"If your still trying
to be a guitar player when your 90 years old, you haven't failed.
You only fail if you quit trying to be what you want
to be!"
- dave schroeder
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| Guitar Instructor - Dave Schroeder |
Dave Schroeder - Guitar Instructor
email: dave@gillsmusic.net
Dave has been playing the guitar and helping others learn how to play the guitar
for the past 25 years. He himself studied with two of the best guitarists in the United States, Stu Pearse and Ron Eschete.
Additionally, Dave attended music programs both at Northern Illinois University and California State University Long Beach.
After college Dave played eight years with a Jazz Trio in the LA area, in addition to performing with several big name players.
Dave still occasionally plays with various jazz groups around
the Bay Area but is primarily focusing on performing his solo act and offering private guitar instruction. Dave has been
teaching for 20+ years now and still very much enjoys the challenge of teaching. Many of Dave's students have gone on to become
professional guitarists, something he is proud of.
Dave is one
of the best guitar teachers we have ever seen. If you love life and music then you will absolutely love Dave! Call the store
to check availability for this very popular guitar teacher.
Robert Aguirre - Guitar Teacher
email: robert@gillsmusic.net
Robert Aguirre, singer/song writer, guitar teacher, piano tuner, started his music
career right here in Brentwood in the mid seventies. In the early days Robert often played the bass and harmonica while playing
with a band but composed songs on guitar and piano. During the 80's and part of the 90's He lived in So. Lake Tahoe where
he bagan teaching while playing in the casinos. He has also led praise and worship teams in churches in the states and overseas
as well. He studied piano tuning at American School of Piano tuning and has completed his first C.D.
As a teacher Robert believes in giving a well rounded approach for learning by offering a good foundation with music
theory as well as imparting a love for music. In most cases a student leaves knowing a song after the first class. He also
offers recitals for his student 2 to 3 times a year and encourages playing publicly. Robert has a sensitive approach to each
student and provides an uplifting, nurturing, learning enviroment to ensure the learning and loving of music. If you like
the "sounds" of this type sensitive instructor then by all means call our store to arrange lessons. Robert is one
in a million!
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| Philip Pattison - Guitar Instructor |
Philip Pattison - Guitar Teacher
Philip has been playing the acoustic guitar since the 1990's. Over
the last 8 years, he has worked full time; both playing music as a Worship Leader in Florida and performing
with two national touring rock bands.
Philip has a passion
for worship music but teaches all styles of popular rock music. We are lucky to have Philip and his family back on the
west coast where he is anxious to help students of all ages and levels grow in their ability and love for guitar music.
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| Lynn Kilcourse - Guitar Instructor |
Lynn Kilcourse - Guitar Instructor
Hi everybody! I am a working guitarist/vocalist currently playing
in two different performing groups; a jazz/blues power trio and a classic rock band. I also LOVE teaching people how to play
the guitar which I have done for over 21 years. Of course, advanced students are welcomed, but I especially enjoy helping
intermediate and beginning students.
I have a background in formal music
studies. I teach theory, improvisation, acoustic and electric guitar. I have taught all styles of music to all types of students
of all ages. I enjoy teaching, and put the emphasis on teaching students the songs they want to know, and the theory behind
those songs. The student therefore gets to play the music they want, but understand the hows and whys. I personally practice
still, many hours a day, perform frequently, and am a disciplined player. I hope to get to know you and pass on my passion
for playing the guitar.
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| Guitar Instructor - Don Hays |
Don Hays - Guitar Teacher
email: donhays@gillsmusic.net
Don Hays is in LOVE with music and has been playing the guitar ever since
early childhood. He cut his teeth on Rock-n-Roll and Blues in the 60's; opening shows for many popular bands of the day including:
Cold Blood, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Big Brother And The Holding Company, The Elvin Bishop Band and The Tubes - just
to name a few!! As a busy professional musician Don is still performing all over the Bay Area including The Fillmore, Cadillac
Ranch, The Saddle Rack, JJ’s Blues Club and many other fine Country venues.
If you want to have fun and REALLY want to learn how to play the Electric Guitar like a pro then Don Hays is a great
choice! He'll use his ten years of teaching experience to gently guide you through the process of learning how to play the
guitar. Ultimately, his hope is that music will enrich your life as it has enriched his. Don is availble on Mondays and
Wednesdays by appointment. Give us a call at to schedule. Have a great day!!
