I've been working with DREW for the past six months and have learned more in that time than I have the past 40 years. Part of that has to do with having the bandwidth to practice consistently - a little bit every day. More importantly, DREW's teaching style lines well with my learning style - he's extremely patient and communicates with precision and clarity; his instruction sheets (which I laminate and keep in a binder) are equally clear and helpful. I find all the lessons fit together in a way that continually reinforces the theory and techniques learned along the way. read more

Booking through the phone number was quick and easy. Drew is an incredible guitar teacher. Part of his focus was to push me to define my motivation, so he could focus on the things I really wanted to learn. He tailored the lesson to my beginning guitar level, but also encouraged me to discover things I didn't think I could accomplish. He doesn't give hollow praise or tell you you're awesome when you're not, which I appreciate, but he makes you feel secure and encouraged to try even if you make mistakes (Which is all part of the process!), and soon you're making progress faster than you originally thought you could! He clearly has lots of experience teaching guitar and is very knowledgable about music theory if you want to learn it. That said, he can put all theory and technical jargon aside if you want; he completely customizes your guitar lesson to your goals. The lessons never feel rushed and I can achieve higher levels of play without feeling stressed and I highly recommend him to be your guitar teacher! read more

Drew is an extremely capable, talented and very personable instructor. I've been working with him for 4 months (and counting). Having only just begun my guitar playing journey I was unsure of what to expect. Every lesson has been extremely helpful in getting my abilities up to speed quickly. I know this because when I revisit some of the riffs I was struggling (and I mean STRUGGLING) with before Drew they are immensely easier to play. Some of that is time spent practicing, and that practice is a direct reflection of the direction he provides and enthusiasm I feel after each lesson! I know playing guitar is a lifelong journey and I can say with complete honesty that I'm very glad to have Drew's help at this critical part of mine! read more

I have been in guitar lessons with Drew for around 6 months and I am a delighted student! Drew is patient, calm, flexible, and willing to tailor lessons to the needs of his pupils, at whatever level they are and whatever their goals with the instrument. I am continually impressed with the great ideas and methods that inform the techniques he teaches - he really knows how to share information in a way that is clear and understandable. He also knows what works best in helping me (and us all, I believe :) improve in the most direct way possible. Drew is also appreciative and knowledgable about a wide range of music styles, so I am sure students with any musical taste or preference can work with him to advance their skills with the songs and music they love the most. I am very happy to recommend Drew with real enthusiasm to guitar learners, and my own plan is to continue working (or playing, rather!) with him indefinitely. Thanks, Drew! read more

I'm a beginner player who took up the guitar in my 40s. I've been taking lessons from Drew for just over six months now, and it's been a very positive experience. I highly recommend Drew for any adult beginner looking to pick up the guitar. I was initially skeptical about taking guitar lessons remotely, but I've found no issue doing the lessons over Skype. Drew is very experienced and can quickly identify any issues just by looking at your hands. If you're interested in learning the guitar and would benefit from the structure of lessons, Drew should be your first stop. read more

Look no further because you've found the best guitar instructor in LA! I've been playing guitar for over 20 years and while I'm not a beginner, I do sign up for lessons with Drew whenever I need to fill the gaps in my knowledge. I really like Drew's teaching style. He's incredibly knowledgeable, but not condescending. He offers in-depth explanations that are easy to understand, but will tell you if he doesn't have an answer for your question. He's also punctual, and won't keep you waiting to start your lesson. I'll definitely be coming back for more lessons later! read more

I am so glad that I found Drew on Yelp!! I took up guitar during Covid and finally decided that I needed a teacher. Drew has been patient, kind, and able to quickly discern what is the best way to reach his students. He is a very thoughtful teacher and I have enjoyed all my lessons and practice. He is a great cheerleader and it's clear that he has mastered teaching guitar. You won't regret booking a lesson with Drew. read more

