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Guitar Lessons in Marysville & Camano Island

I began teaching guitar lessons on North Camano Island and Everett in 2002 and joined 8th Note Music in Marysville in 2012. I currently offer lessons in electric bass, ukulele and mandolin. Lesson material and pace are custom tailored to each student. I have taught ages 5 thru 80, from total beginners to recording artists in many styles.

BEGINNING GUITAR LESSONS

Finger Dexterity

You’ll learn specific hand and finger exercises consistent with playing the guitar. Chords and scales are easier when your fingers know where to go and how to get there. Use my simple method for 5-10 minutes a day, and I can almost guarantee results.

Sight Reading
Notes and Tabs

A basic knowledge of sight reading notes helps you learn tunes faster. You will learn to read the notes for most simple songs across all 6 strings in about 6 weeks – one string per week.

Chords

You’ll learn to play chords right away, Scales come soon after. Playing a sequence of chords together is another way to say ‘play a song’. You’ll learn how chords are built from scales and how they fit together.

Rhythm

Hard, classic or alternative rock, blues, country, bluegrass, jazz, classical and flamenco are all defined by their rhythm. As a beginning guitar player, you will be introduced to as many of these styles as you choose.

Melody and Ear Training

If you can hum a tune, you can play it. I’ll show you how. Regardless of age or ability, my teaching approach is designed to help you apply solid fundamentals to either guitar or bass, in the musical style you want to play – at your own pace. You pick the direction you want to go, and I’ll show you the best way to get there.

Advancing Guitar Lessson

I will teach you a simple technique to unlock barre chords, turn them into simple repeatable finger shapes, then move them around the frets like puzzle pieces.This approach has limitless possibilities and applies to all kinds of music.

Since chords are derived from scales like words from an alphabet the next step is to add scale tones to the basic chord shapes. Chord substitution and improvisation will follow!

I will teach you a simple and practical method to understand and apply this knowledge, even if you can’t read a note.

Instruction on song writing and jazz and blues improvisation available.

Six week ‘crash’ courses on the musical topics of your choice can be customized.

Guitar Lesson Reviews

I hope I can play like him.

The first time I went to my new guitar teacher I didn’t know what he’d be like. Now that I’ve been going to him for a couple of years I know what to expect. He is patient when he gives lessons. He is also funny. One time I learned to play Greensleeves, and Dust In the Wind. He put the sound of Dust In the Wind to Greensleeves and called it Dust in the Sleeves.

Graham

You’ll love him!

Ford is a great guy and a great teacher. He explains things at your level and teaches songs that you want to learn. You never leave his class without a laugh and a smile on your face. You’ll love him!

Morgan

I love going to lessons every week.

I found Ford in the phone book. I never played the guitar before, but Ford has taught me so much. From technique to all the songs I want to learn. I love going to lessons every week. Ford explains things very clearly.

Sierra A

Ford has very in-depth knowledge.

After 40 years of playing guitar, gigging and recording, there is still a lot to learn. Ford has very in-depth knowledge of the guitar that will help bring my understanding and performance skills way beyond what I have taken years to learn on my own.

Paul

You should take lessons from Ford.

I started taking guitar lessons with Ford 2 years ago, because I thought it was cool and it looked fun. He has taught me a lot: how to read music, and how to play with rhythm. He teaches me songs that I want to learn. You should take lessons from Ford because you won’t learn anything boring. It’s always fun and sometimes challenging.

Cynthia

I don’t know where to begin!

I don’t know where to begin. Ford is a fun loving guy, has an awesome cat and really knows his way around the instruments, and not just the guitar – all types of funky things. I would recommend Ford to anyone from just beginning (like I was) to an advanced player just trying to see what more they can learn.

Gavin

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