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| Guitar Instructor - Sean Smith |
Sean Smith - Guitar Teacher
email: sean@gillsmusic.net
Sean has been playing, performing and teaching guitar for several years. He has played and recorded with many
Bay Area bands over the years and has taught guitar at several different music schools. Sean is a very friendly "people
person" who really enjoys instructing motivated guitar students and teaching them how to express
themselves through music. Sean teaches both acoustic and electric guitar styles and has a personal passion for rock and metal.
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| Guitar Instructor - Don Morrison |
Don Morrison - Guitar Instructor
email:
don@gillsmusic.net
It doesn't get any better than Don Morrison for guitar lessons - Expertise, experience and patience all rolled into one awesome
instructor. Besides being a top-notch West-Coast guitarist Don is a super friendly guy with years of experience teaching
people of all ages how to play the guitar. Much of Don's professional work has been playing solo jazz guitar for special
events as well as leading his own bands on electric guitar and vocals.
Don's primary goal for his guitar
students is simply for them to have fun while they learn the fundamentals of guitar playing. Don says, "If
you are between the ages of 7 to 97, you can learn how to play Rock, Metal, Blues, Classical, Jazz, Folk or whatever other
style of music you like!" With a great teacher like Don and a little consistent effort anybody can learn to play the
guitar.
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| Guitar Instructor - Mick Leonardy |
Singer/Songwriter and "Future Rock Legend" Mick
Leonardy has been playing guitar for about 15 years. For much of that time he has played and led bands that have toured both
nationally and in Europe. These days Mick is spending most of his artistic time in San Francisco working on new songs and
recording.
Mick's instructional style is to teach basic guitar playing through learning songs. In addition to teaching
his students the essential fundamentals of guitar playing, Mick also enjoys giving his students some additional insight
and perspective about the music business, based on his touring experiences.
Mick specializes in all of the modern
stuff as well as classic pop/rock styles of guitar music and works hard to make sure his students have fun while they
learn; while at the same time helping them to develop a good understanding of what they are actually doing musically... as
they gain more and more confidence in their playing ability.
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| Jon, can you even teach somebody like me? |
Jon Leonardy - Bass Teacher Jon Leonardy
has been living in the Bay Area since 1969 when he moved from Florida to California at the age of 18. He earned a B.A. in
Music from California State Univiversity Hayward in 1976 as a performance major on String Bass. He has played a wide range
of styles and still maintains an active role in the local music scene.
Since retiring
after many years in the tele-communications industry, Jon is devoting his full attention to teaching beginners and intermediate
students how to play both the Electric and Upright Bass. Music theory, ear training and reading notes, will also be included
as well as the bass players role in the rhythm section and relationship to the percussionist. How best to fit with the drummer
and stay "in the groove".
According to Jon, playing music is inspiring.
"Whether you are playing solo or with a group of musicians... when everything clicks, it can be magical". John's
goal is to help his students have that same wonderful experience that he has enjoyed over the years.
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| Ramiro Amador - Bass Teacher |
Ramiro Amador - Bass Teacher
email: ramiroamador@comcast.net
Ramiro Amador has been performing, recording, touring and teaching bass guitar for the past 40 years. He is currently
the bass player for several professional bands including, the Latin Rock group Malo, harp and violinist Carlos Reyes, national
acclaimed group The Latin Kings and locals groups The Phd’s and Point of Return. Over the years, Ramiro has worked with
such artist as Lenny Williams (Tower of Power), Lee Oskar, (War), Jorge Santana, Vernon (ice) Black (Mariah Carey, Herbie
Hancock), Pete Escovedo, Tierra, El Chicano, Voices of Latin Rock, Lydia Pense (Cold Blood) and many, many more.
Ramiro
has shared his musical talent with aspiring young bass players by teaching off-and-on for many years. His going rate is $30/per
thirty-minute lesson. He is happy to take on advanced players as well as beginning students, because everybody has to start
somewhere! “Exceptuando tambien estudiantes de hablando espanol que desean de la guitar bajo.” Please contact
Ramiro directly for more information and to schedule lessons.
