Make Great Music

ONE-TO-ONE LESSONS: IN PERSON OR LIVE VIDEO (ZOOM): You can learn to sing and play: singing~voice~vocal , acoustic & electric guitar , piano & keyboard , bass guitar and ukulele . You can take lessons in any combination.

GROUP WORKSHOPS: IN PERSON OR LIVE VIDEO (ZOOM): You can learn via classes and workshops in: mindful music (in person & online) , songwriting (in person & online) and home studio recording (online) .

IT'S ABOUT YOU. LEARN WHAT YOU WANT: Lessons are about you and your musical desires. I offer customized-to-you instruction geared to your individual interests, goals and pace. My intentions are that you feel satisfied, engaged, inspired while understanding the practical reasons behind what we learn and hopefully have some fun along the way.

REAL MUSIC. REAL SATISFACTION. RIGHT AWAY. I'll help you immediately play and sing actual music that interests you. And you'll see real improvement right away. All while complimenting your unique musical path with technical and music theory skills that are practical and relevant to you.

I have a great time working with John. I feel like things are explained to me at my level and if I don't understand he tries another angle. I am very happy with my lessons.

~ Brandi T. - Police Officer ~

LESSONS FOR ALL LEVELS & GOALS: Lessons for... (Almost) all ages: Adults to any age (you are seriously never "too old" to learn music) and kids (starting between 5-7 years old). All abilities: never-ever, beginning, intermediate and advanced. And all reasons: just for yourself, just for fun, just curious, hobby-ist, professional vocalist and/or professional musician.

LEARN THE STYLES YOU LOVE: Rock, pop, folk ~ acoustic, blues, R&B ~ soul, country, bluegrass, heavy metal, Broadway ~ musical theater, singer-songwriter, alternative, world, jazz, (starter) classical and (almost) any other style you desire.

A student, Aimee, singing.

THE LIMITED WAY

Perhaps you had music lessons as a kid. And perhaps your experience was poor or you don't really remember what the point was. Here's why:

Historically, music is taught abstractly and is disconnected from music we love. Teachers place a lot of emphasis on abstract scales, exercises, and theory... And on uninspiring songs you've never heard of (often from stock method books). Instruments are often taught in constrained, not-so-fun ways that don't relate to your enjoyment of music.

All of this can feel irrelevant, boring, perplexing, esoteric, un-practical and uninspiring... Like learning music has to be a long, arduous slog before you start to: Learn music you like... Gain a basic understanding of what you are doing, why you are doing it and how to apply it... And most importantly: Have satisfying and enjoyable experiences.

Understandably, many students and kids exposed to this way of teaching end up quitting with a less-than-stellar opinion of learning music. I never liked learning that way. So when I started teaching 20 years ago, I did something different..

A student, Frank, playing the guitar.

THE EXPANSIVE WAY

My primary intentions are to get you making music that is fun and inspiring... That meets your needs... And that has you feeling satisfied and engaged... Starting at your first lesson.

We create a customized musical path that is geared towards your unique interests, desires and goals. We focus on music you like and care about. We only do songs you want to do (with some guidance from me to keep you challenged and learning at your potential). We cover the most relevant-and-useful-to-you things first. So you can get see the most progress with the least amount of effort. We don't cover musical techniques that you are not interested or you'll never use.

We work to cultivate your competency, confidence, musicianship, musical problem-solving skills and self-sufficiency. So you can increasingly play and learn what you want, when you want, without assistance from me. We work together for you to finish each lesson feeling like it was effective, enjoyable and challenging-in-a-good-way... And you leave with new practical knowledge that you can take with you and clear, helpful practices to do between lessons.

I have been a student of johns for the past five years now, and I have grown so much. I am amazed how well he is able to answer your questions and help you find what you need to work on. John makes it fun while doing at a pace that is best for you.

~ Jesse W. - High School Student ~

FOR BEGINNERS: "I CAN'T SING", "I'M NOT MUSICAL" OR "I'VE NEVER TAKEN LESSONS"

Anyone can learn. At any point in their lives. No kidding.

