About Lessons

Meeting times

• Currently, I give individual lessons only. No classes.
• Students are booked into half-hour time slots. Once you book a time, we meet at the same time every week.
• I offer lots of times through the week, but they fill up fast. I have 82 slots available throughout the week and they are currently all full. But with that many students, there is bound to be turnover. So don't hesitate to call. You can at least get your name on a waiting list.

Books and Instruction materials

• Progressive Rhythm Guitar
• Guitar Method One by Aaron Stang
• Modern Method for Guitar by William Leavitt
• Blues You Can Use by John Ganapes
• These books are available at NW. Music in Minot. Phone (701)852-3736

Other materials

• A computer. I have been using a program called tabledit. . There is a free version of it called tefview that is easily installed on your computer. I highly recommend it. You can play along with material at any speed. I use the program all the time in lessons, meaning I am building up a big library of tunes. The computer is optional though, not required. LOL. I haven't been using this program much anymore as of 2004 though.
• Another tab editing program that has been capturing my interest is called guitar pro. It, like tabledit is easy to use. I have found my self using guitar pro more and more in lessons. It's worth checking out.
• Powertab is the latest fun tab editing program. It's great, and it's Free!! I use it much more often now than either guitar pro or tabledit. Powertab Link
• If you really want to be a good player, then get the Amazing Slowdowner right away!!I highly recommend this program to everyone!

• Metronome. These are time keeping devices. Very useful for helping a student with difficult technical passages. When shopping for one, try out it's sound. Make sure it's a sound you like. There are many different kinds of metronomes available at NW Music here in Minot.
• Music stand. I've had students tell me they've practiced with their book on the floor. Not recommended. It's better to have good posture and be comfortable when you practice, not sitting at an awkward angle. You don't have to get a fancy stand either, one of those wire stands should work just fine.
• Folder for your music.
• Blank CD's for slowed down music if applicable.

Getting your guitar ready

• Make sure your guitar is set up and working properly before starting your lessons. Even brand new guitars need to be checked out. They come from the factory without an individual setup.
• Make sure you have a fresh set of strings on your guitar. If you want, I can put the new strings on for you and show you how to do it at the same time. Old strings just don't stay in tune. You should change strings every 6 to 8 weeks at the very least.
• It may turn out your guitar needs some work. NW Music offers repair services. They can lower action, file frets ect...

Acoustic or Electric?

• The age old wisdom is to start on an acoustic no matter what. I don't necessarily agree. While I agree that the basics should be tackled first, it doesn't have to happen on an acoustic. Electric guitars are generally easier to play, smaller strings, lower action ect. They can also be easier to hold on to. So keep that in mind when you select a guitar. If you don't ever want to play electric though, your heart is in the acoustic, then by all means get an acoustic.

Influences:Styles of music

• You should think about what artists, bands, and music you like. This can also influence your selection of a guitar too. I even encourage students to make me a songlist. At the beginning, we go over basics. But as time goes on we can start learning songs, playing music.

About your instructor

• I have been playing guitar for 22 years. My first paying gig was 1984. I've been in both road bands and weekend bands. I've done some recording work for an artist named Steve Erickson from Williston on a cd called Dakota.
• I studied music formally at MSU in Minot. I took 2 and a half years of Theory plus one year of Jazz Improvisation. I played in the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band and a Brass Quintet on Trombone. I also played Trombone in the Jazz Ensemble as well as Guitar. I played Guitar in Jazz Combo and studied Classical Guitar under Dr. Lawson. I also played Bass Guitar for the City Lights vocal ensemble and sang in the MSU Concert Choir for 2 years.
• Currently I play Guitar for Whiskey Jack on the weekends. We play mostly country, but also throw in some rock and roll.
• I try to keep up on all styles of music. In the 80's I played in rock bands and in the 90's it's been mostly country. I also am a big fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan and I love Jazz music a lot.
• I teach music reading and theory too, but students have to realize theory is a big subject to try and teach in a half hour lesson. Any one that is interested in this though, let me know. I may put up more pages on this site about theory, to help you study it on your own.
• Summer of 2005 I was one of the guitar instructors at the international music camp for guitar week.

Contact Me

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