Learn Guitar
Learn to play guitar easily and quickly with a patient teacher and performing musician in a scenic setting of the San Francisco bay area. Absolute beginners to intermediate guitarists. Acoustic and/or electric guitar.
Styles include folk, rock, blues, rock and roll, reggae, ragtime, bluegrass, finger-picking, and more. Learn how to play by ear, improvise, play and sing at the same time. Learn valuable insight on musicanship, playing in a band, songwriting and recording. Learn how to practice effectively and efficiently.
Printed handouts with chord shapes and fingerings, strum patterns, tablature of main hooks and riffs, along with a digital audio file of the song will be provided for each lesson.
My approach is to teach the roots of most popular music by showing the essential open chords, strums, bar chords, guitar runs, picking technique, and progressions of folk, rock, blues, bluegrass, and popular music.
A + Rating for Best Guitar Lessons in San Francisco Bay by Expertise
I perform approximately 75 live shows per year with This Old Band as well as live acoustic solo performances and roughly 75 live solo broadcasts.
Contact
email info@cosmiccircuit.com
text/phone 510.868.9323
Location
Cosmic Circuit Studio, El Cerrito, California. Easy, free, on street parking available.
Lessons
In person lessons are taught private one on one at Cosmic Circuit Studio in El Cerrito, California. Proof of Covid-19 vaccination is required for in-person lessons.
Online private lessons via Zoom, Skype, Facetime, and other video services are available (see FAQ below for details). We broadcast via a super fast fiber internet connection to provide the highest quality and most reliable streaming experience. Multiple cameras set up at various angles are employed for close ups of the hand positioning, fingering and strumming.
How Do I Sign Up for Lessons?
Please email first and include your current experience level (absolute beginner, intermediate, etc) and the style of music you want to learn as well as some of your favorite musical artists and/or songs. Also include days or date(s) and times you are would prefer.
Times Available
Lessons normally offered in person weekdays and weekends in my private studio. I also offer online private lessons using video conferencing software. I am currently accepting students.
Pricing
1 Lesson – $55 for a 1 hour private one on one session. (in-person or remote)
Pay online for a single lesson.
Discount Pricing on Pre-paid Blocks
3 Lessons – $150
4 Lessons – $195
8 Lessons – $380
Pre-paid blocks are only if lessons are taken every week!
The 3 Lesson block must be fully used within 1 month. (You can skip a week if you wish).
The 4 Lesson block must be fully used with 6 weeks; thus you have flexibility to skip 2 weeks).
The 8 Lesson block must be fully used within 11 weeks (Can skip up to 3 weeks).
Pay online for block of lessons.
Purchase lessons online direct from Cosmic Circuit Studio secure web site or pay in person.
Payment Policy
Cash or credit cards (Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover , PayPal or Square) accepted.
Refund Policy
There is no refund if you pay for a block of lessons in advance. Be sure you are happy with the lessons and willing to commit if you pay for a block of lessons. If you are unsure I recommend you pay for a single lesson.
Cancellation Policy
If you can not make a lesson you must notify me by e-mail, text or phone at least 24 hours in advance to reschedule with no cancellation fee. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice (or not showing up for a lesson) results in the loss of the full payment for the lesson (or the deduction of 1 lesson from your pre-paid block of lessons).
Requirements
Your own guitar is recommended for lessons; however you can use our Gibson J-250 acoustic guitar or Martin LX1E Acoustic-Electric Guitar for a $10 fee per lesson.
Optional: I recommend purchasing a tuner, a metronome and a capo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do you offer private remote online lessons via video conference?
A. Yes! Guitar lessons are available via primarily Zoom and other popular video teleconferencing services. The pricing is the same as private in person lessons. Worksheets and audio files will be sent to you before the lesson.
Q. How do I configure Zoom software for an online guitar lesson?
A. Follow these Zoom Guitar Lesson Set Up Instructions.
Q. What is the connection quality when taking online lessons via Zoom?
A. We have a direct fiber internet to the desktop for super fast, reliable, lowest latency connection. We recommend you use an ethernet wire for the most reliable connection, however, wireless will work as well.
Q. Can I purchase lessons for a friend as a gift for someone?
A. Yes. First send, an email first to arrange and confirm the lesson date/time then pay for the number of lessons via the secure web form. You will receive a nicely formatted color customized gift certificate with the number of lessons as a pdf document that can be printed or emailed. The certificate is good for one year from the time of purchase.
Q. Do you have an guitar amp I can use for the lesson?
A. Yes, if you are learning electric guitar I have a small amp you can use for the lesson at no charge. You are also welcome to bring your own.
Q. Do you have a guitar I can use for the lesson?
A. Yes, we have a Gibson J-250 acoustic and a Martin LX1E acoustic-electric guitar available.
There is a $10 additional charge per lesson. This can be convenient if you are traveling and want to take a lesson or two. If taking lessons long term it is strongly recommended you have your own.