Make Great Music

GUITAR LESSONS: ACOUSTIC & ELECTRIC. IN DENVER, COLORADO.

LEARN WHAT YOU WANT TO LEARN ON GUITAR

I teach awesome guitar lessons for adults and kids at any ability level: never-ever, beginning, some-experience, intermediate and advanced.

I help you learn what you want to learn: Songs you love. Techniques you're curious about. How to sing and play. Fingerpicking. Soloing. Advanced aspects of the guitar. Songwriting. And anything else your heart desires. You can learn on acoustic guitar and/or electric guitar. I also teach workshops and classes in: mindful music (in person & online) , songwriting (in person & online) and home studio recording (online)

I taught myself how to play the guitar in high school shortly after I started playing piano. I was writing and recording songs, and I wanted to diversify my instrument pallet. And I wanted something more portable. I've been playing guitar for 40 years and teaching it for 22 years. I've performed, recorded and written with guitar. It's my go to instrument.

And I'd love help you learn to play guitar. Or improve your current skills. Or dive deep and uncover new-to-you-gems. I encourage you to learn more about my teaching methods on the Lessons Overview & Teaching Philosophy page.

DON'T HAVE A GUITAR? During your free intro lesson, you are welcome to use one of my guitars, and we can talk about what guitar is best for your budget and goals. I do this quite frequently, and it's my pleasure. Also you can contact me beforehand for free guitar buying advice.

STUFF YOU'LL LEARN SPECIFIC TO THE GUITAR

• GUITAR CHORDS: Basic open position, bar chords & advanced chord technique/construction
• STRUMMING: Simple, advanced & improvisational
• GUITAR TECHNIQUE: All levels based on your needs
• FINGERPICKING: Pre-set & improvisational
• TABLATURE: An easier form of stringed instrument notation. Tons of free tab available. Great for guitar.
• GUITAR SOLOING: Improvising is way easier than you think. And learn other artists' solos.

LESSON SPECIFICS FOR ALL INSTRUMENTS

Instruments I teach: acoustic & electric guitar | piano & keyboard | bass guitar | ukulele + singing~voice~vocal

• YOU PICK THE SONGS: We learn the songs you want with guidance from me to help you learn progressively.
• YOU PICK THE STYLES: We learn the styles you like. Folk, rock, blues, pop, country, soul, heavy, singer-songwriter, bluegrass, world, starter jazz, starter classical and anything else.
• EASY, ACCESSIBLE MUSIC READING: We use simple, low-learning-curve forms of written music, instrument technique and memory-based learning. You'll be playing music you like right away.
• MUSICIANSHIP SKILLS: We learn the ins and outs of "musical intelligence" and playing with clear intention.
• CREATIVE PLAYING: We learn various tips and tricks to bring creativity, connection and semi-improvisational skills to your playing.
• SINGING & PLAYING: It's much easier than you think. And even if voice isn't your focus, though it's not required, I encourage everyone to sing as makes your practice and playing experience more engaging.
• USEFUL PRACTICE EXERCISES: Rather than focus on busy-work and unhelpful systems, we use only practical, directly applicable practice exercises and methods to improve musicianship skills and dexterity.
• USEFUL MUSIC THEORY: We explore practical, relevant-to-you music theory/mechanics that will expand your skills and musicianship.
• COACHING & PRACTICE STRATEGIES: We make sure you are on a clear path to reach your goals and have effective strategies to get there.
• BLUES (OPTIONAL): Blues is the foundation of a lot of modern music, and we can explore the ins and outs of soloing and/or accompanying.
• IMPROVISATION (OPTIONAL): We can more deeply delve into improv for both soloing and accompaniment.
• JAMMING (OPTIONAL): We can focus tips, strategies and theory to play confidently, creatively and improvisationally with other people.
• SONGWRITING (OPTIONAL): We can work one-to-one to give you the tools, tips and theory to write your own songs. I also teaching songwriting in small groups: songwriting (in person & online) You can also check out the compilation albums from former students: Transformusical
• RECORDING (OPTIONAL): We can work one-to-one to give you techniques and practices to start or improve your home recordings. I also teaching recording in small groups: home studio recording (online) You can also check out the compilation albums from former students: Transformusical
• OPEN MIC & PERFORMANCE (OPTIONAL): I can help you with your goal to do open mics as well as enhancing your live performance abilities.
• AUDITION PREP (OPTIONAL): We can greatly improv your chances of a successful audition for a musical, a band or a music school. I've helped several students reach those goals.
• VOICE TIPS (OPTIONAL): I also teach robust, practical singing~voice~vocal technique, and if you want to improve your voice along with your instrument, we can go whatever depth works for you.
• COMPLEX MUSIC READING (OPTIONAL): We can learn to read standard staff notation and sight reading.
• WHATEVER ELSE YOU WANT TO LEARN: I can help you learn whatever else you'd like to learn.

» MORE ABOUT LESSONS & TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

» REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS FROM STUDENTS

» LESSON PRICES, STUDIO LOCATION & TEACHING HOURS

» SCHEDULE A FREE INTRO LESSON

John is an incredibly supportive instructor, and has an individuallized approach to teaching. I started taking guitar lessons with him several years ago, but was always interested in singing as well. Like most people, I did not think I could sing. He was every encouraging, and gave me some great tips to make practice efficent and fun. I progressed very quickly, and can actually sing in tune now! I encourage anyone who thinks they can't sing or play an instrument to try John's methodology and see if it works for you!

~ Tina J. - Engineer ~

A student, Frank, playing the guitar.