New Class: How to Play Lead Guitar. The class is designed to teach you all the basics of using scales to create interesting and beautiful solos.
Classes will be held at Studio Fourth Street in San Rafael, starting

Sunday evenings, 8:10 to 9:10 PM 

January 11 through Feb 22, 2026

7 weeks for $155.
Students will learn some music theory including:

What notes are in the common chords;

When to use each of the common scales (Major, Minor, Mixolydian mode).

When to bend strings to sound bluesy.

Practicing scales will be included, as well as some note reading and ear training. The goal is to get you past the plateau, to a point where you can easily play beautiful solos, in a variety of styles.
If all goes well, we can continue for another 7 weeks in March, with more advanced material. Please contact me if you are interested in joining this class.

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The Acoustic Jam Session Class is happening weekly in our beautiful new space,  Studio Fourth Street in downtown San Rafael. The next session will run Sunday evenings from January 11 through Febuary 22, 2026,  7:00 to 8 PM, and the 7-week session will cost $155. This is a great chance to improve your skills while having fun playing with other people! Please contact me to register. Players of melody instruments (flute, violin etc.), are especially welcome.

A Jam Session is a great way to have fun playing music with other people! Learn how to follow other musicians, how to lead a song, and how to observe jam session etiquette. Players of all acoustic instruments are welcome. The emphasis is on simple songs with only three or four chords that other people can follow easily, without reading music or even reading chord names. Come join this fun group and improve your musicianship.

Music Theory for Guitar and Ukulele Players will be offered again through College of Marin Community Education, starting in January, 2027. I hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to better understand what you are doing. It is the key to progress! This class happens once a year.

 I offer private lessons in downtown San Rafael, at Studio Fourth Street (1569 Fourth Street, at the corner of F Street), on Sundays. I also teach at Eric Schoenberg Guitars in Tiburon on Mondays.

Updated December, 2025

UKULELE CLASS

The Continuing Ukulele Class (above) had a party after the last class. 

PERFORMANCE

Joe’s advanced ukulele students gave their first performance at The Redwoods in Mill Valley in February 2016. Barbara, Eric, Paige, Rob, and Mairead with singer Pam Tibbits, performed under the name “The Ukes of Hazzard”. A good time was had by all!

 

Ricky Sunderland performing (Joe’s longtime student).  You can see other students performing, on the Students Performing Videos page.