GUITAR LESSONS: With the guitar, there is so much that can be learned, and that is what often makes people hesitant to try to learn it. Many people think they need to be able to read music to play the guitar. This is simply not true. Learning to read music is like learning how to read and understand a foreign language, and that's not what playing the guitar is all about. When I give lessons to beginners, I start by teaching simple chords and progressions. Many songs people hear today have no more than 4 chords in them. I can often have someone who's never played guitar before, playing one of their favorite songs within a few lessons. This kind of learning is what sparks peoples interest in the instrument, not learning music notation. Once someone has learned how to play a couple of songs they like, we can start going over more advanced material such as new chords, rhythms, and scales.

DRUM LESSONS: The drums can be a fairly easy instrument to play. I honestly feel that if you can do the "Hoky Poky" you can play at least a simple drum beat. There is some notation to be learned, but it is easy. If someone is a beginner looking for drum lessons and/or a drum kit, the following will need to be considered: A drum kit in a typical home is LOUD, and most neighbors will not approve. As a kid I had the cops called on me many times, even when I thought I was "in good" with the neighbors. Also, drum kits can be expensive, costing at least $500 for a basic one. Just keep this in mind if you're thinking of getting drum lessons and/or purchasing a drum kit. I do offer giving drum lessons at my place as well, which may be a good alternative since I have a drum kit here.

STRENGTHS: My biggest strength in teaching is that I am good at figuring out songs by ear. Where other instructors may have you go out and buy the sheet music for a song, I can usually figure it out within a few minutes and start teaching the song right away. Also, I like to record what we worked on each time and email a recording of it to you. It really helps for practicing.

RATES: I can give guitar or drum lessons from either my place or yours. I don't mind driving to someone's place as long as it's not too far from Lake Forest (south Orange County), CA. But for me to drive, I will charge an additional $10 per lesson. If the lessons are to take place at my place, I do have a drum kit, guitars, and an amp that I don't mind students using. Generally one lesson per week is a sufficient way to get lessons. Both guitar and drum lessons are the same rates.