Guitar Lessons

Pete Smyser teaches beginner through advanced guitar students (ages 12 through adult) at the following locations...

Mr. Smyser's home studio (a renovated early 19th century barn in Harleysville, PA) near Green Lane, Lederach, Lansdale, Franconia, Kulpsville, Sumneytown, Montgomery County, Bucks County, Telford, Phoenixville, Skippack, Blue Bell, North Wales, Souderton, Montgomeryville, King of Prussia, Audubon, Worcester, Quakertown, Perkasie,  Schwenksville, Perkiomenville, Salford, Collegeville, Hatfield, Gwynedd, Spring House, Chalfont, Sellersville, Pottstown, Plymouth Meeting, Flourtown, Wayne, St. Davids, Bryn Mawr, Conshohoken, Boyertown

Moravian College (Bethlehem, PA)

I have 26 years of professional experience teaching guitar. During this time, I have taught hundreds of students ranging from casual hobbyists to highly motivated, career-minded classical and jazz students. A number of my past students have received music scholarship offers to attend prestigious Universities. I have even had a hand in teaching some of the other guitar teachers in the area.

FOR BEGINNERS...

Students can expect assignments that focus on the following 3 areas...

1) Technical excercises - designed to develop the necessary finger control and coordination to play the guitar while avoiding common bad habits.

2) Reading music (standard music notation) by working through a method book.

3) Chords - by learning to strum chords and play Beatle's songs from a song book. After a certain point of accomplishment, I invite the student to choose songs (or songbooks) that are of the most interest to them.

FOR MORE EXPERIENCED STUDENTS...

The first lesson is diagnostic so that I can assess the students level, goals and determine an appropriate course of study. My lesson plans are structured and tend to focus on developing the student's abilities in the following areas...

1) Technique

2) Reading (standard notation)

3) Repertoire (important songs/pieces that relate to the style of music being studied)

4) Chords (Harmony)

5) Scales (particularly for improvisation)

6) Theory

Students are taught how to perform both written and improvised music.  Styles include classic pop, rock, blues, folk as well as advanced classical/ spanish guitar (fingerstyle) and jazz. Please Contact me  to discuss scheduling, fees etc. for private guitar lessons.

(from former students)...

“I want to thank you for being a great teacher. Your systematical way of presenting materials are very clear and really helpful for me to review things that I tend to forget. And I enjoy the balance between theory, study and full songs in your lessons which not only help me build a repertoire but also lays a good foundation for me to learn new stuff by myself.” -Weike

“I want to thank you for preparing me, inspiring me and teaching me to be disciplined.  Without your help I don't know if I would have gotten to where I am.” -Greg

"I just wanted to say thank you for preparing me for college...  Everything has paid off... the arpeggios, Wohlfahrt studies, inversions... everything.  I managed to get into the Jazz Ensemble which is the bigger jazz group here, as well as the smaller Jazz Combo.  It's a lot of fun, and I don't have any problems following the charts. Thanks for everything.” - Bobbie

"You've taught me that if you really want to make something perfect, taking things step by step, measure by measure, is the best way to do it. I've seen this come up in other aspects of my life as well, such as writing papers, and completing my studying for exams. Therefore, I owe you a great deal for your help. Thank you for everything.” -Asa