I have been enjoying lessons with Mike for over 15 years. We started with very basic guitar technique and then moved on to singing lessons when I joined a choir. I am now in the Melbourne Mass Gospel Choir. Such fun. I've even written a few songs of my own now and performed them in public and online. Going to Mike was life changing for me. read more

I've been taking piano lessons from Mike for about a year now, and highly recommend him! I took lessons when I was a kid, but (regrettably) gave it up when I got older. Picking it back up with Mike has been great because he's extremely patient, places huge emphasis on form and foundation, and is really easy to get along with. I'd recommend him to beginners looking to learn for the first time, or even more advanced players hoping to perfect their technique. read more

All my life wanted to learn the guitar. And all my life been as intimidated as hell of professional musicians. Mike is a patient, nurturing, effective teacher. He will build your confidence and work you hard, but at your own pace. I couldn't recommend him higher. Bless him, he doesn't even bat an eye when I ask him to teach me John Denver, Rick Springfield, even Broadway stuff. read more

I took piano lessons from Mike for almost a year and he is the best teacher I could've possibly asked for. Detailed, attentive, flexible, genuinely interested in helping you learn - not to mention a fantastic person and friend! Mike is casual and knowledgeable and the lessons are fun every single week. I took piano lessons as a child but didn't get very far and I wanted to try it again with more of a emphasis on theory, improvisation and writing. I found Mike on Yelp and from day one he listened to my goals/musical interests and tailored lessons exactly to what I was trying to learn. Everything was within a detailed framework that allowed me to be expressive while still developing essential knowledge and technique. There are a lot of talented piano players who have technical skill and talent, but it will be hard to find anyone who is ALSO as naturally gifted at teaching. Mike cuts through excess information and gets to the core of things. It felt like every lesson was personalized and even though he's done it a thousand times he makes it seem new. On top of everything else he provides awesome cultural and historical references that make the lessons feel all the more interesting and exciting. Look no further - if you're starting out or have experience it's the best you can find. read more

Mike is an amazing teacher and all-around great human being. I cannot recommend him highly enough. I was a complete beginner when I started guitar lessons with Mike last fall, and I am so happy with how much progress I've made. I can plunk out a decent number of songs now, and (more importantly) feel like I've got a really solid foundation of skills to build on. Mike doesn't even laugh at me when I want to learn angsty Indigo Girls or Natalie Imbruglia songs! Truly a gentleman and a scholar. The lessons are a combination of technical skill-building, music theory, and songs, and I really notice the progress every week. The homework and written instructions for practicing between lessons are super clear and organized, and so helpful for (those frequent occasions) when I've forgotten what I'm supposed to be doing. It's also awesome to pick Mike's brain about his incredible wealth of knowledge of music and music history. His enthusiasm is infectious, and being around someone who loves music so much helps motivate me on those nights when my fingers just don't want to make that G chord. He might even let you borrow some of his CDs, if you're nice. Mike is a patient, kind, and incredibly effective teacher, and also great company. My lessons are one of the high points of my week, and every week I come away feeling a little bit more confident and happy with my playing than I expected to. Learning to play music again has been such a gift, and I am so glad I found such a great teacher to get me started. read more

I think other reviewers have alluded to it but basically there are a lot of guitar teachers who are great guitarists and very bad teachers. Mike is a great guitarist and a great teacher. He is organized, reliable and friendly while at the same time just being an overall warm human being. He's particularly good at breaking things apart to isolate specific rhythms or melodies, and helping you get a handle on those parts so you can ultimately play a full song. Together we worked on rhythm drills, playing songs, some basic songwriting, and some music theory. Mike has a lot of range in his abilities and is able to take you where you're interested in going as a student. I would highly recommend. read more

Mike is a great guitarist, but far more importantly he's a great teacher. I'd been playing guitar for around 5-6 years before I met Mike and tried a few different teachers along my way. In general the theme is the same; I met great guitarists who I aspired to play like, but who just didn't provide the structure or vision that I needed to reach the same level as them. Mike blew them all away. In a few short months he's been able to show me the depth that's just waiting to be explored in the guitar, while helping me tackle it in an organized and effective way. He'll push you to get better, but he'll also let you set a pace you're comfortable with. Great guy all around, and an excellent guitar teacher. Highly recommend. read more

