Music Lessons
Play, Learn, Grow: Unlock Your Musical Potential Today!
Piano/Keyboard
We focus essential skills like note identification, reading music, and proper hand positioning, all while exploring fun songs of interest to the individual. Each lesson is tailored to help build a solid foundation and foster a love for playing the piano.Ukulele
Ukulele lessons are a fun and engaging way students as young as six to learn a string instrument. These lessons focus on teaching basic chords, strumming patterns, and simple songs. The Ukulele is a great foundation for the guitar, as movements are transferable once students build finger strength.Guitar
Acoustic and electric guitar lessons offer a comprehensive approach to learning, covering everything from basic chords and strumming techniques to advanced fingerpicking and soloing. Whether you're drawn to the rich, warm tones of an acoustic guitar or the dynamic, amplified sound of an electric guitar, lessons are tailored to suit your style and musical goals, helping you play with skill and confidence.Drums
Drum lessons are designed to help students master rhythm, timing, and coordination while learning fundamental drumming techniques. From basic beats to more complex patterns, these lessons cover essential skills like stick control, reading drum notation, and playing along with various musical styles, making them perfect for aspiring drummers of all levels.One-on-One Lessons
Private music lessons are personalized, one-on-one instruction in my music studio, tailored to each student's unique learning style and musical interests.
Each 30-minute session focuses on building essential skills, exploring new techniques, and fostering a love for music in a supportive and engaging environment.
Let's make some music!
Lessons in Round Rock, TXAn individualized approach to lesssons
Debbie M ā 70-year-old / guitar
Debbie has been playing guitar for about 20 years. She loves writing songs and learned the guitar so she could perform solo. Although she has picked up quite a bit here and there from friends and videos, she feels that her playing is generic. She feels all her songs sound the same. She wants to learn more about chord progressions and music theory.
During our first lessons, we addressed some bad habits with her picking hand. She learned to play some well-known songs that were outside of her basic open chord style. We went on to build finger strength and flexibility so she could make clean barre chords effectively.
Ted R ā 8-year-old / ukuleleĀ
Ted has been showing interest in music for a few months. Ted is very interested in guitar. The family isnāt particularly musical. The parents are wary about a big financial investment for someone so young. Ted can focus for a few minutes at a time.
During our first lesson, we determined that the ukulele was a better fit for Ted. The small size was more accessible to him. The parents were happy with the reduced cost. Ted was happy that what he learns on the ukulele will be readily transferrable to the guitar when heās a bit bigger.
Maggie F ā 15-year-old / guitar
Maggie wanted to learn to play guitar for as long as she can remember. For her 14th birthday her grandparents bought her an acoustic guitar. She tried to learn to play using online lessons but became frustrated. Her parents signed her up for lessons right away. Her favorite musician is Taylor Swift but couldnāt play any of her songs.
During our first lesson, we decided to use a method book because she was missing so many music fundamentals. The first few weeks were spent focusing on basics and developing good habits. Then we began learning Taylor Swift songs. After a few months, she could play just about any Taylor Swift song with minimal difficulty.
Andrew M ā 16-year-old / guitar
Andrew has been playing guitar for about 3 years. He is in love with the instrument and practices about 10 hours a week. He loves hard rock. He knows many song intros and can do some basic solo work. He doesnāt know many complete songs. He spends much of his practice time noodling on the guitar and learning little snippets of songs he finds interesting. He really wants to play in bands.
During our first lesson, we addressed technical and knowledge gaps. Although Andrew had some lessons previously, he felt like he never had a practice routine. We spent the following weeks working together to learn full songs while focusing on some of the more technical aspects of guitar.
Daniel T ā 9-year-old / drumsĀ
Danās parents wanted him to have some musical education. He really wanted to learn drums. However, they wanted to ensure that he was going to stick with it (pun intended) before spending the money on drums. Dan can focus for 3 minutes at a time on a drill.
Dan started on drumming fundamentals using a practice pad and set of sticks and his hands. This let him practice at home (and in the car..Ā and at schoolā¦ to drummers, everything is a drum). During lessons, he enjoyed using the studio drum kit. After a few weeks, he can play basic beats to music. His parents bought him an electric drum kit a few weeks after taking lessons.Ā
Samuel R ā 11-year-old / guitar & drumsĀ
Samuel started out playing guitar. His younger brother took piano lessons and was doing very well. His parents liked that the brother spent less time on the games and screen. They wanted the same for Samuel. After talking with Samuel, they decided to sign him up for guitar lessons. He took guitar lessons for about two months but was never really committed to the practice necessary to progress on the guitar.
During one of the lessons, it was clear he wasn't interested in practicing the guitar. For fun, I suggested we "try" drums for fun. He found it so much easier than guitar. We had a great time playing simple beats to AC/DC songs. They were wary about having a drummer in the house. Acoustic drums can be loud, take up quite a bit of space, and be expensive. I gave them suggestions on an electric drum kit that addressed their concerns. They purchased an electric drum kit once they saw the commitment for Samuel. He showed amazing progression very rapidly! His parents love that he spends less time on the screens and more time playing music with his brother.
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About Me
I discovered my love for guitar at the age of eleven and played in a band throughout high school and college. While I almost majored in music, I ultimately chose a different path, earning a degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. For decades, my passion for music took a backseat to a demanding corporate career. It wasn't until a road trip with my wife that my love for playing was rekindled. Inspired by this newfound spark, I began attending open mics and dedicated myself to daily practice.
When the pandemic hit, I made the bold decision to leave the corporate world and fully embrace music, performing over 100 shows in a single year. During lockdown, I taught myself drums and worked to improve my piano skills, reigniting my lifelong connection to music. While performing was an incredible experience, the lifestyle and long hours started to compete with my home life. That's when I shifted my focus to teaching, starting with guitar, and then adding drums and piano lessons locally.
I still love performing and can be found at the Ruby Bar every third Friday from 7ā9pm. It's a fantastic place unlike anything else in Round Rock. Come see me!
