I've been taking guitar lessons for over a year now. I previously learned but took a break and wanted to get back into playing. In the time that I've studied with Roark, my rhythm playing has improved and he's taught me how to play lead guitar on some songs. I do struggle with playing, but Roark is super cool and patient. Even though I might struggle in a lesson, I ALWAYS leave feeling positive about my lesson and like I improved! He goes out of his way to get you to play the songs you want to learn and he'll make suggestions as well. I definitely recommend Roark as a guitar instructor! read more

My son really loves lessons with Roark! He goes weekly. Roark knows all of the songs!

Back in high school we were each handed an instrument and told to make a sound. I got the guitar, strummed a dissonant noise, everybody laughed and the teacher said, "Music clearly isn't for you." A scant 25 years later I dared try again, and Roark is the man who made it happen. I'm not naturally gifted, but Roark is endlessly patient and generous of spirit. My lessons have quickly become my favorite part of the week, and I'm happy to say that I'm getting better. If you've ever thought about learning to play guitar and you're looking for a kind, mellow teacher with a great ear and a dedication to nuance, Roark is your man! UPDATE: Now over nine years in, I still love working with Roark! He's still awesome, and now that I nudged him to teach me some music theory, my enjoyment of making music has multiplied. We also jam together more, which is a godsend in these times of isolation. On a practical note, I take a short video of Roark at the end of each week's lesson, so I can review at home. read more

I began taking guitar lessons during the COVID pandemic to fulfill a bucket wish list item and to keep myself sane during the lock down. I found Roark through Yelp reviews. At first, we conducted our lessons over zoom, but as the pandemic waned, we switched to in person lessons, which I prefer. He is kind and patient and takes the time to ensure a total novice understands and appreciates the guitar. He doesn't berate you when you fail to practice, and praises you when you do. He can teach to all levels of musicianship, from erstwhile beginner, to those who read music and already play guitar but want to improve. He takes the time to discover the type of music you enjoy and selects songs that match your interest. He doesn't push you too hard, but makes sure you challenge yourself to try new songs and techniques. I have been very happy with my progress and I enjoy our lessons. read more

Great knowledgeable teacher in all styles, all eras. Practical lessons designed to get you where you want to be on the guitar. Call Roark! read more

It's been some years, but Roark was by far the best guitar teacher I ever had. I started off with Roark as slightly more than a beginner, and I progressed to learning leads by Randy Rhoades, Mick Taylor, Robby Krieger, etc. I learned finger picking as well as the pick. Five stars! read more

Roark's a great piano teacher, and a ton of fun -- it's clear that he loves playing music, and he wants you to love it too. I suppose you might be able to get a strict classical approach from him if you asked nicely (I haven't tried!) but I think that he really shines when he's teaching rock, pop, and jazz. He wants you to get right into playing songs that you love, and he's enthusiastic about learning to play by ear. If you want to get an intuitive feel for music theory/how songs work because you're interested in improvisation and arrangement, he'd be a great match. He's patient, kind, and extremely flexible, so I'd encourage you to not be shy about stopping him and asking him questions if there's something in particular that you want to learn. Roark has a great remote setup over Zoom where you can see each other's instruments, and he makes good use of a digital whiteboard and arrangement/sheet music software. read more

Roark is not only a teacher of music but a historian of music and the people that made it happen. You are able to relate the music you are learning. He is flexible in methods and you actually learn songs you love while learning to play. He's a good a good guy. read more

TL:DR Roark is truly an amazing teacher and you should definitely book a lessons asap. I've tried to learn guitar before but it seemed way too hard and unapproachable. Now, Roark's guitar lessons are honestly the highlight of my week. His lessons are fun, challenging (in a good way), and super flexible in regards to guitar goals or changing the lesson time. Some teachers just want to "flex" their guitar skills and really just want to play, not teach. Although he is a fantastic player, Roark actually cares if you learn or not. He's extremely patient (he perseveres even as I play the wrong notes), gives helpful tips and tricks to make guitar easier to play, and is really encouraging. Payment: Most places is at least $60 or above for not even a full hour (not worth it, especially since Roark is experienced and highly trained/skilled). He charges $40 a lesson, paid in sets of 4 ($160 total); and that's a steal. Location: You go to a residential area for lessons and his house isn't in a sketchy neighborhood. Do not worry, you won't be mugged or kidnapped. His house doesn't have any weird fragrances or disturbing items either. You sit in a chair across from/facing him with a computer/amp/pedal set up on your left. He has a foot stool if it's more comfortable for you to play the guitar. Bonus: He can listen to any song you want to learn and can literally (no exaggeration) teach you how to play instantly. He even formally notates the song (TAB) and can print it out or email it to you. Plus, you record him playing the section you're learning so you can reference it throughout the week. He can also provide a guitar during lessons but its better to bring yours (you are going to be practicing at home with your guitar, right?). Out of all the decisions I have made in the past year, getting guitar lessons from Roark is the best thing I've done. Stop reading this review and book your lesson now! read more