I've been taking guitar lessons from Michael for over 6 months now - very happy with it! He is an excellent teacher and provides great structure to the lessons. You can tell he was taught well and is passing on the knowledge. I played violin as a kid and wanted a similar structure and technical foundation to improve my guitar playing. Until I started taking lessons from Michael, I mostly learned guitar on my own and from friends. Michael's lessons have been huge in getting me further along in playing by giving me really helpful exercises, lessons in theory and listening. I've improved in a bunch of different areas. He also makes sure that I'm having fun while learning and prioritizes the style and skills I'm interested in. Excellent teacher, highly recommend! read more

Mike was a better teacher than I could have hoped for. He has a rare combination of making sure you learn what you want to learn, while being clear about what he has seen work. As others have said on this site, he is a good person and someone you will enjoy hanging out with. I never felt guilty when I couldn't practice as much as I wanted, but at the same time I did feel that Mike genuinely cared about my progress and wanted me to have the gift of music in my life. I got the sense from all the other students that they loved working with Mike as much as I did. read more

I've tried a couple music instructors and Michael Beach is definitely the best I've found. His insistence on keeping good notes is a great way to track your progress and remember what you've learned. Michael is a great musician and instructor who really understands what it means to learn music from the ground up. As he states himself, it wasn't something that came naturally to him but something that he really had to work at to learn broadly and deeply. And it's that approach to music that he brings to his lessons. Michael was able to break down any song I wanted to throw at him, while also being able to explain the underlying music theory, which is great for developing a more holistic view as you progress in music. Being a great teacher doesn't just mean having the material down cold, it also means being a great listener so you know what your students are interested in. This is what makes Michael's lessons great, as he can incorporate your goals into a lesson progression that is compelling in both the short and long term. Two thumbs up MB! read more

Mike is an absolutely wonderful guitar teacher. Not only does he have an incredibly good understanding of the guitar, and music in general, but he is able to communicate it in a way that non-musicians can easily understand. It was great that for everything I learned, Mike always made it clear why it was important to know, and how certain skills are used in song writing, etc. I had been playing the guitar for several years before I began weekly lessons with Mike. During one summer, I learned more than I had in five years of playing. Unfortunately, I am no longer in San Francisco, but my lessons with Mike gave me a really good foundation for continued improvement. If I am back in San Francisco again, I would definitely resume my lessons. I very very highly recommend Filmore Guitar to musicians of all levels, especially intermediate musicians (as I am) who want to take their playing to a higher level. read more

I have been taking guitar lessons from Mike for the past 4 months and it has been a blast. Mike is awesome and I want to highlight a few of the things that make him an exceptional teacher in the event that others discover him through Yelp as I did. Mike is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience. He has been a member of numerous bands and has toured extensively across the US and Australia. Even now Mike is actively writing new songs and performing at various venues in San Francisco and Oakland. It's cool to think that the person giving you instruction gets on stage and performs live when he isn't teaching. Mike is a true student of music. Not only does he possess vast knowledge about the technical mechanics of playing guitar, but he also is extremely well-versed in musical theory, songwriting, and the history of music. It is interesting to note that Mike learned to play guitar as an adult in college. Because of this, he is even better equipped to effectively teach his adult students who may walk into their first lesson with little to no prior musical experience. Another great thing about Mike is that he is both organized and flexible. When I first decided to take lessons I worried that my instructor and I would play random exercises for an hour each week and that my progress would be difficult to track. Upon meeting Mike I was pleasantly surprised to see that he keeps detailed notes for each student, organizes exercises into easy-to-digest weekly practice sheets, and follows up week after week to answer my questions and help me with areas that I find challenging. Also, while Mike has curated a very effective set of curriculum, he is open to letting students choose the ratio between exercises and song playing to ensure that everyone stays engaged and motivated. Although it should be evident by now, in addition to being a very talented musician and instructor Mike is a great person. He genuinely cares about his students and wants to see them learn, enjoy music, and achieve their goals. Despite his qualifications and abilities, Mike is the complete opposite of pretentious - he is down to earth, fun, personable, and patient. I can't recommend Mike highly enough. read more

