Details Up Front

B Sharp Studio is located in West Seattle, 7 minutes away from the West Seattle Bridge. Private or small group guitar and bass lessons are offered, beginner to advanced levels, and drum lessons beginner to intermediate. Lessons can be taught in your home, for an additional fee.

Students’ progress is rewarded with certificates of achievement. Children and teens are encouraged to read music; adults may learn to read music if interested. Parents are welcome to sit in on lessons. References are available on request.

Lessons are taught days and evenings. Rates are reasonable and low cost instruments are available to rent. This includes a drum set to use in my studio.

Guitar playing guitar-by Rudyard

Lesson Content

Lessons may include:

  • Technique
  • Chord vocabulary
  • Scales and music theory
  • Note reading
  • Repertoire
  • Songs

I may learn a song off a recording for you, or I may show you how to assign chords to a melody you carry in your head, or how to include a bridge in a song of your own invention. You may decide to record your song in my recording studio.

Lesson Details
A black and white graphic with a wavy line on the left and a stepped pattern on the right, resembling a stylized wave and staircase.

B Sharp Studio Philosophy on Teaching

Guitar Lessons, Bass Lessons, Drum Lessons

  • What do you hope to get out of lessons
  • What are your favorite songs or styles of music
  • What are areas to work on – I teach music and apply it to the style of your choosing.
  • The beginner deserves a long runway, patient atmosphere and review,
  • Together we’ll chart a course and pursue it with flexibility,
  • The experienced player who knows what they want has my attention,
  • Feeling satisfied with what you’re learning is the best incentive for more learning.
  • Present (the lesson content)
  • Encourage
  • Listen
  • Assist
  • Plan
  • Review
  • Learning the songs and pieces that students want to learn,
  • Providing live performance venues to work towards,
  • Listening to what the student is thinking, besides stating my observations,
  • Giving constructive help, as well as praise for a job well attempted and done.

Tim’s Musical Education

Classes and private instruction from the MacPhail Center for the Performing Arts, University of MN.
With jazz instruction from Norm Calen at Vavro Music Studio, St. Paul, MN.

Completed Music Volumes and Course Work

  • Solo Guitar Playing
  • Sagreras Method
  • Methodo de Guitarra Flamenca
  • Hal Leonard
  • Mel Bay Method for Modern Guitar
  • Orchestral Guitar System
  • Johnny Smith Method
  • Ronny Lee Method
  • Howard Roberts
  • Frederick Noad
  • Julio S. Sagreras
  • Emilio Medena
  • Will Schmidt
  • Mel Bay
  • Mel Bay
  • Smith
  • Lee
  • Roberts
  • Classical Guitar, Vol. 1 and 2 of 2
  • Classical Guitar, Vol.1,2,3, and 6 of 6
  • Flamenco Guitar, Vol. 1 of 1
  • Popular Guitar, Vol. 1,2,3 of 3
  • Pop/Jazz Guitar, Vol. 1,2,3,4 of 7
  • Big Band Guitar, Vol. 1 of 1
  • Jazz Guitar, Vol. 1 and 2 of 2
  • Jazz Guitar, Vol. 1 and 2 of 2
  • Jazz Etudes, Vol. 1 of 1

Other Studies and Coursework

  • The Chord Solo (arranging song melody with chord progression for solo guitar).
  • Flamenco studies.
  • The Pentatonic scale: minor, major, mixolydian applied to rock/pop music.
  • Diatonic scales and modes.
  • Composition.
  • College level coursework: music theory, ear training, music history, concert band and choir.
  • Lessons in piano, string, percussion and wind instruments of the orchestra.
  • Ensemble experience, including percussionist with concert and marching bands; guitarist with jazz band; guitarist or bassist with pop and rock bands, guitarist with flamenco dance, and nightclubs.
A guitar pick with the name of a character.

Student Testimonial

“I have been a student of Tim’s for several years and in that time,Tim has taken my playing to new heights. I have learned how to play a Spanish nylon string guitar and am currently studying flamenco and Brazilian jazz, and could not be happier with the outcome. Tim’s knowledge runs deep and he is infinitely patient and kind. I have referred other students to him, all of whom have been very enthusiastic about their lessons. I am very excited for what will come next!”
Adam, Seattle, WA