Mary Lord

My Teaching Philosophy

This is best summed up by the expression: you gotta love what you do. Except that in the case of a musical instrument, there are a number of things one must do. You need a good technical foundation, tone, rhythm, and a grasp and understanding of the music (to know is to love) in order to develop a good interpretation. You will also develop good practice and sight-reading habits. I hope to involve you in ensemble playing at some stage. You need a large amount of patience and a commitment to practice diligently for about an hour a day. Only then can these skills grow (one of my teachers used to say that Rome wasn't built in a day). I want to teach you everything I know from the beginning to the advanced stages of classical guitar, and renaissance and baroque lute.

I can also be of help with the rudiments of folk guitar playing - you will learn all about progressions, strumming, finger-picking, bar chords, the works! If you come for individual lessons, you can bring a CD of your favorite artist and I will teach you to play in that style.

I can also help you out with a good entry-level nylon string guitar for $60 or a really good sounding one for $250. And I have lutes to lend out until people can get their own (lutes are usually custom-made and have waiting lists).

My individual lessons are $30 for 30 minutes, $45 for 45 minutes, and $60 for 60 minutes. Non-residents must pay an additional fee, but only for the classes in Lynnwood. On Tuesdays, I teach through the Gene Nastri School in Mukilteo.

A really affordable way to get started on the guitar is through one of my popular classes at the Lynnwood (425) 771-4030 or Everett (425) 257-8300 Parks and Recreations facilities. They cost $112-120 depending on location and usually run for 8x2hrs once weekly, sometimes 10x1 hrs, for people aged 15 and over. Lynnwood is offering a class for 11-14 year-olds as well. After this class, you will have an easier time deciding in which direction you want to go with the guitar.