Steve is an excellent teacher & musician. He has a wide breadth of knowledge, both practically and theoretically. His lessons are a great value relative to the quality of instruction you receive. I have made great progress in my playing throughout our lessons and would highly recommend him to anyone. Just ask him to rip it up and you will be in awe, feel inspired, and probably realize how far you have to go! Particularly helpful is his willingness to tailor learning pathways to your specific goals and tie in your favorite musicians and styles while also exposing you to cool, obscure, and interesting artists and genres. As a bonus, he will give you that good guitar wisdom, funny anecdotes, and show you that the instrument is a life-long passion project that requires curiosity about yourself and the world around you. Pretty helpful stuff! read more

Steven was my daughter's guitar teacher for about a year. He is great, very patient, and most importantly, he taught my daughter how to play the guitar when that seemed like an impossible task. I would definitely recommend his services. We had a great experience with him. read more

I've been playing guitar for ten years on and off, taking lessons from multiple instructors. However, my experience with Steve has been the most transformative. In just a year, I've felt the most improvement and confidence in my ability to move around my entire guitar neck and understand chord shapes, smaller shaped triads and basic soloing. Steve's approach is refreshing; he provides structured worksheets and theory concepts while allowing students to choose their own musical adventure. While I have been able to work on learning fun pop songs and songwriting under his wing, he still inserts mini lessons including bossy nova, travis picking, CAGED, and has introduced me to listening closer to prominent guitarists in jazz and pop history to perfect my sound. As a person who gets nervous to play and overwhelmed, I've never felt pressured during practice sessions to have prepared more. Steve always has a wide knowledge of concepts to talk about so I recommend staying consistent with lessons to see the most growth. Finally, Steve's background in music theory is evident in his teaching style as he's even helped me delve into songwriting and production techniques. His expertise extends beyond the fretboard, making him a well-rounded mentor for aspiring musicians. If you're seeking a guitar teacher who fosters growth, creativity, and a love for music, look no further than Steve. He's a true gem in the world of music education. read more

I haven't seen Steve in a couple of months due to some major scheduling problems. But, the lessons I've had were very good. Steve's personality really lends itself to teaching, and the techniques he uses are very effective and easy to remember. Once we get things back to normal, I plan on picking up where we left off. read more

I decided on a whim to learn to play the acoustic guitar in my late 30's having never played before. I found Steven on a random google maps search of guitar teachers in my area and I am SO glad I did. Steven has a great approach to teaching guitar - practical, hands on, personalized and focused on what you need to know when you need to know it so you can start playing music immediately (after one lesson and a week of practice I could play my first song)! He was great at teaching me the basics as a complete beginner - from logistics (like tuning, holding the guitar, instruments parts, even holding the pick correctly) to basic strums, finger picking, chords, reading tabs, etc. He is a literal wealth of knowledge and is a joy to learn from. Now, 1.5+ years later, I have a huge repertoire of songs, so much practical knowledge, and a genuine love of playing and practicing the guitar. Steven also has an incredible gift of being able to write out the chords/tabs to a song after just listening to it a few times. I often come in with random songs I want to learn and he will somehow put it on paper and walk me through it in just minutes. On a human level, Steven is literally the best. We laugh a lot during our lessons and he is not just a good guitar teacher (and player), but a good person who is a joy to visit with on a weekly basis. If you are looking for guitar lessons, regardless of your ability, I can wholeheartedly recommend Steven. You will not be disappointed. read more

Steve is an excellent teacher and helped me so much in getting started playing bass. He is patient, encouraging, kind, and helpful, answering all my billion questions along the way. I am very interested in a specific niche genre of music and Steve found a lot of opportunities to tailor my lessons to what I most wanted to learn, and techniques that would most help me on my way. He is a fantastic instructor and I'd strongly recommend him to any newbies who need that extra support and guidance diving into a new instrument. read more

Steve's a great teacher. I am a classically trained pianist and I am enjoying playing more pop and folk music as I near retirement from my working life. Steve listens to what I want to learn and tailors the lessons to my interests. I also teach piano, so I want to say that I have also learned a lot from Steve about teaching, especially teaching adults. As an older learner, it sometimes takes me longer to master new techniques, but he's very patient and kind with my pace. I've learned about fretboard theory, strumming, picking, chord formation, and much more. He's a wonderful person to learn from and to visit with every week. If you really want to learn to play and love guitar for the rest of your life, you can't do better than studying with Steve. read more

