Welcome.
My name is Keith Watson. I started teaching music in Calgary when I was a teenager and have over 40 years of experience and have loved every moment of it. When you do something for 40 years you learn a few things, top of the list is that guitar lessons must be enjoyable.
I teach all ages and most any style of guitar playing. I have completed my RCM in Classical guitar and have taken music theory at University.
Not only do I give guitar lessons, but I also give Ukulele lessons, Bass Lessons and Mandolin Lessons.
Guitar Lessons Online, In-Person and In Your Home
40+ Yrs Teaching Experience
There are many different things to consider when teaching music. Age of student student goals are there any learning difficulties? We all learn differently and lessons need to be adjusted to the way that a student learns.
Interested in my Blog
One of my earliest music memories was sitting in front of my sisters turntable and listening to the British “Jesus Christ Superstar” and being mesmerized by the great bass lines. I’ve been an avid music connoisseur for a long time and been involved in a lot of live music events and have some interesting stories to tell.
Have a question?
Please feel free to ask me anything. I promise to respond as quickly as I am able.
40+ Yrs Teaching Experience
There are many different things to consider when teaching music. Age of student student goals are there any learning difficulties? We all learn differently and lessons need to be adjusted to the way that a student learns.
Interested in my Blog
One of my earliest music memories was sitting in front of my sisters turntable and listening to the British “Jesus Christ Superstar” and being mesmerized by the great bass lines. I’ve been an avid music connoisseur for a long time and been involved in a lot of live music events and have some interesting stories to tell.
Have a question?
Please feel free to ask me anything. I promise to respond as quickly as I am able.
Calgary Guitar Lessons
- Private 1/2 hour lessons in my studio – $40.00
- Private 1/2 hour lesson in your home – $60.00
Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids
All students learn differently. It is important to adapt guitar lessons to the style of learning that the guitar student has.
Positive Experience
With younger guitar students the
main goal is to make sure that they have a positive experience. Most students stop taking lessons at some point in time. Either they get to the point where they don’t need lessons anymore or they grow tired of the lessons. Studies have shown that 35% of kids age 9 take music lessons while only 9% take lessons at age 17. If a guitar student stops taking lessons at a young age it is important that they do not have a negative experience because they will be more likely to pick the instrument up at a later stage. If the experience is negative they guitar student will likely never pick it up again. I always say that guitar lessons open the door for the student, they may walk through that door right away or it may take years but if the experience is a bad one, they may never take that step through the door.
To read or not to read
A question that is often asked is “Should my child learn to read music?” Well, that depends. I suggest that if a child is able to read music easily then they should probably learn to read music. Learning to read music give a good basis for understanding how music works and relationship between notes and it is a start to music theory. Learning to read music can be difficult for some, in which case I may incorporate learning music with tablature. In some cases this is the only way a guitar student can learn.
Young Adult Guitar Lessons
Approaching guitar lessons for young adults is completely different than that of kids. A young adult guitar student has likely formed a like for certain types of music. Learning to read music may not be as important as learning to play the songs.
Learning the songs and incorporating theory
I am a firm believer that at this age the guitar student needs to learn whatever type of music that they relate to, be it Pop, Country, Rock, Classic Rock or Rap. Similar to a younger child’s guitar lessons a young adults guitar lesson needs to be fun, they need to learn the songs that they like. Often learning to read isn’t as important but learning the theory behind the music is very important. I try to incorporate “Practical Theory” In guitar lessons with students of this age. “Need to know” theory. If a student is leaning towards soloing then they need to know a set of theory that may differ slightly from a student that is more interested in song writing or just playing along with songs.
Building confidence and preparing for the future
I feel it is crucial to build knowledge and confidence during guitar lessons with young adults. One of my main goals is to get the guitar student to a point where they feel comfortable walking into a room of musicians and being able to play with them. To do this the guitar lessons need to incorporate technique and theory.