Rick has been giving my daughter guitar lessons for about 4 months now. I have been playing guitar for over 38 years and did not have the time or the patience to teach my daughter. Yes I taught her a few of the basics. After a year of her bugging me for lessons I searched around. I talked to a couple of people and spoke with Rick. I audited the first lesson. He is very patient with my daughter and I have seen HUGE improvements in her playing. Her structure and knowledge of the guitar has grown by leaps and bounds. All I can speak for is how he is with a beginner as I have only seen him with a beginner. All I can say is 100% all the way! read more

The owner of the store post his operating hours, but he doesn't respect them. He might or he might not be there. Do not visit unless he/they answer the phone before you use up your gas to shop there. read more

I've always wanted to learn an instrument and recently decided to go down and buy a guitar and get scheduled up with lessons. Rick was advertised at the guitar center with free lessons with the purchase of the guitar. I'm a busy dad with a limited amount of time to practice. Rick is super-patient with me and very helpful with little tricks that make the guitar more fun. I'm getting the hang of the guitar after several months and look forward to my lesson each time. Rick knows a lot of history which adds color to what I'm trying to learn. He can play any song I bring in and teach me how to play it. I'd highly recommend Rick to a beginner like me. Rick is great and the space where we practice is really nice. read more

Rick has been teaching my teenager for 8 months. His ability to explain chords, musical mood, theory, playing techniques, timing, chord relationships, etc. is genius. Rick keeps his students interested because they can choose songs they want to learn and he adapts them to make the music "teachable". I love that his lessons are 1 hour long (not the average 30 minutes that most teachers do). Lessons are never rushed. My daughter's desire to take guitar lessons is always boltered after an hour with Rick. His passion for guitar is transending.....he really is great. I feel fortunate that we "found" him! read more

Rick is an amazing teacher. First he gets to know you so that he can find the best way to tech you. Next he teaches you about the guitar so you understand how to take care of it. Then he teaches you about music and the relationships along the fret board. Next he moves into chords and songs. He encourages you to bring in music you would like to play. Rick can take any song and after hearing it once can play the song and teach it to you. Rick has a very deep understanding of music including the emotions the artist is trying to convey. Rick knows alot about artists, history, and motif's. Rick always challenges you, but doesn't overwhelm you. I am a very musically challenged person. I have no rhythm and have never played a note of any kind in my life. Rick has me playing Clapton songs and I am beginning to have some rhythm. I know you cannot find a better guitar teacher in the bay area. He flexible lesson times and easy to get to. read more

Taking lessons from Rick is the best thing I have done for myself in years! I would give him 6 stars. A little background: I am 37 years old and had never picked up a guitar before 6 weeks ago. If you really want to learn guitar, this is your guy! Rick is musically brilliant, and an excellent teacher. He is not teaching from a book; he customizes a lesson to what you understand, what music you like, and what specifically you want to play. A lesson typically starts with us talking; me asking him some questions about what I am having trouble with in my practice, him asking me questions to gauge what I remember or comprehend. Then he will find a song that is an example of something new, or some things I am somewhat familiar with but not entirely clear on. Every lesson I go away with several challenges: a new rhythm, new chords, arpeggio part... every lesson some of the challenges are something I can learn in a day or two, and others take a week or more, so I always feel like I am progressing. I can always call, text, or e-mail with questions if I am really stuck. I cannot believe how much I have learned. I greatly look forward to my lesson every week. read more