I *love* my guitar lessons! I've had a guitar for years and despite accomplishments on other instruments, I wasn't getting any farther with my few chords, so I decided to hunt around for a teacher. After classes at SFCMC (fun!) and Blue Bear (eh), I found Mike. I cannot believe the amount of progress I have made in three months of lessons! During our first meeting, Mike explained how he could work with me to improve my guitar playing in a variety of different ways. We settled on starting with a series of different exercises and he took notes during the lesson that I could review at home. He also helped me set up a reasonable practice schedule and gave me endless advice on how to make it interesting. I immediately noticed a big difference in my playing as he pinpointed areas I could improve basic things, like my hand posture and finger positioning. As time has gone on, he's given me a huge variety of practice tools, shown me how to turn exercises into practical music-making, suggested films and live shows to enhance my understanding of guitar, and in all ways been an excellent, patient and motivating teacher. If you would really like to learn the guitar, I highly highly recommend lessons with Mike. Not only a great teacher and musician, but a incredibly nice person who really supports his students and their music. Check him out! read more

I took piano lessons as a child and abandoned when I went to college. As an adult now in my 30's, I wanted to rediscover music from a different angle. As a child, I was always taught theory and technique and played strictly classical music. As an adult, I wanted to learn how to play and make music. As indispensable as theory and technique are, I wanted to add creativity and fun to music and explore beyond the realms of just classical music. A Yelp search led to Mike and I couldn't have been happier with my lessons from him. His methods for teaching piano were structured, organized, and yet a lot of fun. Through his instruction, I was able to open that door for creativity and learned how to compose music not through just the piano but incorporate software programs and apps to make music as well. Mike was totally receptive to new ideas, patient, and helped me figure out what I needed improvement on and tips on how to become a more effective player. I would continue lessons with Mike were it not for my odd work schedule. If you're looking for an inspiring piano or guitar instructor, look no further. Mike is knowledgeable, accommodating, and overall great teacher! read more

Mike is a very patient teacher. He makes you feel at ease in your lessons. He is excellent at pinpointing areas of your playing that need improvement and tailoring exercises to those areas. He also makes sure that lessons are enjoyable. He loves music and loves to teach. Highly recommended! read more

Mike is an amazing musician, a great teacher and an all around wonderful guy. I started taking lessons from Mike when he was in Oakland and continue to do so thanks to the magic of the internet now. For someone who has played an instrument before, Mike's attention to detail and the basics helps you elevate your skill and game to a different level altogether. For someone who is a beginner, Mike's classes are the perfect mix of basic technique training, music theory and 100% fun - because face it, if it wasn't fun, we wouldn't be playing. His range and versatility is incredible - we've gone from playing traditional blues and jazz based music to ripping through metal in our lessons and his attention to detail and technique has helped my playing all those types of music equally. If you really want to learn how to play the guitar, the bass or the piano or even sing, Mike's probably the best in town. Seriously, meet the guy. You won't get a better teacher. read more

In a single word, Michael is 'awesome'. He is a master at his craft, and patiently guides you through each lesson. He insists on keeping everything fun, and that makes a huge difference. At the end of every lesson, we'd make incremental progress on songs that you pick, which keeps you engaged throughout the rest of the week while you practice. Highly recommend. read more

Hands down, Mike is the best music teacher! I have been fortunate to be able to take lessons from Mike on and off since 2012. Both in person and through Skype. His knowledge of music, the guitar and people is amazing. I've had lessons from other teachers in the past and it just never clicked. With Mike it clicks. His way of teaching makes it easy to understand what I'm doing right and what I'm doing wrong. "Slow down, count out loud, tap your foot" he says . You will see it in your playing if you practice what he says. He always has a path to the lessons and how he thinks different exercises and songs will improve your playing. There is a reason for what he says and does which you will find out as you see yourself improve. Other guitar teachers I felt like they didn't have a direction for me. I have learned so many great songs (acoustic and electric) in all different genres. I look forward to every week because its fun and Mike is a great human being and a Rock Star. read more

I won't be able to continue my music lessons with Mike because of some other commitments but hope to get him back as a teacher in the future once my hectic schedule subsides. He's resourceful, available, and genuinely caring about your musical aspirations. I still look forward to the remaining lessons I have with him. I owe my improvements on the guitar to this guy. He's great. read more

