘guitar tab’ are available on-line. Tab is a system for guitar players to see exact fingerings of how a song is played. Unfortunately quite often these internet songs are not written correctly, or the rhythm is not indicated. I have a vast library of original note-for-note transcriptions available to my students. |
| Chords are 2 or more notes from a scale played together. You’ll learn to play chords right away, scales come soon after. Playing a sequence of chords together is another way to say ‘play a song’. You’ll learn how chords are built from scales and how they fit together. Hard, classic or alternative rock, blues, bluegrass, jazz and classical and flamenco are all defined by their rhythm. As a beginning guitar player, you will be introduced to as many of these styles as you choose. If there is a specific direction you want to go, we can focus on that. I teach harmony or chord theory as it applies to the music we are playing. In other words, not just playing tunes, but understanding what you are playing. |
If you can hum a tune, you can play it. I'll show you how. Regardless of age or ability, my teaching approach is designed to help you apply solid fundamentals to either guitar or bass, in the musical style you want to play - at your own pace. You pick the direction you want to go, and I'll show you the best way to get there.