MUSIC LESSONS AT FLAT 7 STUDIOS
My goal as a teacher is to instill in my students a lifelong love of playing music. I teach music theory rather than reading notes on sheet music and utilize a variety of instruments to illustrate how notes and chords work together. I believe in making lessons fun.
My students learn how to play a variety of rock, pop, folk, blues, and classic rock songs, and are empowered to compose their own original songs.
My main instruments are guitar, bass, and piano but I have helped students learn on many other instruments as well including clarinet, saxophone, drums, and cello. For new students, the piano is particularly useful in learning theory fundamentals, as all of the notes are laid out in a logical and repeating pattern.
My students learn how to play a variety of rock, pop, folk, blues, and classic rock songs, and are empowered to compose their own original songs.
My main instruments are guitar, bass, and piano but I have helped students learn on many other instruments as well including clarinet, saxophone, drums, and cello. For new students, the piano is particularly useful in learning theory fundamentals, as all of the notes are laid out in a logical and repeating pattern.
I encourage my students to play from the heart. There are only 12 notes in music and some may sound better together than others, but there is no such thing as a “wrong” note.
I have taught students of all ages, from 5-85, and enjoy working with both beginner and advanced players.
I teach out of my home recording studio in the Gregory Heights neighborhood of Burien, Washington. As students progress, they can opt to record songs we have learned, and learn the fundamentals of sound engineering.
I have taught students of all ages, from 5-85, and enjoy working with both beginner and advanced players.
I teach out of my home recording studio in the Gregory Heights neighborhood of Burien, Washington. As students progress, they can opt to record songs we have learned, and learn the fundamentals of sound engineering.
RATES
65.00| 1 hour
90.00 | 1.5 hour
230.00 | package of four 1-hour lessons
90.00 | 1.5 hour
230.00 | package of four 1-hour lessons
REVIEWS
Your search is over. Brian is the greatest music teacher you will ever find.
I decided to learn music theory and guitar later in life. I tried YouTube, different teachers, Fender Play, and I was failing. More importantly, I wasn't enjoying the struggle. If it's not fun? You're not going to learn, you're not going to stick with it.
Brian teaches theory and all manner of instruments. Most importantly, he listens! And with that, he customizes his approach to you. He will guide you through your musical journey, applying new learning through styles, songs, sessions that you love. It is also the safest of environments for the pupil, you will fearlessly make all kinds of bad noises along the way and he'll make you feel like a rock star. He makes it fun!
I finally started getting better when I met Brian, and started having a blast. My weekly visit to Brian's has been so impactful that I stopped seeing my therapist. I don't need him anymore, I have Brian.
- Steve J.
I was a complete beginner on piano. I didn’t understand chords, keys, or harmony.
Brian made lessons enjoyable and intuitive. I learned mostly by doing, inventing songs in different major and minor keys as he explained the theory and technique.
What this means to me is almost more than I can say! It's as if a light got switched on in my head. I highly recommend Brian's unorthodox method.
~ Dina J.
Being a long-time student and lover of music, I really appreciate Brian's approach to teaching. He finds a nice balance between explaining music theory and having fun playing songs that illustrate the theory. He's very knowledgeable and patient, so even when I get confused it is still a comfortable learning environment. Making music is supposed to be enjoyable. Brian understands this and infuses his students with that mentality. I cannot thank him enough when I see how much I have progressed under his guidance.
~ Mary S.
Our kiddos have been working with Brian for years now and I never cease to be amazed by the ways in which he meets each of the kids (who could not be more different) exactly where they are. For our oldest son he explores side by side encouraging his artistic expression as they launch out in whatever direction our son is needing in that moment.
With our son, Brian is a mentor as well as a fellow traveler. For our daughter, he is patient beyond words. She is easily distracted and drawn to the silly, but he never forces her or discourages her. He lets a genuine curiosity rule in lessons with her and constantly discovers new and appealing ways to bring her back to the music.
With Brian my kiddos are learning the language of music. It is not about getting everything just right, it's about finding a way to express yourself through the language of music and learning to hear music in a whole new way.
~ Laura M.
FAQs
I want to learn guitar but have never played. What kind of guitar should I get?
Learning guitar as a beginner can be frustrating, especially a full size, steel string acoustic. I recommend to my new students that are having trouble with full size acoustic that they try a classical (nylon string) guitar. They are smaller in size making them easier to hold and play. The strings are much more forgiving on the fingers and much easier to play chords and notes. American Music or Guitar Center are good places to check out different models and pricing. You should be able to get a decent player for 100-300. You are welcome to come to my studio for an introductory lesson and try out my three nylon string guitars.
My 3rd grader is interested in guitar. What kind of guitar should I get?
I have taught several eight-year-old students over the years and have found that a regular-sized guitar is too big for them to play. I have a half-sized guitar that can be used for lessons to see if the student likes it well enough to continue. I have found that when teaching beginning music students the piano or keyboard can really help them grasp the notion of how the notes and chords work together, and they can move on to the guitar from there.
Learning guitar as a beginner can be frustrating, especially a full size, steel string acoustic. I recommend to my new students that are having trouble with full size acoustic that they try a classical (nylon string) guitar. They are smaller in size making them easier to hold and play. The strings are much more forgiving on the fingers and much easier to play chords and notes. American Music or Guitar Center are good places to check out different models and pricing. You should be able to get a decent player for 100-300. You are welcome to come to my studio for an introductory lesson and try out my three nylon string guitars.
My 3rd grader is interested in guitar. What kind of guitar should I get?
I have taught several eight-year-old students over the years and have found that a regular-sized guitar is too big for them to play. I have a half-sized guitar that can be used for lessons to see if the student likes it well enough to continue. I have found that when teaching beginning music students the piano or keyboard can really help them grasp the notion of how the notes and chords work together, and they can move on to the guitar from there.