Teacher Philosophy

Nothing is more crucial in learning a musical instrument than feedback and direction from a trained instructor in a private setting. I have encountered many students that are "self-taught" or have learned from online lessons. The problem with this type of learning is that more often then not the student ends up practicing the exercise or technique learned the wrong way. The student must then "unlearn" this bad habit and then "re-learn" the correct way.

Finding a music instructor can be frustrating if you don't know exactly what to look for. Good guitar instructors in particular can be hard to find because a lot of teachers tend to just teach songs without really educating how to play and understand the instrument. Be careful with the big teacher finding services because they usually employ younger teachers that might be good players but not necessarily good teachers (A lot of the time they hire them over the internet without even meeting them as well). I have developed a system over 15 years of teaching and thousands of lessons that works great for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students. I like to custom tailor each lesson and the overall learning plan for each student depending on age, music preference, and realistic time availability for practice.

Instructor Experience

- 15 years of Private Guitar and Bass Instruction Experience.

- 4 years as a Guitar and Bass Instructor at Yamaha Music School of Fountain Valley and Saddleback.

- 2 years as Princeton Review Instructor.

- Graduated Honors with a Bachelor of Music Performance Degree in Classical Guitar and Baroque Lute from the University of California, Irvine.

- Studied Rock Guitar with Rusty Anderson (current guitarist for Paul McCartney as well as studio guitarist for Elton John, Perry Farrell, Animal Logic, Ricky Martin, and more).

- Studied Classical Guitar with David Tanenbaum, Scott Tennant, Ricardo Cobo, and John Schneidermann. Performed in Master Classes for David Tanenbaum and Ricardo Cobo.

- Studied three years of Jazz Theory with Alan Rowe (Stan Kenton Orchestra, Keith Jarret).

- Studied nine years of classical piano.

You Will Learn

-Proper Technique- Exercises to strengthen fingers and build dexterity/finger Independence. Also finger picking, sweep picking other advanced techniques.

-Improvising- Lead guitar playing and soloing. Scales, modes and arpeggios.

-Ear Training- Learn how to "pick-up" a song on your own. Interval identification training.

-Songwriting- All aspects of writing your own songs including chord progressions, riffs, melody, and lyrics.

Rhythm- Strum patterns, finger picking rhythms, downstroke alternative rhythms, funk grooves, etc.

Theory- Jazz theory and chord analysis, intervals, major key formula, etc.

Notation Reading- Used predominately for classical and Jazz music training. Also learn Tablature reading.

Testimonials

"Mark is a first rate instructor. He has instructed me in rock, blues, jazz, country, and finger-picking styles. I have received well rounded lessons not only in performance, but also in theory and reading music. Best of all, Mark is always enthusiastic, never judgmental, and has kept my lessons interesting for almost four years. It is the one hour a week that I always look forward to!"

Pat Harvey, Guitar Student since Oct, 2001

"Mark took the time to get to know my own personal goals in guitar playing. He was then able to tailor his teaching method to appeal to my goals while bringing in the necessary exercises and theory to allow me to progress as an overall player. I most appreciate Mark's ability to let me bring any [style of] music to a lesson, be it rock, jazz, blues, fingerstyle, bluegrass, or other. Mark can help me play the music better, and gain a greater understanding of the compositional construction. I highly recommend Mark Hamrock as a teacher for players of any skill level."

Mitchell Price, Guitar Student since Jan 2003

"I have taken bass lessons from Mark for about a year and a half. I feel Mark is a great teacher and he really knows how to structure his lessons. The structure of Mark's teaching is something that I notice the most. Mark sets up his lessons so you grow as a musician properly. Not having too much information to overwhelm you but enough so you grow at a steady pace. Mark has a great personality and makes you feel that you are not only his student but also a friend. I would recommend Mark to any new or seasoned musician."

Brian Hester, Bass Student since Feb 2004

"When I was looking for a bass instructor, I searched throughout Southern California trying to find a teacher who was willing to work with a mid-career beginning adult student. I have been extremely pleased working with Mark. Mark is patient and understanding of the demands on an adult's schedule. His teaching style gets you playing the songs that you want to play from the first lesson. In addition, he has taken my skill level to new levels in a mere six months. I have played gigs with friends in a band, and look forward to doing more gigs. I strongly recommend Mark Hamrock as an instructor."

Jim H., Bass Student since Jan 2005

My lessons are my favorite part of my week. I have a ton of fun while learning exactly what I need to get to the next level. The lessons are the perfect blend of challenging and fun. The great thing about lessons with Mark Hamrock is that his knowledge of the guitar is so expansive (classical, rock, jazz, etc.) that he can constructively instruct and improve the student no matter what his/her ability or style may be. A fantastic teacher, player, and musician, lessons with Mark have greatly improved my knowledge of the instrument. (I've gone from suck to ok in a relative short time).

Joe Haley, Guitar Student since Nov 2003

"Mark Hamrock truly enjoys watching his students excel. Marks success, I feel comes from his easy manner, positivism, punctuality, computer skills and overall knowledge of all kinds of music. The lesson plans are absolutely customized to each student, offering each student the ability to take it to the next level and each session builds on the previous..........
Mark has been an invaluable teacher to me but I regard him more as my music coach, coaching me against learning bad habits, how to prepare for a recording studio, music instruments and brand names to consider buying and helping me to develop skills that will come in handy as I grow with my instrument and the band. Everyone can't believe I have only been playing for a year…I have a secret weapon...it is Mark Hamrock."

Michael Brindley, Bass Student since Aug 2004

Serving clientale in all areas of Orange County, California, with Guitar and Bass Lessons and Instruction including the cities of- Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Brea, Buena Park, Corona del Mar, Costa Mesa, Coto de Caza, Crystal Cove, Cypress, Dana Point, Dove Canyon, El Toro, Foothill Ranch, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, La Palma, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos, Midway City, Mission Viejo, Modjeska Canyon, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, North Tustin, Orange, Orange Park Acres, Placentia, Portola Hills, Rancho Santa Margarita, Robinson Ranch, Rossmoor, San Clemente, San Joaquin Hills, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Santiago Canyon, Seal Beach, Silverado Canyon, Stanton, Sunset Beach, Surfside, Talega, Trabuco Canyon, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, and Yorba Linda.