Learning to sing and play music is like learning anything else: You can get there if you can bring a positive, yet realistic attitude and an open mind, and spend some time practicing. This is especially true when it comes to singing:

Many people believe that you are born with the ability to sing or not. This is not my experience. Some folks grow up in environments where singing is welcome, encouraged and practiced, and others simply didn't learn this skill. If you were never taught to ride a bike, you probably can't ride a bike. But you can learn at any time.

Sometimes students are hesitant to come to lessons, because they think they should know how to play before they get there. And I gently remind them, "This is why you are here. To learn. You don't need to know it in advance. We'll work with wherever you are." I understand we live in a culture that often expects us to be good at everything. And music lessons are an opportunity to practice letting go of that expectation, and learn something you've always wanted to learn, with expert guidance from an experienced teacher.

Learning how to sing and play music well is essentially a matter of building skills and habits and learning how to get out of your own way. I teach lessons for never-ever, beginner and I-haven't-taken-lessons-before students in a simple, relaxed and straight-forward way that anyone can easily understand and integrate... Even those who may think they are non-musical and can't hold a tune...

I also suggest you read about my non-musical origins and how that informs my teaching and benefits you as a student.

FOR PROFESSIONAL & SEMI-PROFESSIONAL VOCALISTS, MUSICIANS & BANDS

I've worked with many artists, bands, songwriters and singers... From full professionals and notably successful to semi-professionals making music as a significant side hustle to serious hobbyists... And helped them improve their vocal abilities, upgrade their musical skills, refine their songwriting & recording, and find & enhance their own unique sound. I'm a "master teacher" with over 20,000 hours of lesson time with students of all abilities, and I teach innovative techniques that you won't find anywhere else.

Regardless of your skill level, I can help you upgrade: Perhaps you are a high-level instrumentalist that wants to shift into lead singing. Or you're already a singer that wants to improve some aspect of your voice. Or you want to move into improvising on your instrument or deepen your music theory skills. Or you just generally want to elevate your performance or you feel stuck somewhere.

I teach lessons as if you were making an investment in a high-quality instrument. For most of us that become serious about music, we come to appreciate the difference between what we were using and a high-quality upgrade. My intent is that your lessons feel like a money well spent to get the quality you are looking for that will last you a lifetime.

If you are wondering if I can help you with your particular need, feel free to contact me.

In the past when I had other teachers, I was basically paying them money to listen to them play, but John basically breaks it down to my level, a beginners level.

~ Jeremy B. - United States Airforce ~

SINGING & PLAYING

Most instrument students want to learn songs. And most songs have singing. And even though many new students feel unsure about their singing voices, I usually recommend that they add singing to their playing. It makes it more fun and satisfying and tends to be easier than they think. I have some very effective techniques to make this process easy. And to ease you into singing and work with you at a depth that works for your needs. Most students report that they really appreciate my nudge to add basic singing to their playing.

And of course, a lot of students come in BECAUSE I teach both singing and playing.

FOR PARENTS & KIDS

Sometimes lessons for kids can start as a great idea, but turn out to be a challenge in reality, especially when it comes to your child putting in practice time.

Sometimes parents "make" the child continue lessons and practice despite their strong displeasure. And when lessons end, they often stop playing and are left with a negative impression of learning music. Conversely, sometimes parents let the child totally drive the process, and let them stop at the first sign of challenge.

I recommend a middle path.

If you're thinking about signing your son or daughter up for lessons, let's work together to create a positive and flexible, yet bigger picture and effort oriented experience for your child. They'll learn the value and habit of sticking with something meaningful, while having it nourish and excite them along the way.

THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THINGS

I run my business like the way I'd want to be treated as a customer: The relationship part of our professional relationship comes first. I operate with fairness, honesty, transparency and integrity. All of the information about Rates, Location & Hours and Our Lesson Agreement is upfront and easily accessible. There is never a "hard sell" or hidden charges. I want you to feel like you are getting excellent value from your time and money. And that you are valued and respected.

Songwriting workshop session.