Frequently Asked Questions about...

My Music

Q: What styles do you play?

A: Mostly rock, jazz, and blues however I have an extensive folk and country background and a small classical repertoire. Also I perform opera and art songs while accompanying myself on the guitar.

Q: Do you accompany singers?

A: Yes. I generally require advance preparation and one rehearsal in order to give you a good tempo and to bring out the best in your voice.

Q: Will you work with an existing band?

A: Yes, and I will even do free charity gigs. My only requirement is that the gig and rehearsals be done in a professional fashion.

Q: Would you like to jam with our band?

A: Sure, if it fits in my schedule and is a real jam, not an excuse for a beer bash. I don't do beer bashes unless I'm being paid to perform.

Q: Do you perform as a soloist?

A: Yes. Generally on the classical or acoustic guitar singing my favorite French, German, and Italian arias and art songs. I've also got an extensive folk, medieval ballad, an old-style country repertoire, and some rock, blues, and jazz. The rock, blues, and jazz aren't well suited to solo performance on the guitar.

Photo Credit: Roger Baker, www.ImageInations.com

Q: Do you do weddings?

A: Yes. Check out the details here.

Q: What do you charge per performance?

A: The Aria Project, which is a solo acoustic act, is the one I'm actively booking right now. I publish my prices for reception and solo work for the Aria Project here. All those prices are based on an event at a single location, within Bernalillo County, with a playing time of one to three hours. If you need a different time period or you're outside Bernalillo County I need to price your event separately to factor in driving time. However, if you're a non-profit charity, you may be able to get me for a reduced price or even free. I do a lot of volunteer work.

Q: How do I book you?

A: Simply click on the Contact Me link available at the left or from the main page. You may contact me by phone or by E-mail.

Q: Can you put together a group for a specific occasion?

A: Contact me and we'll talk about it. I generally don't do that kind of work any more but I may be able to put you in touch with people who do.

Lessons

Q: How do I sign up for lessons?

A: Simply click on the Contact Me link available at the left or from the main page. You may contact me by phone or by E-mail.

Q: Why should I take lessons?

A: So that you learn to play better than you do. So that you learn efficiently without having to spend a bunch of time re-inventing the wheel, so that there aren't any serious gaps in your skills and knowledge, and so that you don't develop bad habits that will hamper you later.

Q: Do I need any special books or study materials?

"The Principles Of Correct Practice For Guitar" by Jamie Andreas is the only book I require. You can get it directly from Guitar Principles on-line, pick up a used copy if you can find one, or buy one directly from me. All my students must have this book by their second lesson. You can get it here: Buy "The Principles" From Jamie's Store

Aside from that, the music and method books you select once you get to the advanced beginner or early intermediate stage will depend on the style you like to play. If you want to get beyond the early intermediate level, you will have to play music (and exercises derived from the music) in the style you're studying.

Q: Where do you teach?

A: I generally teach out of my home studio which is near Unser and Tierra Pintada (old 98th just north of Ladera) on the West Side.

Q: Do you teach mobile lessons?

A: Yes. It is more expensive but I can travel as far east as the river, as far south as I-40, as far west as 98th street, and as far north as Ellison. Depending on where I am at a given time of day, I may be able to negotiate a mobile lesson outside that area but my travel time and costs will be passed on to you. Most of the mobile lessons I do are for multiple students. I offer an option whereby more than one student can split a one-hour lesson (generally I teach them separately). This works nicely for some families.

Q: Why don't you teach outside that area?

A: If I build my travel time and gas mileage into the lesson fee, it won't be financially practical for my students if I have to travel farther.

Q: How long have you been teaching professionally?

A: Since early 2007.

Q: What makes you qualified to teach music?

A: I started playing guitar in 1982, studied music theory extensively in high school, and studied with Jamie Andreas, the creator of the Guitar Principles method of instruction from July 2005 through February 2009. In addition to learning the guitar Jamie has been teaching me pedagogy, which is the art of teaching someone else how to play the guitar. I've also done consultation lessons with Ney Mello and am studying voice with Carmen Acosta.

Other

Q: What does the "R.A." stand for?

A: Nothing. Long ago in a galaxy far away, I used to have a first and middle name. I no longer do. Since they were starting to annoy me, I had them legally erased in 2005 and now only the initials are left. If you simply must imagine them representing words, I recommend "Remaining Anonymous", "Radical Anarchist", or possibly "Republican Antichrist". Or, you can make up an acronym of your own as long as it's clean.

Q: What's up with the freakish stickers on the guitar? Is it made out of paper?

A: No, because then it would be a lot sturdier.

The Amazing Traveling Fake-Strat is quite possibly the cheapest guitar on the planet. It began its life as an inexpensive knock-off of a Fender Stratocaster, then went downhill. The stickers are not actually holding it together (I use duct tape for that) but they are definitely the most expensive part. They started as a way to cover up airplane damage. Eventually I started adding a sticker every time there was a weather delay, my luggage got lost, or there was other travel drama that wasn't somehow my fault. After a few years, it became impossible to see the original red. I have several other guitars, but I keep the Fake-Strat for travel and mobile teaching. Although it gets banged up sometimes it will never be completely destroyed. Only expensive guitars actually get broken or stolen. Besides, the Fake-Strat is so badly trashed, and so cheesy, that it's become accidentally cool.