My girlfriend did some research before deciding to get me guitar lessons with Roark as a Christmas present. It's been nearly a year now and I still go to the lessons. My playing has improved greatly. He is patient, takes the time to help you understand what to do and helps you become a better guitar player. If you are searching for a teacher, I'd highly recommend him. Thomas read more

I wanted to get back into piano after a 20 year break, and Roark has been a fantastic guide! (Yes, piano, not guitar.) When I played earlier on, my lessons were always about performance and "playing everything printed in black on the page," without ever getting into how to improvise. When Roark asked me what I wanted to learn, I very specifically said I wanted to understand how to play accompaniment from just a lead sheet. And Roark totally delivered. Our usual flow was that Roark would ask me for a song title, find a lead sheet, and then clearly spend quite a bit of time preparing for the lesson by figuring out how he would arrange that song for piano. During the lesson, he would talk me through his arrangement and he would demonstrate, then have me try out, the different ideas he had for different parts of the song. He'd also talk through the music theory bits, with why different chord substitutions or modifications would give different color or styles, or tie the music back to baroque or classical or impressionist or jazz or blues based on those choices. That is, Roark is very knowledgeable and thoughtful, and clearly enjoys thinking through this stuff, while also loving the playing of music itself. It's all (to me) pretty mind blowing and fascinating and I'm left with a lot to think about and noodle around with after every lesson. And I haven't even met him in person--all our lessons have been over Zoom, with our web cams hanging down over keyboards. read more

I've been taking lessons from Roark for a little under a year now, and he's a great teacher. I've been doing the lessons exclusively by Zoom, and it actually works out quite well. Most of the time, he demonstrates a technique or explains it, and then asks you to play, so any lag in the connection is not an issue. I would characterize myself as an intermediate player. I played for a few years previously, but then did not pick up the guitar under the pandemic. He's got a long list of music that he can recommend to go with either your musical tastes, or based on techniques he wants you to learn. But if you've got something you like, you can also let him know, and he will learn it first and then teach it to you. In short, I highly recommend him if you're looking for guitar lessons. read more

My teen son looks very forward each week to his guitar lesson. Roark is helpful selecting music my son will enjoy. Roark makes guitar learning fun, and encourages my son each week. Roark connects with all ages and really loves what he does. I recommend Roark to all ages. I am thankful we found Roark. read more

Roark does a great job of tailoring his lessons to your musical interests and skills. He works well with absolute beginners as well as experienced players. He can take any song and make an arrangement that you can play. While he doesn't dwell on music theory, he is well-versed and you can learn as much theory as you want, or simply play. He is flexibile on scheduling and can almost always find a convenient time for lessons. Highly recommended. read more

Gotta say I love playing with this guy! I'm an intermediate guitar player and what is so terrificate is he'll take you where YOU want to go...he doesn't have an agenda except for your enjoyment and growth.... l Started taking lessons from him about 2 years ago now....and he is so knowledgeable about all aspects of music it's a pleasure just spending a musical hour with him. We figured out the Zoom experience and that helped me get through the last year with music and fun! I highly recommend Roarke no matter what level you're at or what instrument you play....He is great! read more

I've been taking lessons with Roark for a couple years. I found him on Yelp by reading these reviews. His patience was noted in almost every single one and it was a quality I knew I would need from a guitar teacher. I came in knowing absolutely nothing about playing guitar. I received a brand new guitar in the mail - a surprise! - and I figured I should learn how to play it. I am not naturally gifted. I'm 61 years old and it is hard to learn new things. Roark is why I've stuck with it. He is so positive, so encouraging, and so PATIENT (the reviews were right). He is also interesting, quirky, and very knowledgeable about a wide range of subjects. I enjoy my time with Roark very much. And, best of all, I am learning stuff. read more