Mike Beach is as good as it gets. Learning how to play guitar was something I wanted to do for a long time. Many of my friends play, and play in bands. However, I was a total noob with a decade old acoustic Washburn I barely touched. Mike started me off with the basics to build a foundation: how to count, major chords, rhythm, strumming, and so on. And off we went. Mike is always patient but encourages me to stretch myself, setting goals and practice schedules, and knowing when to be supportive when I became frustrated early on. Weekly drills and new songs were part of the lessons to keep it fresh, entertaining and challenging. You can pick the songs you want to learn (Mike can tee up just about anything for your level of play) from classic rock, grunge, pop and even obscure 80's. And, while I started with acoustic, 18 months later I also have a Fender Strat and Tele. I can play a bunch of songs and my ear is getting better to figure out songs as well. My schedule over the last six months has made it really hard for me to keep lessons going; however, I hope to be able to start-up again soon. What's great is that will all the foundation Mike put in place I've been able to keep a moderate practice schedule going and just keep playing. I had fun and I really learned something. And, I have Mike to thank. Mike is an excellent guitar teacher (and an accomplished musician - see him live if you get the chance) and a really, really great guy too. If you want to learn guitar, I highly recommend him. read more

My son has taken piano lessons from Mike for the past year -- and it's been a fantastic experience. Mike is very focused on the fundamentals -- hand/body positioning, rhythm, reading/writing/composing, etc. -- while at the same time willing to explore a wide variety of music/artists, based on his student's interests. In addition, Mike is super-cool, so he can relate incredibly well to kids (and adults). He is encouraging (not judgmental) and has a very relaxed teaching style. Plus, he's very reliable -- good at communicating, keeps his appointments, etc. I'd highly recommend Mike. read more

I only took piano lessons with Mike for a few months, but his style of teaching made a world of difference! I had taken lessons as a kid for several years, and forgotten almost everything. Starting back up with Mike, I learned just how much was lacking in my training the first time around. With emphasis on mechanics, form, rhythm, and breathing (before simply practicing a piece of music), it completely changed the way I learned and practiced, and I am a much better player as a result. While he's diligent in making sure you learn the basics, he's also flexible if there's something you show interest in spending time on. As teachers go, he's the best I've had :) read more

I'll preface this by saying that I'm completely review-writing-phobic, but Mike is such an awesome teacher that I just have to give him some props. Mike is a great mix of conscientious and chill--I know I'm always learning, but without the guilt trip or snooty-ness that often comes with classical training. He always strives to make the material interesting and relevant, and really adjusts his style to the level of his students. Mike is also dependably patient and flexible, and I'm definitely looking forward to continuing lessons as soon as my life calms down a bit. read more

A little bit of time with Mike goes a very long way. Mike's intuition and sensitivity in teaching really came through in the lessons we had. I came to him on the recommendation of my best friend, who also takes lessons from him. I only saw Mike a handful of times because I was briefly visiting the area. In the small amount of time with him (around one month), we were able to build an incredibly valuable foundation of music theory that I have been able to take with me and work on my own. He knew how to organize time and lessons perfectly around my time schedule and what I wanted to learn. Although it was quite spontaneous, the way the lessons were organized and delivered in my time with Mike felt perfectly crafted. Mike is somehow able to create a simultaneously relaxed and incredibly productive atmosphere. Both casual and professional. If I am back in the area, I will be sure to come back and continue learning with Mike. He is both true in his passion for music and dedicated to the craft of quality music production. He is a sensitive and thorough teacher. read more

Mike is as good of a guitar teacher as I could imagine, and a great guy to boot. I have been playing guitar for about 10 years, mostly self taught with very few lessons sprinkled in here and there. I came to Mike with both general (learn more theory and building blocks skills) and specific (improve my rhythm style playing and improv creativity) goals and he worked with me to build a list of subjects to cover to achieve those goals. Even better, Mike fit that list into the timeframe I was working with so that I knew where I would be after our block of lessons, and so we could track my progress. The experience was the opposite of the kind of fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants / ad hoc uncertainty I was trying to avoid. Mike's teaching style is also great: He is very welcoming and helpful, not intimidating in any way. He makes awesomely organized cheat sheets of the material we covered which worked perfectly for my visual style, and made sure I had all the reference I needed when I left lessons. All in all, my experience with Mike was nothing short of amazing and I couldn't recommend him more. I'm looking forward to when I have the time to start lessons back up again, but until then I just can't wait to play everyday with all the new skills and material we covered. Thanks Mike!! read more

I've been taking guitar and sometimes piano lessons with Mike for almost 2 years now. And, man, he really is a great teacher. Mike has such a vast knowledge of music, whether it be theory, technique, even artists' influences. In terms of instruction, he's incredibly patient and attentive. He truly wants you to become the best musician you can be. There are a ton of music teachers out there, but none are like Mike. If you are at all interested in taking up the guitar or piano, I highly suggest taking lessons with him. read more

