Northern Virginia VA Guitar Lessons

Dirk Johnson, Guitar Instructor

Dedicated to beginners
on acoustic guitar, serving:

Loudoun County
    • Sterling
    • Leesburg
    • Ashburn
    • Round Hill
    • Hillsboro
    • Dulles
    • South Riding

Fairfax County

    • Herndon
    • Reston
    • Great Falls
    • Vienna
    • Oakton
    • Mclean
    • Tysons Corner
    • Chantilly
    • Centreville
    • Fairfax

     

    Other locations by request

Thanks for stopping by NoVa Guitar Lessons.

  • Have you wanted to learn to play the guitar (or know someone)?

  • Have you never taken the right steps to learn?

  • Have you tried and failed on your own, using books?

I can help. Because I've been where you are, just ten years ago. I wanted to play well, but without guidance, it was just too difficult.

Lessons for beginners will save you years of frustration.

Finally, I took proper lessons. I attended guitar camps, and learned from the best. My teachers made the difference. Then I added to that foundation, with more self-education, using books.

I've learned to play around the campfire, in living rooms for friends, and in public venues.

I have fun playing the guitar. I can teach you to do the same.

I focus on teaching ADULT and YOUTH BEGINNERS how to play ACOUSTIC guitar.

The Right Approach - with the focus on FUN!

As an adult beginner, your guitar playing will take a very different course than that of a 15-year-old future rock star. The rock guitar fantasy doesn't apply to us.

So let's not bother to go there! There is so much more to playing guitar than being the lead guitarist in a rock band.

Maybe you want to play at local jams, write some songs, entertain friends and family, and play at open mics. Or maybe you just want to play at home for your own satsifaction.

However you choose to play, you can do it, be good at it, and have fun. Starting now. Why wait any longer?

Adult guitar players spend most their playing time at home, playing solo. We do it because we like to play guitar. It's relaxing and mentally challenging, at the same time.

Playing alone and doing it well is very hard to learn on your own. Good instruction and personal guidance will lead you toward the right skills that will support your progress and make your playing interesting, both to you and to others.

Good guidance and feedback keeps YOU engaged in the process. With it, you'll want to practice. My role is to show you how to get there.

FUNdamentals, Music Theory, Proper Technique

  • Even during your first lesson with me, you will play the guitar. You will learn proper strumming, picking, and fretboard fingering excercises that you will apply and practice from that point forward. Then we build on it.

  • I will introduce you to standard music notation (reading music) in a graduated way, using the best guitar instruction book that I've ever seen on the subject, (with CD). I'll make reading music understandable, and we'll do it at your pace. We'll also learn tab (tablature) music notation and chord notation.

  • We'll learn to play easy, timeless songs that you can build upon. We'll turn many of them into "performance pieces" over time. You will build a foundation repertoire that your friends and family will appreciate, and recognize.

  • Most beginner "adult" guitar books start out with chords. That's a recipe for total frustration. I'll introduce you to chords gradually. So that your fingers learn to fly in formation.

  • We'll use a metronome, starting on day one, so that a strong sense of rhythm and proper timing becomes second nature. When you can play with a metronome, you can play with confidence, in a band or at a jam.

  • We'll explore music theory. You will gradually understand keys, song structures, musical styles (blues, country, jazz, etc.) and the chord variations that make music interesting.

  • I'll introduce you to the music of "world class" acoustic guitar players. By listening to them, I'll teach you how to learn from them, even if we can't duplicate their technical skills. Plus, it's great music to listen to while you work or relax.

  • I'll customize your learning repertoire to reflect your own musical taste and goals. I'll steer you away from music that you are not yet ready to play, and toward songs that you can.

  • I'll teach you how to play in a "jam" environment, play for friends and family, and at open mics. I've overcome a great deal of "stage fright" and self-doubt. It's a process. You can learn it, too.

Playing guitar does take practice, and there is inevitible frustration, but it should always be fun, even when it's challenging. If it's not fun, you're doing it wrong!

Having guidance along the way is the key. As your instructor, I'm also your coach, sounding board, and advisor on this journey. I'll also learn from you, as we explore your own musical goals.

I love to play guitar and play music with other people. I enjoy teaching others to do the same. I'll pass it on to you!

If you are truly a fan of acoustic music, and you want to play it, instead of just listen, let's explore this together.

