Welcome
Welcome to joemarquand.com.
Here you'll find information on lessons, reassuring background information and a calendar of events.
You'll also find a brief biography, testimonials from students, and other information. You'll have the chance to hear some music and find out a little bit about me as a person. I hope you'll enjoy your visit to this site. Please feel free to contact me about anything you see on this site or if you have questions.
(503) 281-4534 or joe@joemarquand.com
Lesson Plans
Students are welcome to study any style that interests them. I do not have a stylistic preference in my teaching. Any style works equally well for my purposes as a teacher. I am familiar with and have performed rock, blues, jazz, funk, rhythm and blues, reggae, country, bluegrass, flatpicking, swing, Gypsy jazz, ragtime, fingerpicking, slide guitar and other styles. I also teach mandolin, banjo, steel guitar, bass and ukulele.
Lessons are typically once a week. This gives the student a chance to perfect the techniques and material before the next lesson. Weekly lessons work best, in my experience, because of continuity and the constant flow of new material. I encourage students to bring in songs that they want to learn rather than rely on method books or my own preferences. I can give the student a transcription if they bring in recorded music of their choice or I can lead them through published tablature transcriptions, if they prefer. Learning to read music notation is a powerful skill that I am willing to teach if the student is interested.
More advanced students can greatly benefit from an understanding of basic music theory and ear training. Having had such training myself at a relatively early age, I am aware that many people avoid and fear this aspect of learning music. My approach is to subtly embed the training in the music the students choose. Done correctly, learning these skills becomes easy and painless.
As a professional, I am aware that my job is customer service. If my students are happy and progressing, then I am enjoying myself and am successful. So, I try my best to give my students exactly what they want to learn, while ensuring they acquire the skills they need to succeed.
My current rate for lessons is $30 per hour and $20 per half-hour, payable in advance by the month, on the first lesson of the month. My cancellation policy requires a 24 hour notice to avoid a forfeiture. Make up lessons are scheduled by availability.
- Slide Guitar
- Lap Steel
- Slack Key Guitar
- Ukulele
- Mandolin
- Banjo
- Bass
- Music Theory and Harmony
- Ear Training