Drew was an excellent guitar tutor! I took a few acoustic guitar lessons during the summer of 2019, and I had so much fun that I decided to embark on a musical journey with my own guitar. However, soon after purchasing my own guitar, said guitar sat mostly unplayed for almost a year, collecting dust. When COVID-19 started popping off in 2020, I picked up my guitar again and recommitted myself to learning. I'd purchased online guitar lessons, and those were helpful, but I felt like one-on-one lessons would accelerate my improvement. After looking into a few different options, I settled on Lessons By Drew. Overall, I'm very pleased with his instruction. We reviewed palm muting, chord progressions, basic scales, bends, timing, pull-offs, and more. He taught me to focus on my left hand instead of right hand (my strumming hand), and to SLOW DOWN (it's far better to play something slowly and correctly than quickly and incorrectly). He also provided helpful PDFs that I can always refer back to when practicing on my own. What I appreciated most was Drew's wisdom and encouragement. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, which has made the guitar-learning process especially frustrating and challenging. Each time I played the wrong note, my instinct was to cringe/stop playing/feel embarrassed. However, Drew continuously reminded me that I'll have to lean into the discomfort and recognize that I'm going to mess up A LOT. Getting better requires patience and persistence. And you've not only got to trust the process, but also INVEST (time/energy) in the process through practice and repetition. Now I can say that I'm a "begintermediate" player, and I owe that partially to Drew. He was professional, honest, and supportive. I look forward to a future of improvement through consistent practice. Thanks for your instruction, Drew! Note: You'll be in the driver's seat! It's up to you practice between lessons and communicate what you want to spend time on during your lessons if you want to stay on track. read more

Before I started my journey of learning acoustic guitar, I knew nothing about it. I just knew I wanted to learn how to play it and wanted to be able to strum a song or two. Drew asked me to list 10 songs I would like to learn how to play. So of course, I went on YouTube and watched "best 30 songs to play on an acoustic" and decided my songs from there. The first 5 - 6 months, we had a weekly lesson. He peppered in the lesson with the basics as well as encouraged me to start playing one of the songs I wanted to learn. He keeps the lessons fun and entertaining. The work you put in is the result you get. Drew is the guide to your goal. Once the lesson frequency changed to bi-weekly, I became painfully aware how much I have or haven't practiced within those 2 weeks (100% my fault). Now it has been a little over a year, I can play 3 songs (2 full songs and 2 half songs...) I may not become the next Brian May, but I am extremely happy with the progress I have made with Drew's guidance. Drew is an excellent guitar teacher and I highly recommend him. read more

Drew is a fantastic teacher with a lot to offer guitarists at any level. In my case (a self-taught intermediate player) I went to Drew looking for incremental advise on how to improve technically (e.g., better picking, strumming, better quality sounds). He covered all that; but, Drew also suggested other areas I should be investing my practice time in given my level. Drew guided me through a way of thinking about the fretboard which in just a few weeks made a step-function improvement in my ability to play chord progressions anywhere on the neck and has ultimately led to my acquiring the ability to create my own chord progressions and write my own songs. Both of which were something that I never thought I'd really take up as part of my playing. These are really great results in just a couple months working with Drew. I highly recommend him to others looking to make progress and/or just deepen their enjoyment of playing guitar. read more

Drew is attentive and passionate about music and this clearly translates into his teaching style. He caters each lesson toward my goals and remains available throughout the week as questions inevitably come up. I highly recommend Drew for beginners just starting out their journey in guitar as well as advanced players looking to hone their craft or delve deeper into theory and technique. read more

I was like you a few months ago....Drew-less, looking for a guitar teacher. I decided to give him a shot and I feel very fortunate to have done so. I have been tinkering on and off for years without ever really improving, but thanks to Drew, in only a short time I am making a lot of progress on things that I have struggled with since I first picked up a guitar. I think that Drew employs a 'work smarter, not harder' approach to guitar that really helps you get focused and get the most out of your practice and lesson time (shortcuts to a better you haha). His rate is reasonable, customizes your lessons according to how you want to develop your playing and he is easy-going and does not shake his finger at you like some schoolmarm if you don't get a chance to practice. Available over skype, etc., it couldn't be more convenient. Your search is over, you have found your guy. Also, I don't write a lot of reviews, but I felt compelled to write this one because I think he is a really great teacher and guy. Happy Playing! read more

I've had a few guitar teachers in the past growing up and I will say Drew is definitely the best out there. From the beginning, he was open about his teaching style and what he expects from his students. He is open to adapting to your learning style and the type of music you'd like to learn without judgement. I learned more from 2 lessons with Drew than I did 3 months with my previous guitar teachers. He definitely knows how to teach and point out your mistakes while giving you advice on how to fix them. If you have a specific song you really want to learn how to play, Drew is the man to teach you. Highly recommend, no regrets. read more

Drew is a genuine human being above all. He knows his methods as a teacher are tried and true. What he teaches works for the level of guitarist that your are and he knows it from experience He has no interested in blowing smoke up your ass and telling you you're doing great when you're not, which I appreciate. Your goals as a guitarist are what he dedicates his energy to as a teacher. I feel secure enough to make mistakes knowing we're going in the direction of progress that I envision for myself as a learner! Peace read more

