Guitar Instruction

Learning the Guitar with Dr. Peter Zisa

First lessons
cover the fundamentals of guitar skills: how to hold the instrument, position both hands, establish mechanical control, and develop independence of movement of the fingers. The lessons include enjoyable music-making pieces that also help them enjoy the process of developing solid basic skills. The method includes duets and first steps in learning improvisation! The introductory courses are ideal for students of all ages. Much of the method material comes from Dr. Zisa’s Book: Learning to Play the Guitar Step by Step for Children and Their Parents.

Intermediate lessons are focused on making greater advancement in technique and musical skills. Technical lessons are focused on developing enjoyable repertoire while advancing the development musical skills: dynamic shaping of melodies, greater facility in playing scales, slurs, tremolo and arpeggio technique.

Advanced lessons are directed to those wishing to develop virtuoso skills with the purpose of participating in competitions and developing a performance career. Guitarists gain the highest-level technical and musical skills while developing a virtuoso repertoire. It is worth noting, Dr. Zisa has a distinguished record of taking students through all three of these developmental stages with extraordinary results. Most of these students have gone on to earn substantial university scholarships and win or place in city (Los Angeles, Portland), as well as state, national, and international competitions (GFA competition, Portland State Guitar Competition, Denver’s National Guitar Competition, ASTA Competition, and the Guitar Hero competition).

Music Theory lessons for Guitarists wishing to better understand the guitar fingerboard as it relates to the structure of scales, chord forms, and the harmonic relationships (harmonic progressions). Students then learn to integrate and apply what they learn to enhance and inform their skills in interpretation, improvisation, and composition.

Master classes are helpful for those wishing to develop the highest level of musicianship. These classes represent the pinnacle of musical development. These classes focus on greater refinement in technique (speed, ease, and accuracy), developing your signature tone, and engaging interpretative style.

Learning the Guitar with Dr. Peter Zisa

Dr. Peter Zisa is an acclaimed performer on 6 and 8 string classical guitar who performs throughout the U.S. and abroad. During his tenure as a professor of music and head of the guitar program at Pacific University, Marylhurst University, and Cascade College – he taught courses in Music History, Music Theory, Chamber Ensemble, World Music, Composition, Guitar Ensemble, and Guitar Skills for Music Therapists and Educators. He has earned a reputation as a music coach par excellence whose students consistently develop remarkable musical and expressive skills. An impressive number of his students have won state, national, and international awards, performed at Carnegie Hall, and became accomplished guitar performers.

Rescheduling/Cancelation Policy: Students must provide 24 hour notice to reschedule the lesson to another date and time. If the student cannot reschedule the lesson, the lesson is forfeited. If a student misses a lesson without giving notice, the lesson will be forfeited.