Hi! My name’s Nathan. I’m a musician based in Western Massachusetts, and have been teaching guitar and bass to kids, teens, adults since 2013. Music is my passion, and I love sharing the gift of playing music with my students. We’ll create a safe environment where you can challenge yourself and explore your creativity, and I’ll tailor lessons to your goals and interests. You can hear some of what I play over at my music & videos page. Email or text me to schedule a lesson or a free introductory call. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
What we can work on
Getting started - Fundamentals, your first chords, and how to play songs you love.
Rock & metal - Learning your favorite riffs and guitar solos, and working on technique and shredding.
Fingerstyle & solo guitar - Fingerpicking, open tunings, and arranging a song for guitar.
Improvisation & theory - Soloing, harmony, and learning how to learn songs by ear.
Everything else! I love a lot of different music. We can also work on songwriting, production, and performing.
As a parent it has been gratifying to watch my son Truman flourish under the watchful eye of Nathan. He is a careful and considerate teacher who updates me, and is concerned not only regarding skill and technique, but also with Truman’s feeling about his progression. I highly recommend him if you’re interested in the development of full musicianship in your child.
- Rachel Y., parent
Nathan is the best guitar teacher! I’m a novice and have zero experience. Nathan is patient, clear and a pleasure to be around! No matter what your skill level or your needs, I have no doubt you’ll be incredibly grateful to have Nathan as your teacher!
- Amana F., adult student
Offerings
30 minute lesson - $40. Can also be bought as a group of 4 lessons for $120.
60 minute lesson - $60. Can also be bought as a group of 4 lessons for $200.
After all my lessons, I’ll provide handouts, resources, lessons notes, and/or practice plans so that you can review what we went over in the lesson and continue working on them in your own time.
All lessons can be at my home studio or remotely. Depending on your location and availability, I can travel to you for a travel fee.
Location
Lessons happen at my home studio in Montague, and I can travel to students' homes across the Franklin and Hampshire counties — Greenfield, Turners Falls, Deerfield, Sunderland, Amherst, Northampton, and nearby towns. I also teach remotely.
Why I teach
Music has been such an important part of my life, since I was a kid. Playing guitar has given me a sense of accomplishment and purpose, a community, an outlet for emotional expression, a framework for learning, a model for communication. It’s opened up countless experiences and connections with people that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I love giving people support to achieve their musical goals, so that they can find whatever they’re looking for too. Supporting someone to make themselves proud of what they’ve learned and been able to do is one of the great joys I get to share with my students.
Teaching philosophy
I have two beliefs that underpin my teaching:
Anyone can become a great musician - whatever that means to them. I support and encourage students to push themselves past what they think their limits are. I discuss with students the role that they want guitar to have in their lives, to make sure we’re pushing in the right direction. I work with students to build love and excitement for playing guitar.
The student-teacher relationship is the most important element of lessons. I cultivate an environment where students can feel safe to try new things and make mistakes without judgment. I make space for students to go at their own pace and pursue what excites them. A person’s relationship to guitar can be deeply personal, and I work with students to make sure they’re satisfied with who they are and where they’re going as musicians.
Cancellation policy
I’ll send you a text message or email reminder 48 hours before our lesson. Lessons canceled by the student within 24 hours of the lesson are non-refundable outside of extenuating circumstances. Earlier cancelations can be rescheduled.