FAQ

Where do you teach in New York City?

--I teach in my students’ homes in Manhattan on the Upper East Side and Upper West Side.

Do your students ever come to you?

--No, my teaching schedule in my students’ homes is so busy that I really don't have time to teach people in my place. That might change in the future, but right now I'm teaching exclusively in people's homes.

What's the age range of the students you teach?

--I teach students who are anywhere from 10 years old to seniors with all kinds of different interests in guitar and music.

Do you feel it's ever too old to learn guitar? 

 --No, I don't, and that's been borne out by quite a few students I've taught who started playing guitar when they were seniors and have just fallen in love with it and can't imagine not playing guitar at this point. It enriches their lives tremendously, and it enriches my life to see them embracing the music and playing guitar the way they do.

Do you teach your students music theory?

—I don't teach music theory the standard way, which usually revolves around the memorization of a lot of scales and chord patterns and so on; instead, I tie it in with songs I'm showing students, and the discussion grows out of those songs rather than being removed and theoretical. That way I feel it’s easier for a student to both comprehend and remember what they’re learning.

What levels of guitar do you teach?

—I teach all levels of guitar. I teach people who have never played any guitar before and quite often have never touched a guitar before, and I also teach people who have played for many years who want help pulling together the numerous bits and pieces of guitar knowledge they’ve accumulated.

Do you ever teach someone who doesn't own a guitar? Do you provide guidance about equipment selection in that situation?

—Yes, I do, and that happens frequently. I always say to prospective students not to worry about getting a guitar before the first lesson. One of the things we'll discuss at the end of that first lesson is what kind of guitar they should get and where they can get it.