Northern Virginia Guitar Lessons Dedicated to beginner & intermediate acoustic guitar 703-406-4698 DJohnson@roiwebsites.com

Dirk Johnson, Guitar Instructor	Why Most Beginner Guitar Books Are Not Written for Beginners! Books need to sell. Most music book publishers are afraid that a properly written beginner book will appear to be too basic, and then nobody will buy it. They're probably right, so it's hard to blame the publishers. Beginner guitar books skip right over the most vital advice that a beginner needs. Instead, they provide the reader with an "illusion of progress". That is, if you happen to make it all they way to chapter 10, then magically, with one book, you'll be playing guitar just like James Taylor or Eric Clapton! Personally, I've wasted a small fortune on useless beginner guitar books. I'll save you that expense...:) Some beginner books have you start off by having you play FULL CHORDS! That's a horrible way for a complete beginner to learn to play. When you can't yet play a single clear note, they want you to form a chord with three or four fingers? That's a recipe for total frustration. Students using these books for guidance often put their dream of playing guitar on the shelf, not becasue they did not have the skill to do this, but because the material itself was far too difficult. It doesn't have to be that way! Most books do not even advise using a metronome, nor do they explain how to use one, but a metronome is absolutely fundmental to good playing technique! I have yet to see a beginner book that addresses the most basic elements of song mastery, which are tempo, accuracy, clarity, and authority. It's a real waste of time to plow through a beginner book, page-after-page, without really mastering any of the material. Instead, I am going to show you a way to learn to play the guitar that will make your summer nights on the deck come alive with great guitar music that YOU play, and we'll do it at your own learning pace. Your first lesson with me...	More Info: Why Most Beginner Guitar Books Are Not for Beginners Your First Lesson for Solo Melody - For the adult beginner Your First Lesson for Vocal Accompaniment - For the adult beginner Intermediate-level Lessons - For players in a rut! Learning Paths: Students select a learning path that fits their goals. Solo Melody Guitar - what it is, and isn't Vocal Accompaniment - how to play guitar while singing How to Measure Your Progress - keeping it all in perspective.
I focus on teaching ADULT and YOUTH BEGINNERS (age 12 and up) how to play ACOUSTIC GUITAR in many of the popular "roots" styles, such as fingerstyle blues, and chord melody and flatpicking. I teach pop tunes, acoustic rock, jazz balads, coutry blues, country, and folk styles. I also teach my students how to play at jams and open mics, and how to improve their vocal accompaniment on guitar. VOCAL ACCOMPANIMENT COACHING has become one of my main teaching specialties. I help singers and songwriters improve their guitar skills, which makes their repertoire more interesting and entertaining. BUT...THERE IS NO NEED TO SING! - I can teach you how to enjoy the guitar as a solo instrument, with no vocals.

• Even during your first lesson with me, you will play the guitar. You will learn proper strumming, picking and fretboard fingering exercises that you will apply and practice from that point forward. Then we build on it.
  
  
• We'll learn to read tab (tablature), chord charts, and some music notation and chord notation.
  
  
• We'll focus on songs, not "excercises". Yoiu will learn to play easy, timeless songs that you can build upon. We'll turn many of them into "performance pieces" over time. You will build a foundation repertoire of songs that you like, and that your friends and family will appreciate, and recognize.
  
  
• Most beginner "adult" guitar books start out with chords. That's a recipe for total frustration. I'll introduce you to chords gradually. So that your fingers learn to fly in formation.
  
  
• We'll use a metronome, starting on day one, so that a strong sense of rhythm and proper timing becomes second nature. When you can play with a metronome, you can play with confidence, in a band or at a jam.
  
  
• We'll explore music theory. You will gradually understand keys, song structures, musical styles (blues, country, jazz, etc.) and the chord variations that make music interesting.
  
  
• I can introduce you to the music of "world class" acoustic guitar players. By listening to them, I'll teach you how to learn from them, even if we can't duplicate their technical skills. Plus, it's great music to listen to while you work or relax.
  
  
• I'll customize your learning repertoire to reflect your own musical taste and goals. I'll steer you away from music that you are not yet ready to play, and toward songs that you can.
  
  
• I'll teach you how to play in a "jam" environment, play for friends and family and at open mics. I've overcome a great deal of "stage fright" and self-doubt. It's a process. You can learn it, too.
  

Playing guitar does take practice, and there is inevitable frustration, but it should always be fun, even when it's challenging. If it's not fun, you're doing it wrong!

Having guidance along the way is the key. As your instructor, I'm also your coach, sounding board and advisor on this journey. I'll also learn from you, as we explore your own musical goals.

I love to play guitar and play music with other people. I enjoy teaching others to do the same. I'll pass it on to you!

If you are truly a fan of acoustic music, and you want to play it, instead of just listen, let's explore this together.

Styles That I Teach

I can teach you to play music in any of the following styles:

Please note that I do not play electric "lead guitar" style or electric blues. I like it. But I don't play it or teach it.

Guitar players who have influenced me

From this list, you will get a sense of my own style of playing. As you can see, it covers many genres, but it is all very acoustic-focused.

In no particular order, and a partial list:

It makes good sense to work with an instructor that fits with your own musical taste. If you also like the kind of acoustic music mentioned above, then we'll definitely have fun while we learn!

Rates and Teaching Locations

I am neither the least expensive nor the most expensive guitar teacher in Northern VA. However, for the complete beginner or frustrated intermediate that appreciates acoustic music and wants to pursue it seriously, I am probably the right teacher who will get you on track.

I will earn my fee, by fast-tracking your approach, through proper fundamental advice and genuine support and understanding of your goals and customizing the lesson to your goals.

My rates vary according to time and location.

I prefer to teach in my home studio in the Sterling/Countryside subdivision. I have full access to my teaching resources there. I can come to your house, but there is a significant travel premium.

Youth students under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all lessons! No exceptions.

MY TEACHING RATES:

• My location, Weekday business hours ONLY (10 AM through 5 PM) - $55 per lesson
  Lessons are typically more than an hour, plus, every fifth lesson at my location is always FREE, so my daytime hourly rate averages about $44 per hour. This rate applies only at my location in Sterling/Countryside (map).
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• My location, Weekday Evenings & Weekends
  
  My apologies, but I am currently BOOKED FULL for Weeknights and Weeekends. Changes do occur, so please contact me to be placed on a short waiting list.
  
  
• At Your Location of Choice, Weekdays during Business Hours - Per lesson rates vary, according to the travel time required and time of day. "My location" lessons carry an additional charge above standard rates, and the "free fifth lesson" does not apply. Please provide your lesson location for a rate quote.
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• Gift Certificates! - The gift of guitar lessons is one of the greatest gifts of all! We can arrange a special rate for a package of lessons, or a single lesson trial. It's your choice.
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