Styles That I Teach

I can teach you to play music in any of the following styles:

    • Acoustic Blues Finger Picking
    • Chet Atkins-style Finger Picking
    • Bluegrass Rhythm Flatpicking
    • Fiddle Tunes
    • Folk /Rock / Country Strumming
    • Pop Music Melodies
    • Roots Jazz Rhythm
    • Flamenco Basics
    • Classical Basics

    • Please note that I do not play electric "lead guitar" style or electric blues. I like it. But I don't play it or teach it.

The Books That I Use Most For Teaching Guitar

Most "beginner" guitar books are really not for beginners! Most of them skip the real basics, and focus on chords. Maybe you have bought some. I've bought dozens.

The following books are my primary instruction books. They provide a very graduated method of instruction that allows the beginner student to build real skills and confidence.

These books are only the foundation. I'll enhance your lessons with additional insights, unique exercises, the use of the metronome, and other songs that fit your goals.

Click on any of these to open a new browser window to go directly to Amazon for additional product details, reviews, and easy purchase!

Best Book
For Beginners!

Everybody's Guitar Method
Book 1 (with CD)

Excellent for
Fingerstyle Basics!

Beginning Fingerstyle
Blues Guitar (with CD)

Upon completion
of Book 1

Everybody's Guitar Method,
Book 2 (with CD)

To see more books and instruction materials that I recommend and use for beginner/intermediate students, please click here.

Guitar players who have influenced me

From this list, you will get a sense of my own style of playing. As you can see, it covers many genres, but it is all very acoustic-focused.

In no particular order:

    • Michael Fath (Fairfax-based player and instructor)
    • Jorma Kaukonen
    • Doc Watson
    • Joni Mitchell
    • Eric Clapton
    • Dave Matthews
    • Tony Rice
    • Bonnie Raitt
    • Peter White
    • Al Dimeola
    • Lindsey Buckingham
    • Richard Thompson
    • Rory Block
    • John Hammond
    • James Taylor
    • Kenny Loggins
    • Django Reinhart
    • Willie Nelson
    • Chet Atkins
    • Crosby Stills Nash & Young
    • Robin Kessinger
    • Wayne Henderson
    • Roy Bookbinder

      plus these other acoustic music masters influence my playing:

    • David Grisman (mandolin)
    • Bela Fleck (banjo)
    • Jerry Douglas (Dobro)
    • Mark O'Connor (fiddle)
    • Tim O'Brien (multi-instrument)
    • Allison Kraus (fiddle)

      and many, many others.

It makes good sense to work with an instructor that fits with your own musical taste. If you also like the kind of acoustic music mentioned above, then we'll definitely have fun while we learn!

Rates and Locations

I am not the least expensive nor the most expensive teacher Northern VA. However, for the complete beginner or frustrated beginner that appreciates acoustic music and wants to pursue it seriously, I am probably the right teacher for you.

I will earn my fee, by fast-tracking your progress, through proper fundamental advice and genuine support and understanding of your goals.

My rates vary according to time and location.

You can come to my house, in the Sterling/Countryside subdivision. I can come to your house. We can meet at a local community center, if one is available to you.

NEW - SPECIAL DAYTIME/WEEKDAY RATES!

  • Weekday business hours (10 AM through 5 PM) are $40 per hour.
    This rate applies only at my location in Sterling/Countryside. I can accommodate almost any time schedule.

  • Weekday Evenings (6 PM to 9 PM) are $50 per hour.
    This rate applies only at my location in Sterling/Countryside. Time slots are limited. Please check for specific availablility.
  • Saturdays (10 AM to 1 PM) are $50 per hour.
    This rate applies only at my location in Sterling/Countryside. Saturday availability is limited.

  • Lesson rates at the location of your choice will vary, according to the travel time required, and time of day. Typically, off-site lessons carry a $5 to $20 per hour additional charge above standard rates, based on mileage/driving time/traffic patterns/time-of-day. Please advise your lesson location for a rate quote.

  • Rates are $65 per hour at the Round Hill Arts Center.

Youth students under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all lessons.

Let's Get Started!

You've already waited too long to pursue your goal of playing the guitar. The time to start the process is now!

Please contact me for more info, and we can set a time and place to get started.

Dirk Johnson
djohnson@roiwebsites.com
(703) 406 4698

My Guitar Resume & References

 

how to guitar

 

 See more beginner guitar info on this Website!

Ask The Teacher!

Beginner Guitar Blog

Beginner Guitar Newsletter

Beginner Guitar Links