Jon Ree.

I feel fortunate to do something for a living that I truly enjoy: teaching people how to play guitar and music the way they always imagined possible. One of the aspects of teaching I enjoy most is getting to know the students I work with. I taught full-time in New York City for 12 years, and for over a year now in Birmingham, AL. Along the way I have taught people from all walks of life. I've learned that every student is unique and has their own way of learning. It is always interesting!

I enjoy exploring all genres of music with my students. The music I gravitate to personally is classic rock, blues, and r & b. In recent years I have learned to appreciate many more kinds of music such as jazz, flamenco, pop, hip-hop, country, and metal, often by teaching students songs they want to learn in these genres.

Regardless of what music we are playing, my main goal as a teacher is to show students how to experience playing guitar with confidence and skill. I find that occurs much easier if the student feels comfortable and relaxed, so I try to create an atmosphere in which students can be themselves and not feel pressure. I also keep a focus on the important basics of music, the first of which is rhythm.

I continue to develop my own style as a guitarist and seek to help students do that as well. I believe if you learn guitar with the goal of sounding good live, you will learn better and faster. It doesn't mean you HAVE to ever play in front of an audience, of course! But why not feel like you could? You will simply enjoy your playing more if you sound good.

I hope we play guitar together in the near future!