I have always wanted to learn guitar and never had the discipline to do it myself. So, I chose to take lessons with Steve and did so weekly for about 8 or 9 months. He is exceptionally talented and his teaching methodology is so easy to understand--especially for someone like me who isn't naturally good at guitar (or playing any instrument, really). Not only is he a talented musician and teacher, he is also hilarious, kind, patient, and easy to get along with. This contributed to such a comfortable learning environment that each lesson felt like a visit with a long-time friend. He is intuitive and easily assesses specific needs/learning preferences of his student. It is obvious his approach is tailored to each student. The only reason I stopped attending lessons was because life got in the way, but I will definitely be back. 10/10 recommend his service. Stellar teacher and human being. Whether you are a seasoned musician or learning something new, Steve is your go-to! read more

I've had a lot of teachers in my life, and Steve is easily one of the best. He can help you with whatever you want to learn or practice, whether it's songs, music theory, or esoteric techniques and concepts. Steve will have something ready, and he will provide you with paths to take from there along your guitar playing journey. It is very rare to find someone like Steve who has so much knowledge and understanding of an instrument and music as a whole. He is an invaluable resource and an all around great guy. I cannot recommend him enough to anyone aspiring to learn guitar. read more

I highly recommend Steve to beginners as well as seasoned guitarist looking to up their game. Steve is friendly, non-intimidating accepts you where you are kind of guy with a rare gift. His knowledge of the guitar, music theory, and playing are excellent but to be able to communicate and teach to others on individual levels to where they totally get it, is an exceptional and rare gift. I'm a LEFTY, a beginner, and an older adult. I wanted a teacher would could teach me on a left handed guitar. Steve plays right handed but can teach left handed students on left handed guitars seamlessly! Steve is patient, kind and really enjoys what he does. He has a great studio to learn in for all ages and all levels. I just can't say enough good things about Steve. Check him out and see for yourself. read more

I studied with Steve for eight months. I was looking for a teacher who would offer more than just teaching me some cool new songs or licks. I wanted a teacher who would put me through the paces of guitar technique and theory. That is exactly what I got! But Steve ever bettered that by connecting the study of music to a fuller spiritual or meditative practice. He introduced me to the theories of some amazing musical teaching masters, such as Kenny Werner. It's not an overstatement to say these ideas were life changing for me, and helped me not only with guitar but also piano, my first instrument. Steve's talent is using metaphors and analogies to make the learning sink in on a much deeper level, as well as make the lessons far more fun and dynamic. I highly recommend Steve to anyone wanting to not only grow in his or her knowledge of guitar but grow as a musician, artist, and person. read more

I came to Steve as an absolute beginner trying to learn acoustic guitar. Throughout the course of a few lessons, he taught me the building blocks I needed to accelerate my learning and, more importantly, my playing. He's extremely knowledgeable when it comes to the guitar, as well as music theory and music in general, and he's an excellent teacher. I'd recommend him to anyone looking to learn to play guitar. read more

Steve has a developed process for teaching that easily accommodates many learning styles. He is capable of taking a given lesson to any number of positive outcomes. Many times I leave my lesson having not simply contended with some vexing technicality, but also having developed a bit of wise perspective on why the hell I am doing this in the first place. Any idiot on YouTube can throw a camera in front of himself and show you how to finger a scale, but a real teacher can provide very needed context and a certain depth-of-understanding. Steve is that teacher. So summarize, Steve delivers an outsized return on your hour's investment. Many instructors create competent journeymen from nothing; Steve however, will absolutely help you develop whatever musician he finds in you. He has a unique quality, and a real talent for demystifying the art. You simply cannot find anyone better. read more

Steve has helpful advice and knowledge for almost every situation. He can pick apart a jazz transcription and tell you the theory behind whats going on, or help you correct problem in your basic picking technique. read more

We brought my 9 year old daughter to Steven, to switch her to acoustic from violin... as she was begging us for this. He has such a nice lil space, and she felt comfortable right away. There have been times where she wanted to give up, but she was motivated to come in and jam with Steven, so it made her push through and he was very motivating in this process as well. Now,... she wouldn't even consider quitting! And she plays the Beatles for us every night. It is truly an amazing to see how far she has come, and we attribute this to Steven's teaching. He is one of the best and they have become friends, so he is great with the kiddos, and we are just so glad we found him! read more