How do you expect to improve unless you have the best possible teacher? I've had several lessons with Drew, and in this short time, he's helped me fill in a lot of music theory that I was missing in order to write songs. (I used to feel so lost trying to write without knowing the common patterns everyone used.) I was sort of self taught and Drew helped me fine tune my skills, and break some old and not ideal habits as well. Even just alternate picking alone has upped my game considerably. I may not know what I want to focus on in any given month, but whatever I decide, Drew is there with me all the way, making sure I'm doing my best learning for whatever I'm interested in. Do not hesitate to try Drew out. What's the worst that could happen? Or to frame it another way, what's the best that could happen? read more

Kind , friendly , professional. Drew will first ask you to show him what you know so far on your guitar and then he will know exactly what to teach you! After each class he writes notes and sends them to you via email so you can practice exactly on the things he taught you. Hehe writing a review is new to me but I guess I'm just very satisfied :) Thanks man ! read more

As a complete beginner (as in...had not picked up a guitar other than to pose for picture at the Grand Ole Opry), Drew has made learning the guitar a great pleasure that does not felt like a chore, moves at a pace that my skill-set allows, he emphasizes exercises and enjoyment of playing for longevity as opposed to cramming and burning out, and tailors instruction catering to my learning style. Remote lessons via Skype have not hindered effectiveness or enjoyment of instructions. Drew provides a great combination of practical skill development combined with theory-based instruction that rounds out greater understanding of guitar play. I definitely recommend Drew for those just starting to explore the guitar, and based on my experience so far, for those looking to take any existing skill to the next level! read more

Learning guitar was hard and intimidating for me. I got my guitar a few years back then, taught myself some basics and got discouraged very quickly. It was until earlier this year I finally decided to take proper guitar lessons and I'm very glad that I found Drew. I come from an asian background where learning instrument can be very stressful. The whole learning experience is totally different with Drew. His easy-going personality, as well as his way of teaching make every single class helpful and enjoyable. Only a couple of lessons I'm already finding myself playing things that I used to think was impossible. Every class I'll go home with a clear idea of what I should be practicing, and the specific goals for the week, he surely has a way of keeping me motivated! Whenever I struggle on materials that are more challenging, Drew is always here to help. He is patient and encouraging, and is able to quickly suggest ways to improve my playing without being offensive. I'm also a very shy person but Drew is slowly helping me to build my confidence. Overall Drew is a great and very knowledgeable teacher, I have learned a lot from him and am happy with my progress. Would definitely recommend for not only people who are starting out but also guitar players at all levels! read more

Drew is great. I've been taking lessons with him for about a year, which is a testament to his ability to keep me motivated. I came to Drew as a beginner, with a tendency to mess around with the guitar for a bit and then put it down for long stretches of time, and I like that that's a key focus of his instruction: to push me to find my motivation, to make sure that I'm learning what I want, knowing that the key to sticking with the instrument is my own internal desire to learn. The lessons, themselves, are simple and understandable, but also geared towards pushing me to learn what I might otherwise think I can't -- I tend to get discouraged about my progress, focused on the fact that I'm not already an expert, and Drew is great at managing my delusion and encouraging me to keep working, to understand that I need to relax and just continue to put in the time. Looking forward to continuing to improve! read more

To echo the abundance of outstanding reviews, I too have been fortunate enough to find a guitar instructor as talented and passionate as Drew. Being a total newbie at guitar, it was important to me to find someone that was chill and really loved teaching. Drew is both of those things and more. He is intuitive enough to know how much to challenge you with, and immediately key in on the areas where you can improve. He is also great at celebrating any successes you achieve, and keeping you from being discouraged. Give Drew a shot on your musical journey. read more

Drew is an absolutely amazing guitar teacher. If I could give him more than 5 stars I would. Before I found Drew, I was teaching myself how to play guitar for six months. And honestly I had learned more from him in my first two lessons than I did in those first six months. Drew is very detail oriented, so he was able to catch all of my bad habits, both obvious and subtle, right away. Quickly he helped me fix them. He has a plethora of things to teach you at the ready, so there is always something new for him to teach you. He usually has specific topics to teach you for a lesson, however, he's flexible with that. If you find that something he's going to teach you doesn't interest you, he is more than happy to focus on something that you find interesting. Drew's main concern, is his students' development. If you feel that you are not getting the most out of your lessons, he is open to feedback, and will adapt his teaching style based on that feedback. Overall, Drew is awesome, I could not have asked for a better teacher. So do not hesitate to try him out. read more

