When the student is ready, the guitar instructor appears
I have had the pleasure of playing music off and on for about seven years now with Rex Bell, professional guitar instructor, mostly as a backup sax player in his RGS Rock Ensemble where we performed at various venues in Northern California including the Oakland Coliseum for Oakland A’s baseball games, outdoor events such as 4th of July celebrations in Napa and even a concert or two at the Dean Lesher Auditorium in Walnut Creek, CA.
Although I also began playing guitar at an early age, my more formal music studies were focused on woodwinds starting with Clarinet in sixth grade in the school band and then flute in college when I began majoring in music in the early 70’s. Later I took up saxophone with the encouragement of my wife and had the pleasure of studying with Ron Stallings, who played with Huey Lewis & The News, and then later with Max Pricco who performed with Mel Torme, Captain & Tennille and others.
Recently I became more serious about my guitar playing and began taking guitar lessons from Rex. I must say that although I have been playing guitar off and on for over forty years, I have learned more on the guitar in six weeks than I have in the last 15 years, and my confidence in performing has grown by leaps and bounds. Today I was reflecting and wishing I had had the opportunity and good fortune earlier in life to meet up with a guitar instructor like Rex.
I know my guitar technique today would be incredibly different. So, this got me thinking of the old adage “when the student is ready, the teacher appears”.. Well, I would tend to think that I was ready back then, but it seems that if the teacher did appear, I didn’t recognize him. So, if you are an aspiring guitarist who really wants to become a true “musician” or just to take your technique to the next level, the teacher has appeared. Do yourself a favor, call Rex (925) 695-7060 for a free guitar lesson. — Craig H., San Ramon
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