Sorry this pro can’t do your job, but we know other pros who can. Check them out
About
I offer acoustic and electric guitar lessons for beginning and intermediate students of all ages. I teach a variety of musical styles, including rock and alternative, modern country, blues, folk, jazz, and classical.
Here's a brief rundown on how lessons work for beginners:
1) The first five lessons focus on learning simple chords and strumming exercises, along with some scales to develop the control you have over your fret hand fingers.
2) Once you've gone through those initial lessons, we dive into learning some of the following songs:
Bad Moon Rising by CCR
Dead Flowers by the Rolling Stones
Desolation Row by Bob Dylan
Get Back by The Beatles
All For You by Sister Hazel
Highway To Hell by AC/DC
Our Song by Taylor Swift
Something In The Orange by Zach Bryan
Once you've learned some of those songs and gone through the next set of chord exercises, there are exponentially more songs that you can do. As you learn more chords, it's easier to find songs that are within your ability by artists you like.
For more information about me, you can check out some of the videos of me giving lessons and my band performing. I play in a cover band called the Garage Bandits that performs 3-5 times per month and have also recorded some original music you can hear on most streaming platforms - look up Blue Sky Lightning on Spotify or Apple Music.
I really enjoy teaching students the basics and helping them develop into better guitarists.
Overview
Hired 32 times
Background checked
1 employee
29 years in business
Business hours
Sun10:00 am - 1:00 pmMon10:00 pm - 11:59 pm
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Cash, Credit card, Google Pay, PayPal, Square cash app, Venmo, and Zelle.
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2025
Services offered
Interested musical styles
Rock
Blues
Work location
My customers travel to me
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, responsiveness, and work quality.
Excellent 4.9
24 reviews
5
92%
4
8%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%
Your trust means everything to us. Learn about our review guidelines.
Read reviews that mention:
Chad S.
Mar 16, 2026
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Derrick is a great instructor. Been doing lessons for a few months now and it’s been great. Teaches simple techniques that build and build. Looking forward to continued lessons as I plan long term instruction either him.
Details: 45 - 64 years old • No formal training • No, cannot read music • Acoustic • What the teacher recommends • Yes, the student has an instrument • 45 minutes • At the pro’s location • Remotely (phone or internet)
Guitar Lessons
Lucian D.
Dec 16, 2025
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Great energy. Relaxed, approachable and met me where I was at. The style of teacher was one that I could relate to and he worked with
me to develop a plan and approach for me.
Details: 26 - 44 years old • 0 - 2 yrs of formal training • Yes, can read guitar tabs • Acoustic • Folk • Yes, the student has an instrument • 30 minutes • Remotely (phone or internet)
Guitar Lessons
Sierra H.
Mar 25, 2025
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Derrick was an incredible teacher—his depth of knowledge and endless patience made our online guitarlesson both inspiring and fun. He took the time to break down concepts clearly, encouraged me when I struggled, and created a supportive space to learn. I couldn’t have asked for a better guide on my musical journey! 🎸
Details: 26 - 44 years old • No formal training; some self-taught experience • Yes, can read music staff • Acoustic • Folk • Yes, the student has an instrument • 30 minutes • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc. • Remotely (phone or internet)
Guitar Lessons
William F.
Feb 26, 2025
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Derrick is awesome, I am an older guy trying to learn for the first time and he has patience and does an outstanding job showing me what to do and encouraging me! I highly recommend him if you want to learn the guitar!
Details: 65 years or older • No formal training • No, cannot read music • Acoustic • Rock • Country • Yes, the student has an instrument • 45 minutes • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc. • Remotely (phone or internet)
Acoustic and Electric Guitar Lessons with Derrick's reply
Thanks William! Glad you're enjoying the lessons!
Guitar Lessons
Lisa P.
Oct 6, 2024
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Our 16-year-old took band in school for 5 years. He didn’t really advance or enjoy it and finally quit. Then, he started playing guitar on his own and asked for lessons, I was skeptical about online lessons and our son’s commitment. I could not have been more wrong. Our son has made so much progress in a couple of months. He is greatly enjoying it, practices on his own, and looks forward to his lessons! I asked our son for his thoughts he said “Derrick makes it easy to learn and very personalized.” We highly recommend him!
Details: 14 - 17 years old • No formal training; some self-taught experience • Yes, can read music staff • Acoustic • Country • Yes, the student has an instrument • 30 minutes • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc. • Remotely (phone or internet)
Guitar Lessons
Credentials
Background Check
Wallace Campbell
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My price might be cheaper than others because I'm teaching out of my house, and don't have to pay rent for studio space.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
The first two or three lessons I give the student songs and exercises I think are appropriate, but I'm also evaluating how they do with those to decide what they need to be working on. After a few weeks of lessons, I have a better idea of what a student specifically needs to work on.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have studied with a variety of guitar teachers, some who were classically trained, and others with a jazz background. When I was in college, I taught guitar lessons at a music store, and had a sort of apprenticeship as a teacher for 4 years. During that time the owner of the store and the head teacher coached me on what to do and what not to do with students of varying skill levels and backgrounds. I feel like I learned a lot of very practical skills during that time for teaching beginners that I would not have learned from a Bachelor of Music degree program.