For an instrument that has a high level of difficulty Drew makes the barrier to learning guitar low, accessible and fun. He provides a great framework for the lessons and practice but neither are ever rigid. His main goal is to get you to enjoy the guitar and the process of learning so it becomes a lifelong pursuit. I picked up more from him in 2 lessons than I did in a few months of learning on my own. I can't recommend him highly enough. Especially if you want to be better than an average guitar player. I'd also note that since we've had to "shelter in place" I've been doing Skype lessons with him and they are just as effective as in person learning. Enough from me - go sign up and start shredding! read more

This is the person you want teaching you how to play guitar!!!!! There are many reasons why I say this. I'll mention a few. To start with, he is very knowledgable in music. He teaches you at your pace and desire to learn. So you feel more relaxed and interested in the learning progress. For example: You want to learn something else from what he has planned? Just ask him. You want to go back and work on something you don't feel right about? Let him know. Got a question about some stupid modes you can't get the grasp of? Text him! He's CHILL like that! I've taken a few lessons with Drew and have learned a lot more than what I expected. The ruckus I used to make, now sounds like chill progressions that won't make your ears bleed. The single notes i'd tap here and there, are now scales that a snake wish it had. Learning has been really easy and fun. Every lesson I take only encourages me to learn more. If you want to learn some guitar, try him out. The price is right anyway. Better than others I've found around K-town. read more

I started lessons from Drew about a year and three months ago, and in the short amount of time I've gone from being musically challenged to an aspiring guitarist! Drew is a very chill guy with a great teaching style who's very passionate about what he does. He works with me when he plans my lesson. He is always prepared and always have material for me to work on during the lesson and on my own. He makes it very clear that he wants me to work on the things I want to accomplish so that I can enjoy the guitar. He sees my potential even when I am frustrated, and pushes me through without being offensive. In my first lesson, he started me off with simple chords and rhythm, and by the very next lesson I was able to start working on a song that I love. He preaches that I need to practice on my own if I want to get better. At first I didn't listen, and it was like throwing money away. But after putting in the effort to practice on my own, I actually got better and Drew was able to go further and showed me techniques to go beyond what's written on the music sheets. Bottom line: If you are serious about learning guitar and willing to put in the time and effort, Drew is the guy to get you there. read more

I hired Drew to give guitar lessons to my nephew, since he was willing to travel. I come from a musical family and we wanted to make sure Chris (nephew, age 10) got started early, and he has been interested in guitar for a while. So far so good! He's had a few lessons, and it's so satisfying to see him start to mature as a budding musician. Drew is organized; he came in with a lesson plan that includes technical instruction, song learning, and building chord vocabulary. Chris already bugged his parents to buy him a guitar chord book too! I suppose that means that he is learning tablature as well during their lessons. If you're in the LA area, give Drew a call. He's easy to work with and seems to really care about his student's progression. read more

In just a few lessons, Drew gave me so many tips and strategies to improve my guitar playing. He made it clear, simple and broke everything down to make it easy to understand. He was always organized and systematic, which made it easy to see progress. Highly recommend. read more

To start, Drew is an awesome teacher! He's funny, knowledgeable, and passionate about his music. That shows in the way that he teaches and his efforts to make sure that he understands his students need. The lessons are always catered to your your skill level and what your ultimate goals are. They are never too rigid so that if you don't like a certain thing, Drew will take that and tweak things around so that the hour that you have with him is the most productive hour you'll ever have! The lessons are informative, fun, well-prepared and what I feel is most important between a teacher and student, comfortable. No matter what your level, Drew is an amazing instructor that can help you reach whatever musical goals you've set for yourself! read more

I've been taking guitar lessons with Drew for about 6 months now. Drew is super patient and totally knows his stuff, he's a dedicated player and I think he studied composition in school so he has theory down. Not to say that he can't also help you learn the basics, he totally can teach those, and the right way at that, so you don't develop any bad habits. Also, if you happen to be into J-rock Drew is totally the guy because he loves J-rock and loves teaching people the sort of techniques that are common in the style. read more

Drew is an amazing teacher and I cannot recommend him enough. He is very down-to-earth, intelligent, and focused on helping his students learn. He is also extremely astute and I'm always impressed by the level of discernment in his feedback. I've found myself improving in ways I've never considered. If you want a thoughtful, simple yet effective approach to learning guitar, Drew is your guy. read more

It was EXACTLY what I'd hoped for. And my situation was a fairly high-pressured one. My old band was getting back together for a reunion show. We had two songs to do and I had to get myself up to speed on both - and it was only two days before the show! I sent Drew the songs before I showed up, he had them completely figured out before we sat down. He assessed what I had down and what I didn't, then on the fly, tailored a lesson specifically to my needs and we got to work. He was focused, easy-natured and intuitive. As both rhythm guitarist and vocalist, we worked on both the song structure, but also the nuanced elements of playing and singing - my cues, the rhythms and even some playing shortcuts that allowed me to focus on the vocal parts, etc. It was a jam-packed and professional lesson and it 100% prepared me for the show - which rocked. :) Highly highly recommend Drew. He's the real deal and complete pro. I'll be back. read more

