Guitar Lessons For Beginners

This course is designed as an introduction to the basic fundamentals of guitar playing. Whatever style of music that a student is interested in playing; this course will accommodate. The focus will be on helping the student understand the mechanics of guitar playing. There will be some technical studies and exploration of the student's preferred repertoire (Gerry may make some suggestions along the way). Ultimately, the pace is set by the aptitude of the student. The emphasis is on making learning how to play the guitar a fun experience. It usually take about six to ten weeks to see results, sometimes sooner, but students are not required to commit to either. Students can expect to learn the following:

• Standard guitar tunings
• Electric and acoustic guitar styles 
• The notes on the fretboard
• How to string and re-string the guitar
• Basic picking patterns (finger picking and with a plectrum)
• Reading tablature and standard notation.
• Repertoire
• Music theory
• Ear training
• Chord symbols and what they mean

About the Instructor: While Gerry Pineda is well known for his bass playing, he actually started his musical journey by playing the piano aged just nine years old. It wasn't until he discovered The Beatles a year later that he decided to switch to playing the guitar. Inspired by Paul McCartney and his catchy bass lines he then switched again to the electric bass guitar, which he played in various rock and jazz bands throughout high school.

At the age of 16, Gerry discovered the double bass, which sparked off a lifelong love affair with Jazz. He was awarded a Bachelor of Music in Jazz studies as well as a Master of Music in Double Bass from California State University in Sacramento. He has also received two critic's choice awards, or "Sammies", for best bassist in Sacramento.  Gerry teaches from his private studio and at both California State University Sacramento and the University of the Pacific.