The guitar is an extremely versatile instrument that often brings out the artistic side of the student.  It's convenient for practicing as one can use any room in the house.         It's great for kids who might have gotten discouraged at music before and think they cannot "do it."  The guitar gets them going and gets them confident early.

Children who take guitar are often extremely artistic and outgoing.  Guitar students are often easily capable of expressing their feelings with their instrument as well.  If your child shows an interest or talent in art or art class, he or she would probably truly enjoy the guitar.

My guitarists are heard all over the county.  They lead the way in school functions, rock shows, and houses of worship.  The pride I feel as they express themselves through the instrument is something I can barely explain.  I do my best to give my students the tools to capture every nuance of themselves in their music.  We start with reading basic melodies on the staff, learning what a chord is and how music's foundation is created by a chord progression.  We move on to blues theory, and playing in all major keys.  Next there are minor keys, suspended and altered chords and different types of tonal shading.  Advanced students learn modal patterns and their impact as well as soloing in the styles of famous guitarists in order to find their own style.  I go on to teach alternate voicings so jazz, swing and big band styles can be played.  My guitarists play with feeling and power.  I hope they know how proud I am of them!

The benefits of guitar lessons are highly developed motor skills, excellent sense of rhythm, increased use and proficiency of math skills, and a highly developed sense of creativity.  So much of the sound of this instrument is based on the individual style of the player and that makes for a confident, expressive adult down the road.  Zachary DeHart, to the right, is such an expressive individual.  Zach will have the world listening to him if he so desires.  That I have been able to help him over the last few years is an honor!           At Loudoun Music, the critical basics of reading music, strumming, chording and soloing are taught in an integrated fashion.  Optimum starting age is generally 7 to 10 years old.

Becoming a truly knowledgable guitarist means becoming a musician.  A musician is simply one who loves music and is constatly seeking to improve himself.  Liam Demmin, in the picture to the left, is well on his way.  He's been playing and singing with passion and is on his way up!!!

Another up and coming guitarist is Troy McCall.  He loves that slide and is really putting the time in.  Congrats to you Troy!!