Lessons

At Rocker Doc Music Education, we demand and pride ourselves on honesty and integrity, which are part of what sets us apart, especially from some other lesson programs.

The primary instrument I teach is the guitar: acoustic, electric, and slide. After 50 years of playing the guitar and extensive professional and teaching experience, I can promote myself as an expert. My playing does the talking for me. Yet, I'm transparent enough to say that I'm still learning, sometimes from my students.

That being said, I am proficient in the banjo, ukulele, and mandolin. I can play and teach them, but I would not consider myself an expert, and I generally don't play them on stage at a primary show. I have had success teaching these three instruments.

Trust me; I don't grab a book and wing lessons on them as I know some other local instructors have done, going so far as to promote themselves as so-called "experts."

Scientifically based, customized, and personal lessons are what you get here at The Rocker Doc Music Education.

Guitar

You'll learn the technical and philosophical aspects of the guitar. It's not enough to play a song; we'll teach you to play it. Music theory? Ewwwww! That's okay. You'll learn theory without even knowing it through the lesson programs I have developed. Kind of like eating vegetables. And, just like vegetables, theory is good for you.

Best of all, you will learn and have fun doing it!

Banjo

How can you not recognize the full, resonating sound of the banjo? We'll get you playing the first of many songs you'll learn the first day!

Ukulele

Some may think of a ukulele as a toy, but that is untrue; it is a real musical instrument. Can you imagine Hawaiian music played on a fully distorted guitar?

I have found that the ukulele can be an excellent starter instrument for a child. We are implementing a program developed by Prisha Gustina, B.S., called Steps to Music Literacy (stepstomusicliteracy.com). I will be conducting a study using that program with children, and once funding is in place, participants qualify for no-cost lessons.

Mandolin

The mandolin is unique because of its size and tuning (like a violin). But that's not an issue. We'll get you through the basics and have you playing some songs in no time.