Harmony Music

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About Me

Hi, I'm Gary Lee and I have operated Harmony Music since 2011.  I started playing guitar around 1972, at 9 years old, when my oldest brother came back from Vietnam, by way of a commune in Colorado, bringing a Yamaha classical guitar back home with him; he'd be attending college classes at night and I'd sneak into his room to play his guitar to the tunes coming out of an old AM radio that was in there, typically rock, pop or folk tunes, but also some old-school country music and blues.  I also have an extensive background playing bass and keys.

My life revolves around music; I have an extensive vinyl record collection, and also buy, sell, trade and collect all types of instruments - primarily guitars, but instruments in my studio include a gong, harmonium and zither - and that's just at first glance.    I've played in numerous bands in various genres, from punk to bluegrass, playing bass, keys and guitar on many stages and studios, but these days focus on my acoustic playing and composing skills.    I'd love to help you acquire or improve your own bass, keys or guitar playing skills!

My Musical Education Background

I started teaching myself how to play guitar when I was 9 years old, and tired of hearing me trying to figure it out on my own, my mom gifted me guitar lessons starting when I was 11 years old.  That was over 45 years ago.  The lessons really made a difference, in helping me figure out how to make different types of chords and also how to use my own ears to figure out tunes - as well as how to read music.  I have a Bachelor's degree in Education, a certificate in Advanced Musical Studies from Brevard College, and have been an educator since 1987, including as the Music teacher for a public school!  I have composed close to 500 songs, recorded and/or produced various albums, love being in the studio, and truly love teaching!

Genres and Subjects Taught

I don't do jazz or metal, but am game on for pretty much any other genre of music.  I've played in rock, alternative rock, punk rock, blues, bluegrass, funk and country bands, and have learned something valuable in each of these experiences.  For my own enjoyment, these days I gravitate to more traditional and alt-folk sounds on an acoustic guitar, as well as a lot of bass guitar lately.

Lesson Rates

$25 per half-hour lesson; $40 per hour lesson (available on a case by case basis).  Discounts may be available for prepaying a block of lessons.

Ages / Skill Levels Taught

I have literally taught ages 4 to 84 (at least), but prefer to start teaching at age 11 as a general rule, as I can draw on my own experiences starting being taught guitar at that age.  I am NOT a shredder or technical wiz, nor do I wish to be, so if that's something you aspire to, you would do best looking elsewhere.  But, if you want to learn the basics and/or improve skills you already have, I absolutely can help you improve your guitar, bass or keyboard game!

My Certifications and Awards

The best award of all, has been when I find out students I had years ago are still playing and thank me for helping them where they were with their playing at the time!

My Musical Influences

• I am a child of the 60's and 70's, so guitarists who got their start in those eras resonate the most with me, though there's a lot of diversity in there!  Scotty Moore, Woody Guthrie, early Bob Dylan, Paul Simon (an incredibly underrated guitarist), Neil Young, John Martyn, Nick Drake and Richard Thompson and so many, many more continue to inform me, and provide a standard to which I can gauge myself.  

 - For bass, I am informed by the rock greats like John Entwistle, Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, Paul McCartney, as well as session greats like Carol Kaye, James Jamerson and Larry Knechtel.  My keyboard influences are truly from all over the place.

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