Teaching

For over 12 years now, I've custom tailored all my lessons for every guitar and piano student. I love learning about the person and their individual experience, goals, needs, personality, learning style, likes, dislikes, etc. and I love learning new songs, not just teaching the same handful to different students. I work mostly with beginner to intermediate adults and particularly enjoy someone discovering they can learn an instrument later in life. I love helping someone learn their first song as much as helping them work their way up to a “holy grail” song. I design lessons for each individual student based on their skill level and musical tastes (my main areas of focus are in the pop/rock/folk/indie genres ranging back to the 60’s up to current music and additional classical experience on piano as well). I believe the best way to learn music is to play music that excites you. I teach everything from technique to theory using the student’s favorite songs and adjusting them as needed. To get good at an instrument you need to practice. Wouldn’t you like to spend that time repeatedly playing something you actually like? Also, it's important to me that music for students is not just a task to be completed, but rather something that offers a space for self-reflection and curiosity, comfort and simple joys. I also have extensive composition training and experience so I'm happy to guide any students interested in that side of things.

Your first lesson (which I offer for free) is more of a get-to-know-you session so I can determine your experience, goals, and the music you enjoy. Then I'll go home and develop a lesson for the next week that uses the actual songs/styles/artists you enjoy.

You can read some reviews below to see what others have thought about their experiences with my teaching style, then send me an email at matt@matthmusic.com to get started with your lessons. I look forward to getting to know you!

“Taking lessons with Matt has been one of the best experiences I’ve given myself in my adult life. I can’t believe how well I can play guitar now after never playing an instrument before. Matt is incredibly patient and will work to adapt to his student’s learning abilities. He is a fantastic guitarist himself and will figure out a guitar version of any song you can throw at him. He understands that learning music can be a very personal experience and approaches teaching without judgment. He really does everything he can to make his lessons a safe musical space. Frankly, he’s also a wonderful person, the music teacher we all wished we’d had as kids. I’ve been taking reasonably-priced lessons with him for about three years now and I am thrilled with my new artistic ability. Give yourself the gift of lessons with Matt. It’s rewarding in a way I never expected.”

“Matt is a marvelous teacher: insightful, patient, yet gently demanding. He was careful to understand the sort of music I wanted to learn and tailored our work together to match my interests. I’ve made more progress in two years than I had the previous fifty. I would enthusiastically recommend him to any aspiring guitarist.”

"Kind, laid back but organized, knowledgable and a terrific teacher. You won't regret signing up for lessons with Matt."

“Guitar lessons with Matt have been awesome! I started off as a beginner, only knowing about four basic chords. Matt let me pick songs I liked and wanted to learn. Gradually, I was able to play new chord formations, finger-picking, and strum patterns while learning some music theory along the way! Even my musician/singer wife is thrilled that I can finally play well enough for her to sing along without awkward pauses and funny looks! Matt is also a great composer and one of his folk songs is already on my to-learn list. The progress I’ve made in just over a year has been amazing and I can’t wait to learn more!”