I took bass lessons with Steve for four straight years, and the only thing that could drag me away was a cross-country move for work (and even then, begrudgingly). In that time, Steve not only equipped me to master the fundamentals of the bass, but helped me to pinpoint exactly what it was I Ioved so much about the instrument (disco basslines!) During lessons, he is consistently good-natured, on-point and willing to field any type of music question, whether it directly relates to the instrument in your hands or not. He tailors all of his lessons to his students' abilities, works with you to accommodate difficult work and travel schedules, and encourages you to bring in your own material to study, even if it means several years of transcribing the Village People. :) There is no equivalent to Steve where I am now, and I realize just how lucky I was to have him as a teacher for as long as I did. Austin is full of cut-rate musicians and burnout guitar hacks, but this guy is not one of them. He is legit, dependable, brilliant and totally dedicated to his teaching. I did a lot of research before committing to a weekly bass lesson, and it was worth every day I spent sifting through emails from idiots to find him. Do it right the first time, and you will be able to spend your lessons focusing on what you truly love about your instrument, rather than fixing second-rate techniques you're likely to pick up elsewhere. read more

While I was living in Austin, I took guitar lessons from Steve for two years. His talent for playing and instructing is only matched by the humble approach he takes to his lessons--my god he is talented. Each and every lesson gave me a new challenge and kept me motivated to learn. Music is a challenging discipline so you really have to make learning an enjoyable process. Steve kept me engaged by making sure I was having fun and learning the kinds of songs I wanted to play. Apologies to Steve for making him listen to Pete Doherty songs every week (ok I'm really not sorry haha). He has such a knack for transcribing music of any genre--really, that isn't an exaggeration, his range is unbelievable. Teaching music and teaching it well is what he does, period. Now that I'm out in SF, I really miss the weekly ritual of his lessons and I also really miss his upbeat personality. Thank you so much Steve, it was a blast learning from you and discussing everything from Paul Simon fingerpicking patterns to Medieval literature. Anyone in Austin looking to become a better guitarist, Steve is your man. read more

Steve is a fantastic teacher. I'm so happy that I found him and that I've been fortunate enough to take lessons from someone so knowledgeable, sincere, and fun. He meets you where you are and makes you feel excited about improving your guitar skills, no matter what level of player you are. Do yourself a favor and come and get lessons from the guitar consultant! read more

Let me star by saying guitar has always frustrated me. I've tried to learn on several occasions and failed miserably. Lessons with Steve is something completely different and my guess is his lessons or lesson plans are all as different as his individual students. There is no book. No judgements. He focuses on whatever little pieces my tiny ADD brain can grasp and manages to keep me motivated. I look forward to the lesson time, while before it has always been dread. I'm actually learning to play the guitar. Not some horrible note by note version of happy birthday and I don't feel like I am beating something to death. The songs- chosen from a list of my favorites- are a means to the skill. It's a fun hour each week and Steve is a real teacher, not just a good player. read more

I love taking lessons here with Steve. He's a very talented musician who has a seriously keen understanding of music theory, proper instruction technique, and how to motivate somebody to become better. He's also skilled at assessing your current proficiency and tailoring his lessons around you. There's no way I'd be at where I am right now with this instrument if it weren't for Steve's very affordable lessons. Going to my lesson is always a highlight of my week! I'd recommend Steve to anyone looking to better their skills. read more

Steve has been so helpful instructing my teenage son. My son has improved leaps and bounds since beginning lessons with Steve four months ago and his confidence and natural talent are making themselves known. Steve masters many styles, including what's relevant to my son in today's music. It's such a thrill to hear my son practicing funk, bossa nova, classic rock, modern rock, swing, classical and country. Steve is a great match for my son and I have no doubt that he is adaptable to any age or skill level. His rates are reasonable and he offers 1-hour lessons which I think are helpful. My son relates really well to Steve and vice versa. Highly recommend!!! read more

Very laid back, down to earth fellow who made me feel at ease with the guitar. He makes learning to play fun and simple. He educates instead of belittles so you never feel dumb in his presence. He's also very funny. I enjoyed lessons very much and can't wait to return. He's one of the most amazing music teachers I've ever had the pleasure of studying under. I'm lucky to have gotten the opportunity. read more

Steven helped me in my early guitar journey. He lets you create your own guitar path, which can be great for some students.

I waited 43 years to get serious about guitar, and this guy has steered me though some of the toughest moments. He's a master of metaphor, has a simple technique and mnemonic for grinding past all the stretches and bar chords and myriad nuances, and most of all, he's patient. He teaches my daughter as well, and has dealt expertly with her vicissitudes. There is always progress with Steve. read more

I was frustrated. I spent months trying to learn scales and modes but wasn't actually getting any better at the guitar. It only took Steve two lessons to change the way I look at the fretboard and improve my improvisation. He was able to quickly diagnose my skill level and provide the right information that helped me connect the missing dots. Steve is an excellent teacher. read more