Roark is an outstanding instructor who makes learning the guitar fun and user friendly. He teaches you the music that you like which is a great way to learn. read more

You can stop your search now - You have found the perfect guitar instructor! Roark is simply AMAZING and I would highly recommend him for anyone who is even thinking about learning to play the guitar. I found Roark on yelp and had no personal recommendations for him, so going in I wasn't sure what to expect. I have zero experience with a guitar, I was as rookie as you can get. But once I met him and we got started on the lessons, it was the start of a wonderful and fulfilling journey for me. To begin with, I really appreciate that he took the time before we started our sessions to learn what would work best for me to as a student. You don't see that every day! He adapted his teaching technique to best suit my background (I have training in Indian classical music) and my speed. He is extremely encouraging and pushes you to believe that you can play the instrument even when you might doubt yourself. Sadly, I moved cities for my job, and had to discontinue else I would have stayed on with him for sure. When you meet Rorak, you will immediately see that he is a passionate musician and a devoted teacher who is not in this for the money. He is truly invested in the development of his students. All in all, it was a fantastic experience for me, five stars all the way!! He is FANTASTIC! read more

Roark has helped me learn so much while continuing to be patient with me as I learn guitar for the first time. Not knowing any instruments he's been so helpful and explained things until he knows I understand! Would definitely recommend!!! read more

Roark is an awesome teacher. He makes it fun to be a beginner, learning through actual music rather than endless exercises. As I've gotten better he's met me where I'm at, and is happy to answer my many questions in depth. Definitely recommend! read more

Seriously if you're serious about getting better at guitar Roark is about as good as it gets. I was trying to transcribe the menu music of Street Fighter 5 and he was very generous with his time including sending me a Guitar Pro version of his transcription which was more efficient as far as the playing of the song than what I had figured out. I call him the Senator of Rock based on the character named Roark in Sin City. Best teacher ever. Highly recommended. read more

Roark is a teacher's teacher. In my experience most guitar teachers are just in it so they can pay bills between gigs. In contrast, Roark is a REAL teacher. He is non-judgmental, encouraging and supportive of all levels and all age groups. Both my grandson and I really enjoy his lessons and his style. He is so knowledgeable about different kinds of music- everything from punk to folk. He is truly a gem. read more

I've been seeing Roark for a few years now and I am very happy with the progress I have made! He's a great guy and an excellent teacher. There are many avenues for guitar instruction now days but Roark is the real deal. I went from doors slamming all around the house when I picked up my guitar to people sit'n and listening now! :) read more

Roark is awesome great personality. If you are a person who would like to learn to play by ear this is your guy. That's how he starts you off. He is very flexible and can more around schedules if you can't make it in a curtain day. read more

I can't speak highly enough of Roark. When I first came to him, I had no experience and no idea where to start learning. He helped me to construct a corriculum based off of music I like to listen to and has taken the time to not only teach me the song, but also the theory behind it. My progression is exceeding my own expectations and I owe it to Roark. read more

I went to Roark Hunnicutt based on the previous review. The lessons are individualized and you learn the music/songs you want to play and it's not based on a set lesson plan. Roark's a great teacher and I recommend him to any body interested in learning to play the guitar, no matter what level! read more

I used to take classes with Roark two years back. I never knew that he was on Yelp. I had to stop going to his classes because of my travel and also i moved to a new place. He gives you two most valuable things that none of my previous guitar tutors gave me: Confidence and a very friendly environment to learn. He is very flexible and is not after your money. An ardent musician and a very gentle person, he puts his heart in teaching music and is very open to discussions and suggestions. read more

I've since moved up to SF, but sitting here playing my guitar thinking how glad I am to have taken instructions from Roark. Before seeing Roark, I had tried to teach myself with Youtube and guitar books, but didn't get very far. Roark starts from DAY ONE teaching you a real song (I learned Good Riddance by Green Day)! That's right, no waiting for months learning chords and music theory until you are "allowed" to play a real song - he gets how to keep the student engaged. I took lessons with Roark for about a year and can't believe how much I learned in that time - true credit to an amazing instructor. Cheers Roark - keep being amazing! read more

