Boise Guitar Lessons James Lewis
LESSONS
Welcome Prospective Student!
Guitar lessons are a way to speed up your development on the instrument and start off building good technical habits and practices. Guitar lessons generally meet once a week for 30 minutes to one hour. Classical or jazz guitarists in particular will benefit from studying with a schooled instructor.
The finest guitar instruction in Idaho
Always the caring, encouraging, and enthusiastic guitar coach, I teach all levels of students; from the total beginner to the working professional guitarist looking to improve. Guitar lessons are one half hour each and are conducted in a comfortable teaching studio. I fully use the latest digital technology to support your learning, providing you with an audio recording of each lesson, numerous play along backing tracks, digital slow-down of songs, and more!
Experience
I have been a full-time guitarist and private teacher for over 35 years, assisting literally thousands of students to become the best guitarists they can be. I have played professional gigs in all styles of music in nightclubs, casinos, touring bands, studio recording gigs, restaurants, concerts, festivals, resort hotels, weddings, corporate functions and more! After performing so many gigs over the past 35 years, I am dedicated to your success, and I strive to provide a guitar-learning experience that is superior in every way. That ability comes only from an extensive performance history, years of personal study and achievement on the guitar (my fundamental pursuit in life which continues each day), and years of highly focused teaching experience.
Insight
When we first meet, we will discuss your goals. Then, I will carefully lay out a methodical, multi-faceted, step-by-step, customized program of guitar instruction designed to assist you in accomplishing those goals. I can help you advance your skills quickly with state-of-the-art guitar lessons tailored specifically to your needs and desires. Many of my former students have happily achieved their own personal level of success on the guitar, as a result of my guidance combined with their own dedication and practiceWhy not go right to the source? Success is always a result of a mutual commitment between the student and the teacher. Together, we can achieve your goals. Absolutely.
Specializing in most American guitar styles of guitar playing, including:
… jazz...improvisation, chord-melody, standards, comping
… blues...electric lead, rhythm, blues fingerpicking, and acoustic blues
… rock...classic rock lead soloing styles, rock chording and funk rhythm guitar styles
… shred...legato, sweep picking, tapping, speed-picking, fast arpeggios, progressive fusion, and more
… acoustic fingerstyle...Travis style, classical technique, general fingerpicking, acoustic blues
… country soloing...Nashville-style twang, chickin'-pickin', pedal steel effects, hybrid picking techniques
… classical guitar...traditional classical repertoire
… folk guitar...songs, strumming, fingerpicking, instrumentals
… gypsy jazz...in the style of Django Reinhardt
… general skills and playing songs...learn to play and sing any songs
Emphasizing all important aspects of musicianship for guitarists, including:
… guitar calisthenics and exercises
… lead soloing in any style
… developing songs for performance
… composition
… ear training
… applied music theory
… establishing goals
… mastering scales and arpeggios
… rhythm
… reading music
… accompaniment skills
… transcribing music
… how to practice
PROGRAMS
GUITAR CORE
Reading
Theory
Soloing
Comping (Rhythm Guitar)
Harmony
Fretboard Voice Leading
Chord Melody
Composition
Ear Training
Visualization
… Learning songs from recordings
… Arranging for solo guitar
… Arranging for a Band
… Meter and Oddmeter
… Mastering scales, chords and arpeggios
… Reading (Standard Guitar Notation and Tab)
Beginner programs
A typical 1st lesson for an absolute beginner:
Basic exercise each string, Reading Mel Bay Grade 1; go over alphabet rests etc.; read 1st string, Basic chord shapes, Read simple Tab exercise and 3 classical style note against note tabs, and contemporary songs ( I have 100's of songs that I, and; or the student choose from, learning simple guitar licks and clichés and basic chords.) employing the Reading, Tab and Chords we just learned. ( I try to use songs the students know and like, that way they are drawn to the songs naturally, and the mechanics are absorbed because they like It. They also play for friends and family because they're proud of their repertoire. I believe my style of teaching Is part Traditional Method, Suzuki Method, and typical beginner guitarist hunt and peck (sometimes I make you figure It out with my help) and part anti piano lesson method,(Instead of 4 or 5 songs over 6 months which are usually not that Interesting, and a teacher who doesn't have the capacity to change from Bach to Satrani, or Django or from fingerstyle to fusion funk or any style you like), It's about the student. I believe the more songs you learn the better. Lets just say 100 songs, not being worried If your finger Is perfect or whatever, brings 100 songs of technique and 100 songs. You start getting better faster, and all the finger problems work themselves out through practical application. and you have 100 songs you know and love. Big payoff.
Intermediate programs
When you can play enough songs and It's apparent you can go on the Internet or books etc., and learn songs yourself, time to move on.
More focus on Reading, Theory, Ear Training and Mapping out the fretboard. Connecting positions from scales, arpeggios, Chord Inversions,
Advanced Programs
It's assumed at this point you can read, advanced theory.
Techniques for Playing and Arranging and Composing
Focus on real time Improvising over charts using the styles you like. Arranging for solo guitar and band projects. Using what you know to write songs.
PRICING
Monthly: Four, 30 minute, private lessons $100.00
Weddings/Parties/Events: Hourly $100.00
STUDENT LESSONS POLICY
Note from Jim: I wish we did not have to have this policy, but after years of teaching guitar, this is the way it is.
NO EXCEPTIONS
Due to the high "no show" rate nature of this business lessons must be paid when scheduled in advance. 48 hr. notice to reschedule. No exceptions. You will not be on the schedule until you have paid for the appointment. First come first served.
Because everything is more important than guitar lessons; 30% to 50% will miss their lesson even though they have paid and know they will loose the fee. But with this policy I cut the no pay rate to zero.
48 hour notice to reschedule or you will forfeit the fee. You should plan on missing at least 30% of the lessons. That is the average. Some never miss. Some do. I do not want to be put in the position of judge. |
