As a teacher, I have guided many students to successfully advance their skills on the guitar. I love the way teaching was described by master trumpeter and longtime teacher William Vacchiano (teacher to Miles Davis and Wynton Marsalis, among many others). He said... "To me, teaching is like what a painter does. As a teacher, I see each student as a great piece of art. Each student comes in, more or less raw or green. In each student I can reproduce myself, you might say, and create great artists." That is what a master teacher does. Here are what some of my students have to say to you...
"I had been playing guitar for 9 years before I met Tim and I was in a blues rut. Being mostly self-taught, I only excelled at blues. The idea of learning how to play fluid jazz like my heroes Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino and Kenny Burrell was just a distant dream. That is, until I found Tim.
"Tim is by far the best teacher I've ever had. He is extremely knowledgeable and diverse in every aspect of music. He has the ability to structure a program specific to each student's individual goals. In addition to his amazing playing ability he's also super cool guy. I highly recommend him for anyone interested in becoming a better musician."
Colin Farnell
"I would never have believed the speed at which I am learning. Tim is enthusiastic at each and every lesson and shows interest in how I am progressing. He will put more on your plate than any other guitar instructor, and you will learn it faster than with any other guitar instructor. I am always looking forward to my next lesson."
Matt Ward
"This testimonial might only be insightful to guitar novices. As of this writing, I’ve played guitar for just under 10 months. I had a teacher when I first started, but switched to Tim after one month of total confusion. I am very glad I switched otherwise I probably would have thrown in the towel early on.
"I‘m getting a late start in life with the guitar (I’m 58), with no legitimate playing experience. Fortunately, I met Tim, and I’m having a great time learning to play. I am surely slower than most, with minimal rhythm and less than flexible digits…but Tim always supports my efforts with unlimited patience, understanding, and enthusiasm. My buddies can’t believe my accomplishments in a few short months!
"Tim is by far the very best guitar instructor I have ever encountered. His knowledge and technical skills are amazing, and he puts in many extra hours (at no charge) preparing for his lessons. As an example, Tim has transcribed numerous songs upon request for me. His transcriptions are accurate and easy to read. Thanks to Tim, I can now play several songs that I never thought I would be able to play. Tim can teach any style of guitar playing, and has an excellent understanding of music theory. Tim is also a very nice guy."
Guy McRoskey
"I have been taking guitar lessons from Tim for over a year now. My previous teacher was also an excellent teacher, but his first priority was performing. With Tim, I feel that he loves to teach, is dedicated to teaching guitar, and that I’m more than just a financial necessity for his “night” job. Two things that I really like about working with Tim are: 1) His use of technology to enhance my learning and practice; and 2) His flexibility to “change gears”, as I learn more about what I like in music.
"Tim Quinn is San Diego’s own ‘Guitar Guru’! I am a serious guitar player, and even play professionally sometimes. I studied guitar with four other teachers before I met Tim. Now, after studying with Tim for two years, those previous teachers seem like amateurs in comparison. Tim seems to be a master of all guitar styles, a professional performer with serious chops (jazz, rock, shred, blues, country, acoustic fingerstyle, etc.), and a master teacher on the level of a college professor.
"Before writing this testimonial about Tim Quinn, I decided to read others already posted on Tim’s website. If you are not already a student of Tim’s, the superlatives might sound like exaggerated comments from enthusiastic students. They are not. I have played guitar on-and-off for a number of years. Focus on family and work had kept me from seriously pursuing this passion of mine. I now have the best of all worlds, free time and the finest guitar teacher in San Diego or perhaps southern California.
"I have benefited greatly from lessons with Tim. I have been playing for many years and his ability to break down techniques and theory into easily understandable basics has made learning much easier. His patience and ability to help me improve have been great and the rest is up to me. There is always much to learn on the guitar. I highly recommend Tim for students at any level."
Ron Horvitz
"Just a few words about Tim Quinn and his professionalism and generosity of spirit. Although I am a remedial student, Tim has never let that get in the way and is a devoted teacher with the patience of Jobe.
Tim has the expertise to take any student to whatever level they aspire too in any type of music, because he is a devoted student of the art itself who has no reluctance in sharing his lifetime knowledge of music and his love of such a beautiful instrument.
As long as I continue to play the guitar and have a quest for advancement, Tim will always be my first choice."
John Piscatella
"Tim is a great guitar player but more importantly to me he's a great teacher. I've been playing for a long time and had hit a long-term plateau. Tim organized my goals and established a lesson plans specifically designed to meet those goals. He taught me exactly what I wanted to learn. He loaded my up with tons of material; a few months of material from Tim will easily keep me busy for a year. Hearing Tim play and record the material right there in his teaching studio is so motivating. His use of technology rocks, such as recorded examples, backing tracks etc. His teaching studio is state of the art. Bottom line…Tim makes me a better guitarist."
Frank Pratte
Oh heck YES.
