Anyone know of a good advanced guitar teacher in the Seattle area?

Focus on lead and writing music, prefer in-home lessons (I live on the Eastside).

Right now I have a waiting list around four years long. I’m sorry–I wish I could take everybody right away.

Perhaps you’d like to study with another teacher, at least until I can teach you. Here are some of my favorite guitar teachers in Seattle.

Pete Alba

If you’re looking for a guitar teacher for your child, look no further. Pete shares my philosophy, enthusiasm, and experience, and he’s a super-nice guy to boot.

Styles: Introductory through advanced guitar techniques (both fingerstyle and flatpick), beginning through advanced music theory as it relates to guitar, Ear-Training (general), and guitar techniques used in playing rock, funk, jazz, blues and folk.

Ages: Mostly younger students through high school, but adults are certainly welcome.

Location: West Seattle

Availability: flexible

206-629-4229

Julie Sakahara and Joe Vinikow

Joe and Julie are fun, friendly, and patient–wonderful teachers and wonderful people. They only teach adult group lessons. Here’s some information from their website:

Rusty picker? First time player? Have fun, meet other players in Seattle’s most successful small group guitar classes for adults.

Styles: Folk Country and Contemporary; Roots, Rock and R&B; Swing to Jazz.

Ages: Adults only.

Location: Roosevelt High School near Green Lake.

Availability: Tuesday evenings.

206-322-5692
Seattle Guitar Classes

Linda Waterfall

Linda is a well-loved and critically-acclaimed artist who currently teaches songwriting at Cornish College of the Arts. I met her a few years ago at the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop, and took an excellent songwriting class from her recently. She is a great source of inspiration and wisdom, and her music is absolutely gorgeous. I give her my highest recommendation.

Styles: Songwriting, basic guitar skills (both fingerstyle & flatpick), guitar-based music theory, advanced fingerstyle.

Ages: Mostly high school and up, but also younger students, if they’re motivated

Location: Wallingford

Availability: Flexible

Email Linda
Linda’s Website

Orville Johnson

Orville is not only a world-class musician–he’s played on hundreds of albums, and appeared on Prarie Home Companion–he’s also a generous and dedicated teacher. He even performed at a recent Coffee Shop Jam. What a treat!

I took lessons from Orville in 2006 to get some help with my country and blues technique, and I enjoyed his patient teaching style and wealth of knowledge. And you must see him perform with Mark Graham in the hilarious Kings of Mongrel Folk. I love their song “Neighbor of the Beast,” about the disgruntled next-door neighbor of the Devil.

Styles: Dobro, Bottleneck Slide, Fingerstyle both blues and other, Flatpicking both bluegrass and other, Improvising and soloing, Music Theory applied to guitar, General guitar applicable to many styles.

Ages: Older teens and adults

Location: Dusty Strings

Availability: Tuesdays and occasional weekend appointments

206-932-4971
Orville’s Website

Val D’Alessio

I found out about Val through the parent of one of her students, who gave her high praise. Val is both a professional musician and teaches music in the schools.

Styles: Rock, folk, blues, and country, beginners to intermediate.

Ages: Adults and kids 8 and up.

Location: Wedgewood/Ravenna area of Seattle.

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