Classical Guitar
Private Instruction

Private Lessons

Learning That Lasts
Private Guitar Lessons

"I cannot promise to make you a great guitar player, but I will help you become a better guitarist."

There are many benefits to studying classical guitar. Here are a few of the most notable:

  • Improved technique: Classical guitar requires a very specific and demanding technique that can be transferred to other styles of guitar playing. This is because classical guitar technique focuses on developing a strong foundation in fingerpicking, which is essential for playing any type of guitar music.
  • Increased musicality: Classical guitar music is often very complex and requires a deep understanding of music theory and harmony. This will help guitarists of all levels to become more musically literate and expressive.
  • Greater finger dexterity: Classical guitar requires precise of finger coordination, which enables greater precision performing all genres of guitar music.
  • Increased confidence: Learning to play classical guitar can be a challenging but rewarding experience. The sense of accomplishment that comes from mastering a difficult piece of music can boost confidence and self-esteem.
James Baird teaching guitar

Student Recitals

Active Learning Experiences
Opportunities for Students to Perform

Performance opportunities give students an opportunity to improve their performance skills and learn the experience of  playing music before an audience. Students find greater incentive to practice and advance to a higher level of musicianship.

Whenever possible, I organize informal student performances before friendly audiences. Beginning students may find solo performing nerve wracking, so I often perform duets alongside them on stage to build confidence, and to provide them with a rewarding musical experience.

Students before recital at Stratford Library

Music Theory

Understanding Pure Music
Study of Melody, Harmony and Rhythm

Music theory is the study of the underlying principles of music.

  • Pitch: The notes of musical scales and how they are organized.
  • Rhythm: The pulse or grouped patterns of beats and accents.
  • Melody: The linear arrangement of notes in a piece of music.
  • Harmony: The simultaneous sounding of two or more notes.
  • Form: The overall structure of a piece of music.
  • Analysis: The process of identifying music’s component parts and understanding how they work together.

Music theory benefits for musicians:

  • By understanding the underlying principles of music, musicians can better interpret and appreciate what they hear.
  • Music theory helps musicians improve their playing by giving them a better understanding of how notes and rhythms work together.
  • Music theory can help musicians compose music by giving them a vocabulary and a set of tools to work with.
  • Music theory can help musicians improvise by giving them a better understanding of the possibilities of music.
  • Music theory can help musicians communicate with other musicians by giving them a common language to use.
Music Theory Montage

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