Melissa's Music Lessons

What could be cooler than learning how to play guitar?

Even with only a handful of chords under your fingers, you can learn thousands of songs (really, it’s true)! Even if you feel like you don’t know what you are doing, the mere fact that you are holding a guitar instantly transforms you into a much cooler person. Trust me.

Why take lessons with me?

• I can simplify difficult musical material for you and introduce you to new concepts in a non-intimidating way.
• I can boost your self-confidence by fostering your strengths and showing you how to tackle your weaknesses.
• I can motivate you with fun lesson materials that encourage growth and creativity.
• I can expose you to diverse musical styles, songs, and techniques that will shake you out of those confounded grooves of predictability and banality.
• I can help you craft your OWN distinctive “voice” and standout musical identity.
• I can show you how to structure your practice routine to make it enjoyable, balanced, and efficient.
• I can help train your EARS so that you can better hear melodies, chords, rhythms – one of the most crucial aspects of musical learning.

And most importantly, I can teach you SONGS! This way, you can play actual music for your friends and family, join a band or jam session, or record yourself! We can also work on arrangements of existing songs as well as original songwriting/composition.

My Guitar Teaching Philosophy:

• Motivation is Key: I encourage students to learn and play the styles that interest them. I tailor lessons to their personal goals and aspirations.
• Low Pressure Environment: When you have a lesson with me, I want you to feel comfortable and not under critical scrutiny. I encourage a relaxed and positive atmosphere. We can laugh at our mistakes and not get caught up in our egos. I want you to feel challenged, but not fearful or intimidated.
• Creativity Cultivates Identity and Self-Esteem: A sense of curiosity, a willingness to experiment, and infusing songs with your own quirky, idiosyncratic “spices” transforms the learning process into something more personal, over which you can have ownership.
• Diversity is Ear-Opening: I believe in exposing students to a variety of guitar styles and concepts. Although we all understandably have our own musical preferences and goals, an open ear and mind are essential for the growth of any true student.
• Structure is Freeing: Playing guitar should feel inspiring and fun, but we are able to do more and sound better on our instrument when we approach our practice in an organized, intentional way. Structured practice gives you the tools to play more freely

Genres/Styles I Teach:

Though I have an appreciation for a tantalizing variety of music, I am most proficient in teaching these genres on guitar:

Rock/Pop: Alternative, Classic, Oldies, Folk, Acoustic, Fingerstyle, Indie

Jazz: Swing, Standards, Bossa Nova, Latin Jazz

Blues, R&B, Soul, Motown

What I Can Teach You:

And most importantly….LOTS OF SONGS!

My Rates:

Please Note: Most of my current openings are for online classes via Zoom/Skype/etc, but if you are interested in taking lessons in person, please let me know that is your preference, and we’ll see what we can do!

$35 – Half Hour Lesson

$60 – Hour Lesson

*I offer a 10 percent discount for 4 lessons paid in advance as monthly tuition!*