I highly recommend Drew, he's an excellent guitar teacher. He's very detail-oriented and clear in his teaching, and I feel he really cares about my development as a guitar player. I appreciate that he gives advice on practicing and the best way to go about learning new skills, which I've found very helpful. Also, he's developed great handouts that he provides as part of the lessons and is ready and willing to answer questions about music theory, songwriting, guitar technique as well as other aspects of music. I also appreciate that he's able to strike a balance between having high standards while at the same time keeping the lessons relaxed. Overall, I have only good things to say, don't hesitate to work with him!!! read more

Drew really understands the heart of playing guitar and what it means to people, in whatever capacity. If you ever start to forget that, or hit a block, I'm sure he can get you right back in one session. I can imagine how he would inspire a beginner as well. With a fine-tuned assessment of your skills he hones in on exactly what you can improve on according to your goals, and supplements with all the tools to get you there. I left feeling completely ready and excited to take on a new learning journey with guitar. Thanks Drew! read more

New to guitar I was considering group lessons until I read the reviews for Drew - his one-on-one attention has been so beneficial! It's clear to me he tailors all his lessons to meet the individual strengths and weaknesses of his students, he listens and guides instead of dictating, always flexible and consistently reassessing my progress - it was plainly the right choice for me, now I look forward to every lesson! read more

I took guitar lessons as a kid and as life got busier, I forgot about guitar and the joys of being able to play music, that is until I met Drew. I dusted off a guitar that I bought off a friend and began my musical journey with him. Drew was very understanding and always made the lesson feel like you were having a jam session with a friend. He always had a positive attitude and made you look forward to getting home to practicing everything you learned in class. As a guitar teacher, you cannot find one better, I highly recommend him. read more

If you're looking into learning guitar or getting back into it, and want a patient, knowledgeable, fun, and afforadable teacher, then Drew is the man. After many years of not taking lessons, let alone practicing, Drew has helped me to get back into the swing of things in a fun way. His approach keeps you motivated and he knows how to teach in a way that is most effective for each individual student. I highly recommend him if you are in the market for a guitar teacher. On top of everything else he is a good guy with a great attiude and very easy going. All in all, Drew makes learning the guitar fun, and that's really what it's all about. Give him a try, you won't be disappointed. read more

Drew is the best teacher I've had the pleasure of taking lessons from. I'm in my 30's and since I was 15, I've had a few teachers. Drew is the first teacher I've had who can pinpoint exactly what I'm trying to improve. He has led me through so many musical growth spurts and I look forward to my future of musical outlets. If you are a beginner or the most intellectual guitarist, I'm telling you, Drew is the man who can help you find what and where you want to go with your knowledge of playing. I am so deeply happy to have found him, and I hope you do too. read more

I came to Drew lacking any formal guitar experience, armed only with youtube tutorials and about a year of self teaching. Drew was able identify areas of improvement within the first lesson and surprised me with the breadth of his guitar knowledge ranging from the over arching theory to the nitty-gritty details of hand positioning and fingering. In just a few weeks of lessons, I was able to strengthen my foundations greatly, and have enough exercises and identify clear paths to improvement that will occupy me for years to come. read more

Wanna take your guitar skills to the next level or wanna start playing guitar? Drew is definitely the guy you wanna go with. He is always prepared and creates a lesson exactly for you based on whatever you want to learn. He helps you in the most efficient way to reach the goals you have without going too fast and teaching too much stuff at once. There's never pressure and it's always fun seeing him. He really knows what he's doing. Drew is an incredible instructor, all around nice guy and very skilled. You can always ask, text or email and he will answer everything and explain it in a way that everyone understands it. He loves what he's doing and he's happy helping you to improve your playing. Best Teacher in Town so don't hesitate and don't waste your time any longer. read more

Drew is a fantastic and thorough guitar teacher. He worked at my own pace while still pushing me each week to advance my skills. He also made me aware of some small mistakes I was making that I would have never noticed myself or with online lessons. If you are serious about learning the guitar and are looking for a professional and knowledgable teacher, I would definitely recommend Drew! read more

Drew is a fantastic teacher. He will take the time to work with you to improve your technique and learn the stuff that matters most to you. He makes it fun, and has a huge toolbox of handouts and practice materials to pull from. I'm getting so much out of these lessons and I leave feeling excited to work on playing. Couldn't recommend him enough. read more