I am a state certified music teacher and hold a K-6 general education certificate. I have taught general music and instrumental music (band and orchestra) for 8 years as of July 2012, was an Army Bandsperson for nearly 6 years (2001-2006). I have a master's degree in music from the University of Arkansas. Music is a language, and you need to immerse yourself in it! I like to take a holistic approach to the teaching/learning cycle.
Blues Guitar, Folk Guitar, Country Guitar, Classical Guitar, Rock Guitar
Electric guitar, Classical guitar, Acoustic guitar
My influences are:
Right now, Andy McKee, Antoine Dufore, Gabriella y Rodrigo. Also, Fernando Sor, Carcassi, Carulli, Tarrega, the classical masters like Mozart and Beethoven, The Beatles, and even Metallica and Randy Rhoades. Any major Blues Guitarist like Robert Johnson.
The number of years I've given guitar lessons:
My guitar lessons take place in:
The teacher's studio
or the student's home
Guitar Lessons with me take place in the following areas:
Students home or a studio in Tucson, AZ. I live at River and Stone.
My cancellation/booking policy:
24 hour notice for cancellation please. Lessons are scheduled based on our ever changing schedules, so we usually set a time 2 or 3 days before the lesson, but plan on weekly lessons.
Student's house, depending on location: $20-$30 per 30-45 min. lesson. Currently, our apartments have a nice clubhouse which can also be used. Student gets a $5 discount for coming to me.
Which methods of payment are accepted?
Cash, Checks, Paypal
Scales and Exercises, Music Theory, Reading Music, Performance, Fingerstyle, Rhythm guitar, Lead guitar
Your first guitar lesson with me might include the following:
We talk for a little while about what kind of music they like, what do the parents have in mind, I ask them questions about music, such as reading and basics about the guitar. I like to see what pace the student goes and what interests them, what is their learning style.
A guitar lesson with me might entail the following:
Start out with warming and and reviewing previous lessons, might do some improv or 'repeat after me' games. Answer students questions and get into the 'meat' of the lesson. This involves pieces the student is working on and can involve technical or musical challenges. Sometimes we record ourselves. Sometimes we look at new music to decide what's next. Sometimes we play through everything we can to determine what we are retaining.
The qualities I look for in an ideal guitar student might include the following:
Guitar lessons, like any other lessons, work best in a quiet, dedicated environment with a supportive family. When parents ask me questions about repertoire, books, practice habits, it tells me they want results and are willing to dedicate time each day to their instrument. This means setting time aside in relation to the rest of their schedule, setting up a rewards system, and even parents themselves gaining some skills by involving themselves
“I took lessons from Raymond for a number of years while I lived in Gainesville. He is by far the best guitar teacher I have ever had. He knows the instrument well, he knows music and music theory, and he teaches proven methods (Sagreras, Pujol, Carcassi, Aguado, Brouwer). Raymond is an excellent musician and can teach any level or style. So many gu...”