Music is a journey that starts when you first hum a tune and never ends....

I started music lessons when I was in first grade, taking drumming lessons (much to my parents' distress) at the Mountain View Community Arts Center, and later took up guitar and, finally, mandolin. I now take lessons - playing and composition - from Mike Marshall, surely one of the greatest mandolin artists in the world today. I also try to attend the Mandolin Symposium each year to further develop my knowledge and skills and to stimulate my creative juices.

I have been extremely fortunate to have been taught - and continue to be taught - by some really great teachers. As such, I have learned that it is really important to combine the attention to the discipline of technique, including being able to read music, with the joy of actually being able to produce music that you and your friends can enjoy.

For beginners, I like to work on just enough technique to get a new student playing some basic songs. After that, I try to teach each new technique by teaching a song that uses the technique. Proper hand position and fingering technique is incredibly important, but it's also incredibly boring to learn. I like to help the student progress technically by applying that technique to actual music. This way, the student can look back each month and say 'Not only did I learn these new chords, or scales, or fingering techniques. But I can also play all these new songs.' And after all, the goal of your lesson is to play music.

Every student must understand that lessons are just a small part of building a musical skill. The most important progress is made when the student follows up lessons with lots of independent practice!

Rates

I charge $25 for a half hour lesson.

Usually, this is arranged as a monthly program at $100 per month.

Some months will work out such that you get 5 lessons instead of 4. I do not charge for that extra lesson. However, I do take time off when I have to perform out of town, so it tends to all work out. I will always make sure that you get at least 4 lessons for your $100!

Location

Currently I am teaching only on weekends at Norms Music in Mountain View. (Map)

More Information

If you would like to discuss lessons further or arrange for some lessons, please contact me directly.