Roark has been teaching my son guitar for some time - he is knowledgeable, patient and an excellent teacher. He does more than just teach notes and chords and really gets his students involved in the music and how it is written and constructed. My son really enjoys going and gets a lot out of it - and he's become quite a good guitar player in the process! read more

Roark is more then a passionate and caring guitar instructor. Roark is a walking history of music. I found Roark after 8 months with another instructor that didn't go anywhere.. After 5 lessons with Roark I have learned multiple guitar strums and 3 songs. Roark believes the best way to achieve your goal in guitar playing is to learn a song. If you are passionate in learning the guitar properly I highly recommend Roark. :-) read more

Roark's guitar instruction is fun and interactive. We are very pleased that he is available. He is easy to work with and accommodating​ to your schedule. The kids absolutely enjoy every minute learning from him. I often refer to Roark as a human music encyclopedia, a very knowledgeable instructor and musician. read more

I took my 8 year old son to learn to play the guitar. Roark was very patient, encouraging and allowed my son to pursue his interests. My son greatly enjoyed his lessons, and while we didn't continue for other reasons, I was very impressed with Roark as a teacher. read more

My teenage son has been taking guitar lessons for about a year. We can't recommend Roark highly enough. He tailors his lessons to what the student is interested in, makes it fun, and is incredibly patient and encouraging. Beyond being a great teacher, he also helped us find the best reasonably priced guitar for my son. I am so thankful to have found him - you won't be disappointed with Roark as your guitar teacher! read more

After being with the same instructor for 6 years I felt I needed to make a change sure glad I did, only wish I did it sooner. Roark is a breath of fresh air I like playing again. I highly recommend Roark he's very supportive, knowledgeable and has a kind soul. I'm 57 so I've been around and know a good apple when I see one. Thanks Roark!!!! read more

I studied with Roark for a few years, and had to take a break because I was overwhelmed with work. I definitely hope things settle down so I can return to lessons. Roark is incredibly easy to work with, he's patient, affordable, and an all-around good guy. He will help you learn the songs you want to learn. With my time with Roark I learned about 30 songs. I'm still not where I would like to be as a guitar player, but that is all because of my time limitations in practice, not Roark's instruction. I owe him for the guitar skills I do have. I'm an older student and am so glad to have found him. read more

Roark is a terrific teacher- very flexible and willing to teach you what YOU want to learn! My daughter took lessons and really enjoyed them. He is great with kids- treats them like people instead of talking down to them. Great value, too. Highly recommend. read more

I'm so glad that I have found Roark! I'm still in the process of becoming a better player and working with him has been SO encouraging. I'm tackling songs that I never thought I could master, but with his clear instruction, patience and support I'm learning with ease. I think he is great for adults and kids and I'm so glad that I found him. If you're interested in learning how to play or how to become a better player set up a lesson, I think you'll be happy you did. read more

I'm very impressed with Roark's teaching method, which focuses lessons on the practical, short-term goal of playing your favorite song(s). I hadn't picked up a guitar in 30 years, and decided to give it a go again - I'm so glad I found Roark. In just a few weeks, he had broken a lot of my bad habits that had always kept me from making progress, and soon I found myself learning riffs much more ambitious than the list of simple songs I'd planned to attempt when I started. I think the key is that he takes the time to find out what keeps your interest and makes that a focus of the lessons. In my own experience, I'd often find that once I mastered a song on my list, I also came away with a better grasp of music theory. I can't recommend Roark highly enough! read more

Roark is fantastic! My daughter has dramatically improved her guitar-playing skills in the six months that she has studied under him. I particularly love Roark's dedication to each individual students' musical preferences and his follow up via email with practice plans after each lesson. Thank you Roark! read more

Just came back from my first lesson...what a treat! He really makes playing fun, in a way that no other teacher I've gone to has been able to. What I like is that you choose the songs you want to learn, and the theory, technique and advice comes out of that song. Also, he has such a good rate that I don't feel guilty for "splurging" on a lesson, and I can go every week. I'm already counting down the days until our next session. I'm so excited!!! read more