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...

"Hello Future guitarists. I first picked up the guitar a year ago with the hopes of an attempt to teach myself the basics through CD's and how-to guides and at times felt a little progress, but with time knew I needed a mentor, so I wrote out a list of characteristics I felt a qualified teacher should posses, to say the least my list was long and demanding. I'm in the military and details are my business.

Read More: Todd R. Hastings

"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

"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

"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.

Read More: Steve Bowden

"My son, Max, and I have had the privilege of studying guitar under Tim Quinn for the past 14 months, having previously taken lessons together for five years. Following a rigorous and thorough approach to identifying the ideal guitar teacher, I consulted Fred at the Repair Zone as I valued his professional opinion based on his experience interacting with countless guitarists. Fred unequivocally recommended Tim and, after interviewing Tim and carefully scrutinizing his comprehensive website, I made the right choice.

Read More: Brad Scurlock

"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.

Read More: Jimmy Davino

"My name is Carlos A. Alvarez. I'm a 29 year old, Mexican guy, with an accent. This is my experience with Tim Quinn. Tim: Your patience and profound diligence toward the guitar student is second to none. I always felt as if you took us by the hand and led us to a road of enlightenment. After a few lessons with you, I could already see how you would easily direct my path in conquering the guitar. I never thought I could memorize the different scale patterns and play all over the fretboard, let alone improvise. I am still progressing in guitar playing and I owe it all to you.

Read More: Carlos Arturo Alvarez

"I have played guitar for over 20 years, and I have been a student of Tim's (on and off) for the last 10 years. Tim was recommended to me by a friend and fellow guitar enthusiast, about 10 years ago when my previous instructor left San Diego.

Read More: Nelson Hubbell

"I was referred to Tim by a reliable source, and Tim has more than met my expectations for guitar instruction. It's one thing to be capable of playing most any style of guitar, and it's another to be a good teacher and mentor; the two are just not one and the same. Fortunately, Tim is both. Tim breaks things down for you into parts and pieces that are easy to digest and then helps you to see how that is going to fit into the bigger picture later. Whatever your interests are, (shredding, finger-picking, jazz, etc.) Tim is going to get you going in the direction that you need to achieve those ends.

Read More: Rannie Lee

"Tim Quinn, of Quinn Guitar Instruction, is a very competent and patient guitar instructor. While Tim teaches just about every style of guitar playing, my requirement was nylon string guitar with an emphasis on classical pieces. Not only is Tim very accomplished at this style, he also had a wealth of written music and instruction for me. Regardless of your skill level or musical taste, Tim can provide you with quality, customized instruction. Plus, Tim’s a really nice guy."

Paul Catano

"Tim Quinn is simply the best guitar/music teacher in San Diego, maybe in California! When I began to take lessons from him I had already been playing at the guitar for 10 years. I was working as a carpenter, and only playing music on the weekends. I studied with Tim for 3 years. In that time, I learned everything I would ever need to become a professional musician and teacher. I do believe that if I had not studied with Tim, I would not have had a career in music.

Read More: Joe Rodgerson

"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!

Read More: Jim O'Neill