Betsey Knox
Ninilchik, Alaska

I have three children, ages 11, 13 and 19, who have taken lessons with Lee and Bill for over a year now.   They all basically knew nothing about playing the guitar when they started in a group lesson with several other friends.  Lee and Bill were very patient with them and gave them exercises to stretch and strengthen their fingers so they could reach and press harder on the chords. Along with teaching basic music theory, they’ve learned about notes, major and minor scales, plucking and strumming patterns, bar chords, vibrato and the guitar itself. Within a few months, their group was able to play and sing a song for their Homeschool chapel with some students strumming and some plucking, and then later they performed a more complicated song.  This year, some new kids have joined their lesson, so at times they would split up so the beginners could get the basics down.  They were able to perform a few more songs this year also, which have been fun for them. One was a song my daughter picked out and wanted to play, so she figured out the chords and plucking patterns with some help from Bill.  My daughter is graduating from high school this year, so probably won’t continue with lessons, but I’m thankful that she’s been given the tools and basic understanding to be able to learn new songs, transpose, figure out good strumming and picking patterns and hopefully get good enough where she can take her guitar to various places and provide music for groups to sing along.  One of the young men in our lessons often accompanies the piano along with some other instruments at our church. Our two other children plan to continue with lessons as they really enjoy them.  Lee and Bill make the lessons fun and interesting. They are good with kids and have a friendly, unpressured attitude that helps to encourage them to learn.  One thing I really appreciate is how they start off the lessons with prayer, and are willing to work on songs and styles of music that we prefer.  I’d highly recommend them for anyone wanting to learn guitar, or grow in their guitar skill.