Meet Our Guitar Teacher, Will!

I’m guessing that Will is a GHS guitar strings endorser 🙂

Will is a terrific session guitarist, known for his fun style of teaching!  He specializes in guitar lessons, ukulele, mandolin, bass and tres. (a super-cool Cuban instrument that sounds a little bit like a 12-string guitar). Please enjoy our interview, and drop us a line to schedule lessons!

When did you start playing? I started playing guitar when I was 9 and took it really seriously around 11. I wanted to play trumpet in band, but instead my Nana brought me back a guitar from Venezuela. Glad she did!

Instruments and subjects you teach? Guitar, uke, songwriting, bass, mandolin, and multiple Latin stringed instruments. I teach all styles and specialize in helping students reach their own individual goals and missions!

What was music like for you as a kid? I loved it so much – would run home from school to play, and at 14 was sneaking into Chicago jazz clubs. I started playing professionally in Chicago at 16.  Went on to earn a BA in Music Education and Jazz Studies, from University of Illinois.

Tell me about some of your favorite musicians. Jimi Hendrix, Wes Montgomery, Miles Davis, Tame Impala, Carlos Santana

What advice would you give a beginner? Learn the basic steps even if they seem boring as first. If you take something twice as slow, you’ll learn it twice as fast

What are the essential things for a beginner to have? Instrument, accessories and patience!

Tell me about your teaching approach/philosophy. I prefer to teach based off of each student’s individual goals versus method books. I do this because each student is a different type of learner, has different reasons for getting into music, and has to be treated differently to achieve their goals.

What are some of your favorite things about teaching? I love seeing students work hard to achieve their goals. That moment where they can’t believe how much they’ve grown, or can play a song they always wanted to learn, is priceless!

Do you offer in-home lessons? Online lessons?  Both online and in-home lessons.

Favorite gigs? Playing Coachella and various recording sessions at Legendary Los Angeles studios.

Favorite thing about living in Los Angeles? Large pool of talented musicians!

What do you enjoy doing, when not teaching? Producing and Songwriting with artists of all genres

That’s all folks!  Hope you enjoyed our interview with Will. Ready to get started with lessons?  It’s easy – just sign-up or give us a ring! (310) 439-9798