I am a violinist. My husband Rich began taking guitar lessons six years ago with Steve for fun and so that we could play music together. Rich was an absolute beginner at 48 years old. Steve carefully with fun and good humor taught Rich the essentials and fine techniques to playing acoustic and electric guitar. Now, I love hearing my husband play his guitar. When family and friends come, I ask him to play for them. He just sounds good and that is because he has an excellent guitar teacher. Steve has also helped us work together as a duo so that our instruments blend musically. Also, due to Steve's encouragement, Rich has added vocals with his guitar and he often carries the melody line in our musical duo. Steve's musical training, teaching experience and extensive knowledge of musical instruments has allowed him to adapt music during our lessons for either guitar or violin lead. He has created beautiful harmonies for our repertoire. He is also willing to work on any song to make it work for us and on the right level. We always leave the lessons feeling energized! Steve is a professional guitar teacher who is there for you every week to encourage and train you on your musical journey. For the past six years, he has always been there every week for Rich's lessons. As a result, Rich practices everyday and so do I. We look forward to many more years of guitar lessons. It is just fun! read more

I was frustrated with my guitar playing. I was stuck, not knowing how to get past my limitations. I went to see Steve based on a friends recommendation, and man, am I glad I did. How opened a lot of doors for me and helped me see the fretboard in a new way. Steve is a great guy. Super nice, super knowledgable and humble. Steve is my #1 guitar teacher recommendation. read more

All thing wonderful describe lessons with Steve! Beyond the obvious, like his patience, ability to take you where you want to go, his technical understanding of the instrument and his ability to break it down in terms anyone can understand (all of which are true) it's bears mentioning that Steve is in fact a PROFESSIONAL GUITAR TEACHER. This means that he's not doing it as a side gig ie, doesn't disappear for three weeks because his band is going on tour (a common occurrence in Austin). He won't call last minute and cancel because he landed a gig... Can you tell I've run the gamut with instructors before Steve? I've been his student for several years and honestly can't believe the level I've achieved at my age! Do yourself a favor and give Steve a call and get going now, your only regret will be that you didn't get started earlier! read more

If you're interested in learning any guitar style or expanding your current abilities Steve's your guy. For me it was to learn the blues. Steve has taken me from a very basic three chord knowledge just over a year ago, to a solid knowledge of the blues. His instruction covered the minor blues scales, major blues scales, the five pentatonic positions, the "CAGED" system, arpeggios, seventh chords, 9th chords, understanding and learning the whole fret board in all keys, picking techniques, bends, vibrato and right hand techniques. During this process Steve has been patient with my learning level. He has worked with my schedule and provided me with the tools I need to succeed. I'm fortunate to have found Steve as an instructor. read more

Steve was a great teacher. He took the time to figure out what would make learning fun and how I would best learn to play. His techniques and insights really helped me progress. He was also extremely reliable and communicative. Also, his sense of humor really helped make the lessons more enjoyable. I can't recommend him highly enough. read more

If you're interested in learning any guitar style or expanding your current abilities Steve's your guy. For me it was to learn the blues. Steve has taken me from a very basic three chord knowledge just over a year ago, to a solid knowledge of the blues. His instruction covered the minor blues scales, major blues scales, the five pentatonic positions, the "CAGED" system, arpeggios, seventh chords, 9th chords, understanding and learning the whole fret board in all keys, picking techniques, bends, vibrato and right hand techniques. During this process Steve has been patient with my learning level. He has worked with my schedule and provided me with the tools I need to succeed. I'm fortunate to have found Steve as an instructor. read more

First lesson last week. I am very impressed with steve's knowledge and guitar playing. He listened to where I wanted to take my guitar playing to, he had a plan and sent him home with a lot to practice. I have been practicing the CAGE system and we will see where it brings us to next week. So far so good. read more

Steve is TERRIFIC! We are both beginners, and wanted to learn to play guitar for our love of music. We both felt comfortable with Steve from the first lesson. Steve's approach is unique in that he adapts his teaching to match both the student's technical ability, and learning style...you see results quickly, and stay motivated for the next lesson. We both look forward to our lessons, and are enjoying a great new hobby! read more

I'm new to music lessons and was a tad intimidated to start playing the guitar. After the first lesson with Steve, I was totally hooked. I wanted to learn the basics of guitar playing and rip out fave songs for myself (and eventually friends and fam). What's great is that Steve approaches each lesson with my guitar-playing goals in mind. Each lesson feels different, based on what we're fixing (bad playing habits) or starting (new chords). If, during one class, you want to learn about music theory, he can deliver. When you need chord exercises, Steve can patiently work on those with you, too. He's able to dissect what you're doing wrong with laser precision, craft different ways to overcome playing difficulties, and help you, miraculously, progress to the next level. And he does it with humor and ease. Steve's kick-ass -- a hilarious, educational guitar god who has made playing the guitar accessible and fiercely fun. read more