As a guitarist who has played for decades and for years in working bands, I wondered where to find the right music teacher, so I couldn't have been more pleased when I went to Mike. First off, he's a music teacher, not a guitar instructor, and that's exactly what I wanted. After playing with him for only a few moments, he identified what I needed to work on and had great exercises that humbled me but also moved me forward in short order. I find our lessons to be a perfect mix of theory, exercises, and fun. Already my live playing is better and my confidence is increased! Mike is supportive and friendly yet rigorous and makes good use of our time, something I really appreciate. I couldn't recommend him too much to experienced players who are looking for ways to move their music forward. One day I look forward to coming to Mike to learn the piano! read more

I've been taking guitar lessons from Mike for about 6 months and it has been wonderful. I am a busy professional and my lesson is always one of the highlights of my week. We discuss a variety of topics including music theory, songwriting, and he also helps me out with finding local spots to enjoy live music. My skills have improved dramatically since I've started lessons. I'm grateful that I've found this wonderful music mentor. read more

I couldn't be happier with my guitar lessons with Mike. He's that rare combination: a great musician who's passionate about music AND a truly gifted teacher. Super chill guy as well. The aspiring guitarists of Melbourne are lucky to be getting him back. read more

I was worried that at 35 my ability to learn the guitar would result in me wasting my time and money on lessons and guitar equipment. If it wasn't for Mike I'm sure my guitar would either be in the closet, smashed to pieces or on Craigslist. I moved out of SF and quickly found that a good guitar teacher is hard to find. Mike is super organized, patient and truly interested in what his students want to learn opposed to other teachers who simply have an outline for any and all students no matter what their interest. Another thing that stands out from other teachers I've had is his enthusiasm for teaching. I brought in all types of different music that I wanted to learn and he was genuinely stoked on whatever I brought in, or curious if he hadn't heard it before. He then easily transcribed it by ear and wrote it down so I could practice it. And the stuff that may not be so easy or fun, Mike usually found a way to make it fun. I say "usually" because there is no way anyone on earth can make the circle of 5ths fun. It sucks that I had to move as I'm now stuck looking for a new teacher and have had no such luck finding one (on number 3 and counting). If you're lucky enough to live near Mr. Beach and you want to learn the guitar from someone who gives a damn, I'd definitely set up a lesson. read more

mike is a really great piano teacher -- and unintentional mindfulness teacher! i went hoping to refresh my childhood piano skills, and ended up learning a new way to hold my body and breath while playing. i found him highly organized, personable, knowledgable, flexible and able to meet me exactly where i was. his approach helps to develop your skills in a way that is sustainable for a lifetime of playing - so at times my progress felt slower than i expected... but in the end, i'm thankful for it and appreciate the foundation. highly recommended! read more

Mike is an excellent teacher with great experience. He balances the line perfectly between making it fun and pushing you to improve. I had no experience with piano before jumping into lessons with Mike and he started at a great pace without any intimidation. It helped that we shared very similar music tastes and influences as well, which carried through into the lessons. I would highly recommend Mike for anyone looking to get into a new instrument, or continue at an intermediate to advanced level. read more

Mike is a great teacher, and a really knowledgeable musician. He helps you identify your goals and is very organized about ways to achieve them, with specific and useful practice techniques etc. I've been studying music for a while and I knew what I wanted to do (and what I didn't!) and he was very receptive and good at figuring out what to do to help me. He's also a really nice guy and it's a pleasure taking lessons with him! read more

Hard for me to give anyone five stars, but I think Michael is the greatest. Unlike other music teachers, he works with you to set the plan of how the lessons will go. He is a great listener, and very intuitive - he can figure out what you are saying, what you want, even if your musical language and expression is limited. He is very quick, responsive and smart, and very energetic without being off-putting. His best quality is engaging with you and connecting with you. read more

Hi lucky Australians, you get to take guitar lessons from a great teacher. I definitely feel lucky that I got to take some lessons before he left. Mike knows how to teach (lessons from great guitar players who don't know how to teach are to be avoided!), and he knows what he's talking about. Most importantly, he has an opinion as to what you should be learning. You can choose the direction, any direction, but if you listen to what he thinks is important for you to work on, you'll probably learn a lot really quickly. If you want to figure out a particular song or how to play a certain kind of music, he can of course help you with that. He also makes theory make a lot of sense, especially as applied to song-learning or songwriting. He's a very nice person and is really supportive! His is a safe learning environment. Also, he has great equipment. Seriously, it makes lessons so fun. Enjoy. read more