Guitar & Lute Lessons

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Knowledgeability. I studied not only the guitar and lute at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and at the Richard-Strauss-Conservatory in Munich Germany, but lots of Ear Training and Harmony as well, in fact I got highest achievements in those, because I didn't want to be just another guitarist who can't see past their own instrument. I also did lots of masterclasses with guitarists and lutenists. Versatility. Although I'm classical trained, I love teaching the basics for folk guitar too. I love what I do and want my pupils to do the same.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Seeing pupils flourish. They come with so many misconceptions, but I haven't met a hand or fingers that couldn't play guitar well. You just have to follow the basic rules, and off you go! To know is to love, and you will learn all about technique so you can play fast and furious, or slow and gentle, or anything in between - whatever the music dictates. I'm all about expression, and knowing what it is in the music that you want to express, and having the technique to do it. And ensemble guitar playing: I've published some transcriptions that got very good write-ups.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. The pupil of mine who attended a lute masterclass with the express intention of finding a better lute teacher than myself, only to stick with me after all, and that for many more years, because she saw and heard all the others and liked the questions I asked in the class best, and was told by the teacher that I'm one of the finest around... A knee-slapper, that.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I work hard to be proud of everything I do, but I play lecture-recitals in retirement homes a lot, and really love it when they say I and my guitar are one, and call my programs recitals, not just entertainment, and call me a fine player, etc.
Another job I was particularly proud of was when I got to cheer up two people with my music, by going above and beyond what they had asked for - just one piece - I wound up playing for two hours, and being called a quiet genius, and being asked back to play again and again. That kind of stuff sure makes my day.

Q. What is your greatest strength?

A. Possibly patience. I don't like to toot my own horn, but as long as a pupil really wants to learn how to play, and will put in the practice and believe in him/herself a little, I will tirelessly remove all obstacles until they have the smile of achievement and love of the instrument and the music on their face. I love showing videos from the internet - a great tool in teaching music, I find, because it teaches observation.