Alex Tomaino
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Interested musical styles
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Introduction: I offer guitar and bass lessons to all ages and all styles.
Whether you're picking up your instrument for the first time, or you're a working professional, I'll help you advance as far as your ambition and talent will take you while keeping it fresh, fun, and interesting.
My name is Alex Tomaino. I've been performing and teaching music for over 20 years, helping everyone from adults with years of performance experience to kids as young as 5 reach their full musical potentials.
Every student is different, so every lesson is different: tailored to your interests, needs, pace, skill level, and desires. When you study with me, you focus on what you want to do, not a one-size-fits-all lesson plan. Many of my students are now playing in clubs in Portland, Madison, Florida, New York and beyond, often playing their own tunes. Thanks to lessons that included instruction in songwriting, music theory, and composition.
I recently returned to Portland, my favorite city, after a couple of detours, to attend the University of Texas at Austin on a full scholarship in the master's degree program in jazz performance, and to play guitar with the critically acclaimed gypsy jazz band, Harmonious Wail in Madison, Wisconsin.
While at UT Austin, I taught guitar (including songwriting and theory) at the Austin Live Music Academy (ALMA) founded by Jerry Jeff Walker, and played lead guitar for the popular rock band, Monarchs and other top Austin bands.
I've played SXSW (South by Southwest) and other top venues in Austin, New York, Madison, Denver, Florida and Portland. I have taught virtually every style of music, including rock, jazz, blues, bluegrass, classical, experimental, and more. I also play bass with two local bands, and teach bass for beginning to intermediate students.
Take lessons where and when you want them, at my Portland studio or your location. My rates are just $25 per lesson, and lessons are tailored to your needs, desires and skill levels. I teach guitar lessons, from beginner to pro. For bass lessons, from beginner to intermediate. There are no registration fees. There is no long-term commitment. A recording studio is available to track your progress.
Call me today. Start playing right away.
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Interested musical styles
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Reviews
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Marni L.
Jun 3, 2013
Alex taught guitar to my two boys, age 9 and 12, when we lived in Portland. He really connects with kids and they learned a lot. I always knew they'd be thrilled to learn guitar but he made learning music theory fun and showed them how they could use it to write their own songs. Best guitar teacher ever.
Lindsey B.
Jun 21, 2013
I learned a lot from Alex, including less commonly used jazz chords. He can listen to a song and then play it back on the guitar way better and faster than I could if I was trying to do it by myself. Plus he is a really nice guy! I highly recommend lessons with him.
Sophia W.
Jun 22, 2013
Alex is a spectacular teacher. He approached my musical ability openly and without judgement and tought me many techniques i use to this day. He is patient, very accepting, and thorough. Alex is a brilliant guitarist and a very cool, collected person. I would recommend his classes to students if any age.
Ron K.
Jun 23, 2013
Alex is not only an amazingly talented musician he is also a great teacher. I was lucky to be able to study under Alex during his time in Sarasota, Florida. I learned more about theory in those lessons than I had previously learned over my 10 years of playing guitar. Do yourself a favor and catch him playing out, you will not be disappointed. In the Sarasota music scene he is a local legend.
Frank G.
Jun 28, 2013
I took lessons from Alex for several months and benefited greatly from the time I spent working with him. Unlike many teachers out there, he can both play and teach -- this is pretty rare in my experience.
While I wasn't necessarily looking for someone who could listen to songs and tell me how to play them, on the occasions I asked him to do this I was blown away by how quickly and accurately he could do it.
Alex is also a cool guy and brings an interesting perspective to music instruction -- we had many a philosophical discussion around the finer points of music and how it affects us as people.
Give him a try -- you won't regret it!