Private Instruction
We come to you! Providing in-person guitar instruction throughout the Portland metro area. Lessons available both in-home and at our studio location.
All ages, skill levels and musical tastes are welcome. We play rhythm, lead, acoustic and electric guitar. Develop overall musicianship and build confidence in your playing. There is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach: a custom curriculum is tailored to the goals and current skill level of the individual student.
Build strong foundational knowledge. We help self-taught players fill in gaps of understanding by navigating the overwhelming amount of online resources and learning materials. Good listening and practice habits will enhance your learning experience and overall enjoyment of the guitar.
With over 25 years of playing experience, Ryan hopes to share his expertise in a variety of guitar styles, genres, and techniques to allow students to better express themselves and to play the music that they love.
We use our ears, our eyes, our fingers and our voices (and sometimes our brains)!
What you'll learn...
Intermediate & Experienced
Guitarists looking to jam, learn new & challenging songs or styles of music, fill in the gaps in their knowledge... Deep dives into theory, develop technique, transcriptions. We work together to assess personal strengths and weaknesses to guide our practice in an effective way.
Early Age (7yrs+)
Music provides a beautiful way to channel creative energy, connect with others, and can be a powerful vehicle for self expression. A desire to play music precedes formal training.
Adult Beginners
Regular in-person lessons with a knowledgeable and experienced instructor (paired with consistent practice) will get you playing real songs with open chords, bar chords and simple melodies.
Basics
anatomy of the guitar | posture/form/technique | finger strength & coordination | counting rhythm | note names | melodies & open chords | major scale | pentatonic scales | bar chords
Read Music
sight read | sheet music | position playing | tablature | chord charts
Play Songs
listen to recordings | solo transcriptions | active listening | map song structure | slow down difficult sections | play together
Fun Stuff
bends, hammer-ons, pull-offs, whammy bars, palm muting, pinch harmonics, amplification, etc... | fingerpicking, alternating bass, open tunings
Practical Theory
intervals, scales, modes | triads, inversions | 7th chords: quality, construction, extensions | diatonic harmony | key signatures | circle of 5ths | ear training
Lessons are an hour long format, offered weekly ($69/lesson) or biweekly ($79/lesson), billed on a monthly basis.
We offer discounted rates to veterans, educators, and families in financial need. Ask about our free trial lesson!
Additional information
Composition & Improvisation
follow chord changes | targeting quartones | recognize common progressions | study arrangements | fretboard visualization | expand vocabulary | transcribe