About Keith Packard
If you’re looking for someone to teach you or your child guitar, I’m guessing you want to know all about them right?
My background is in rock, jazz, country and just about every style. When I was 10 years old, I became obsessed with Jimi Hendrix. A few years later, my dad took me to see Yes. Getting into Yes’s guitarist Steve Howe led me to discovering Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, Chet Atkins and the lineage of all the guitar greats.
Music education & teaching
I took lessons in high school from the late great Vic Juris. This led me to attend William Paterson University from 2008 to 2012 as part of their world-famous Jazz Performance program. I was one of only two guitarists selected from around the world and I graduated with high honors.
After college, teaching has always been an important part of my life as a musician. When I explain my background, many prospective students get intimidated that lessons will be like attending a rigid class at a university. Things couldn’t be further from the truth!
What I’ve done over the years is use my skills in music theory, ear training, and improvisation to directly help students learn and achieve their specific goals.
A couple of examples :
I taught a student “The Wind Cries Mary” but instead of just learning Jimi’s guitar part, we learned Jimi’s approach - the scales he uses, the touch, etc so that we could apply this to future playing and songwriting.
When Summer rolls around, the requests roll in for Taylor Swift’s “August.” Because this song doesn’t have a ton of guitar - I created both a simple version that an absolute beginner could play, but I went further with an advanced version where the strumming mimics the awesome drums on that track.
Why I love teaching guitar
There are many, many examples but the overall point is that teaching is one of the things that brings me a ton of happiness - and so I use my skills not as an exercise in ego as so many teachers do, but to help students find their inner musician and bring a smile to their face!
A music teacher also has to be a bit of a life coach. Some weeks a student doesn’t get a ton of practice. I totally understand!
Sometimes we make a plan for what we specifically want to achieve, but things are not working - we recalibrate! Flexibility and openness are critical at every stage I’m here to help you out and be your cheerleader.
On a very personal note, I’m constantly striving to foster a place and a teaching style that people love and make them feel personal growth. It makes me so happy to say that I consider most of my students to be not just clients, but friends.
Keith
