FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
For teaching I charge 50.00 dollars an hour. I only do hours and I don't teach beginners or people who want me to figure a rock song for them. I teach you how you can do that yourself. I prefer to be paid for two lessons at a time. For private parties I charge 200 for one hour gig, and 100 dollars per hour after the first hour. Sometimes people are toasting or have a wine party where they do a raffle or whatever. If I have to stay I charge just like I am playing. I do take 5 minute breaks every hour. Any job that goes four hours will cost 600 dollars unless there is a large part where I am not playing then 500 dollars. It is hard on fingers to play four hours. I also charge a cartage fee. If the job is a long distance fifty miles to 100 miles. If the job is farther we can talk and arrange the logistics. .
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
We talk about what they need and have in mind. What they want to learn. I don't figure out tunes for people. I teach them to do it for themselves. Then we set a course for their success. If it is a music performance gig we decide what they want, and go about it.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I practice new music all the time. I studied music in college. I studied guitar with the legendary Howard Heitmeyer, who was instrumental in creating my style. I studied Classical from Vince Macaluso. I studied flamenco with Rene Heredia, and Jazz with Jimmy Wyble. Today I listen to singers like Ella, Sinatra, Nat Cole and Tony Bennett. I also listen to Karrin Allyson and Diana Krall as well as Tierney Sutton and others. I watch guitarists like Julian Bream, Ron Eschete, Joe Pass and Paco De Lucia and Vicente Amigo. I listen to pianist like Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Bill Evans,Nat Cole, Oscar Peterson Art Tatum and George Shearing. I once audited a Masterclass with Julian Bream at Cal State Northridge.