Classical Guitar Teacher

Fall Lesson Availability

September 30, 2024

Starting October 1, 2024, I have afternoon lesson availability Monday through Thursday–read the post for all the details!

What I Did This Summer

August 19, 2024

It’s hard to believe that it’s already mid August, yet here we more than half-way through the summer of ‘24.

Fretboard Diagrams

May 8, 2024

The guitar is an amazing instrument, and may be the most versatile instrument in common use today. Its versatility derives in large part from its tuning and and the layout of the fretboard.

Image of a group pf high school musicians playing on a stage in a high school auditorium

ODSS Battle of the Bands

April 20, 2024

For the last few years, I’ve had the great pleasure to be invited to Westside High School in Orangeville to spend a day coaching student rock bands.

Understanding Guitar Notation Book

March 6, 2024

I’m developing a book to help guitar students master the fundamentals of reading musical notation for the guitar.

Image of part of a page of sheet music of the A Minor Scales in notation and tab for guitar.

Major and Minor Scales

February 13, 2024

Music is patterns of sound, and two fundamentals in music are rhythm patterns (how combinations of long and short notes relate to a steady beat or pulse) and pitch patterns (what notes are played).

The specific pitches used in a piece of music are usually derived from a scale. This

I became proficient at making high quality, individualized sheet music during the pandemic, and the benefit to students was apparent immediately. I was able to present them with exactly what they needed so they could learn what they wanted.

The Circle of Fifths

January 23, 2024

The circle of fifths is a way of organizing the keys so that their patterns become apparent by arranging the 12 keys like the 12 positions on a clock, with each position being a fifth away from the keys on either side.

One Octave Major Scales for Piano in 12 Keys

January 11, 2024

This is the second complete set of scales I’ve added to my website. These one octave scales are required preparation for playing formula patterns.

A photo of Stew Gunn playing classical guitar.

How and Why I Teach the Way I Do

January 10, 2024

I tailor lessons to the individual student. I have always loved music, and my life has been enriched by music, so I believe helping students find a lifelong connection to music is the most important thing I do.

Larghetto and Étude, Op. 35 – by Fernando Sor

January 9, 2024

Larghetto No 3. and Étude No. 4 introduce some more challenging techniques for the classical guitar, like partial barre chords and ornaments. While still considered “easy” pieces, there will be measures that require extra attention.

An image of the A Major Scale for guitar in first position.

One Octave Scales in Three Positions in 12 Keys

January 5, 2024

The most common one octave scale positions in all 12 keys. These are a great way to begin to see the different shapes a major can take on the classical guitar and the electric guitar and will prepare you for 2 octave scales.