My guitar lessons take an individualized approach to progressing on guitar, with streamlined theory and technique applied to learning songs and solos. Guitar instruction in San Francisco is available in acoustic and electric guitar styles, including rock, blues, folk, R&B, and country. Lessons are private, 50 minutes long, and scheduled on a weekly basis.
Each lesson is divided between learning to play songs you choose, as well as learning the musicianship necessary to understand and eventually master them. For the first half of each lesson we'll work on a theory-technique assignment to improve your overall confidence and skills. In the second half we'll work on a song you've chosen, to directly apply and reinforce the theories and techniques you've learned, to music you care about.
Each lesson is divided between learning to play songs you choose, as well as learning the musicianship necessary to understand and eventually master them. For the first half of each lesson we'll work on a theory-technique assignment to improve your overall confidence and skills. In the second half we'll work on a song you've chosen, to directly apply and reinforce the theories and techniques you've learned, to music you care about.
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Hi I'm Joe Deloro, an established San Francisco guitar instructor, who has taught professionally for many years. I have a degree in music, and have arranged numerous guitar transcription books for Warner Bros. Music Publications and Hal Leonard Corporation. My instructional articles have appeared in Premier Guitar, Guitar Player, How To Play Guitar, and Acoustic Guitar magazines.
Reviews (18)
Ali Almufti
Dec 07, 2020
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I've been taking lessons with Joe for about a year now. I spent a couple months using Fender Play, but wanted a base of knowledge instead of just memorizing songs. I had never played guitar before, and had no prior musical background - so Joe started from scratch. His lessons incorporate fundamentals of guitar, music theory, and songs.
After a year, I have built a very solid foundation, and feel that I'm starting to enter into the next phase of guitar where things become easier and more fun. My goal was to develop a base of knowledge, where I'd be able to play songs I like, or improvise at home
After a year, I have built a very solid foundation, and feel that I'm starting to enter into the next phase of guitar where things become easier and more fun. My goal was to develop a base of knowledge, where I'd be able to play songs I like, or improvise at home
Robert Rosin
Aug 02, 2020
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I spent many years looking for a teacher who could help me take my playing to the next level. I've been studying with Joe for over a year now and my playing and my understanding of the guitar has improved dramatically. Joe brings a rigor and attention to detail that was critical for me to improve. The first few classes were pretty tough but I value having a teacher that inspires me to do my best work, and I found that with practice I have been able to really improve as a player and feel like I am "earning" it. I can't recommend Joe more highly if you want to make progress on guitar.
Greg Kerr
Jul 30, 2020
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Joe is an excellent and thorough guitar instructor. He begins from the ground up with ownership of the fundamentals of playing guitar. Joe also stresses the theory and scales behind everything you play. The comprehensive curriculum leaves me feeling not just like I’m learning to play the guitar, but like I’m learning to be a musician. I highly recommend Joe as a teacher and am very fortunate to have signed up for his lessons.
Aaron B.
Nov 16, 2019
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I've been taking lessons with Joe for several years, focusing on 50's, 60's and early 70's blues and rock electric guitar. Joe's method centers around learning songs from the ground up, by diagramming the structure and creating chord charts and, when working on solos, identifying phrasing and individual figures. Attention is given to every measure, with detailed focus on both rhythm and pitch. Accordingly, the lessons emphasize music theory and composition. Assignments alternate between rhythm and solo parts, as well as songs chosen by the student. Joe's knowledge
Arjun Kulothungun
Nov 13, 2019
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I’ve been learning the guitar for about a year with Joe. As background, I had about 1-2 years of guitar instruction under a different teacher and I’d seen teachers of other instruments for my family (such as voice, tabla etc). There are a few things that set him apart.
The first is his attention to the details of playing and this has helped me improve my ability to spot these and to use them when playing. For example, he emphasizes the listener’s role - how to keep them engaged with the playing style, how to surprise them appropriately etc. And as another example, he regularly emphasizes
The first is his attention to the details of playing and this has helped me improve my ability to spot these and to use them when playing. For example, he emphasizes the listener’s role - how to keep them engaged with the playing style, how to surprise them appropriately etc. And as another example, he regularly emphasizes
Joshua Evans
Sep 27, 2019
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I was a true beginner at guitar when I started taking lessons from Joe about one year ago. Further details below, but in short I think Joe is not good...he’s great. I find my time with Joe to be productive, enjoyable and well worth the money spent.
To provide a little more context, below are the three primary areas where I think Joe excels.
1. Not a Teacher, But a Coach - learning guitar is not something that can be done by everyone at the same pace and level. Based on prior experience, commitment level and inherent musical ability...each individual person will respond and progress at different
To provide a little more context, below are the three primary areas where I think Joe excels.
1. Not a Teacher, But a Coach - learning guitar is not something that can be done by everyone at the same pace and level. Based on prior experience, commitment level and inherent musical ability...each individual person will respond and progress at different
Chris T.
Jun 14, 2018
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Tony N.
Mar 01, 2018
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James H.
Apr 28, 2017
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Joe is an amazing teacher that will surely raise your guitar skill level. He is extremely knowledgeable in music theory and technique. On top of that, he's able to provide interesting music history to go along with the style of music you're playing. I would highly recommend Joe for guitar lessons as I feel privileged to have him as a teacher.
Ravi R.
Dec 31, 2016
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I started lessons with Joe over a year ago and have been doing lessons with him once a week since. Over this period, I have truly enjoyed my guitar lessons with him. Firstly, I have been impressed that Joe has been teaching guitar for a long time and has a pretty effective technique and material for teaching. Secondly he challenges, pushes and provides detailed analysis and advice in a way that truly improves technique and understanding. Thirdly, I am pleased with myself as I feel I am improving, which of course is a great credit to Joe and makes the process fun. Joe also has a great fund of knowledge
Hannah G.
Nov 07, 2016
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I have been taking guitar lessons with Joe for half a year now and couldn't be happier. He has made it fun to learn big ideas about music with ease. I am very thankful to have learned so much about playing, technique, and theory in this short amount of time. Joe is the best guitar teacher I have come across. His lesson plans are built to develop all areas of your learning the guitar, and he gives out extremely helpful handouts and homework. Deciding to take lessons here was probably one of the best decisions I could have made for myself. If you love music and really want to play well, this
Jean-Max V.
Aug 27, 2016
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I have been taking lessons with Joe for 6 years, and I have learned so much during that time. My goal was to play a bit of Clapton, Dire Straits, Pink Floyd, and other well known rock artists. As a complete beginner, it all seemed unattainable. With Joe's guidance and support, all those songs that I have always wanted to play are now within my reach. Joe's extremely focused and methodical approach took me from a complete novice to where I can now play many of my favorite artists.
Here is an old recording of me playing:
https://vimeo.com/114637471
I have a long way to go, but I now can
Here is an old recording of me playing:
https://vimeo.com/114637471
I have a long way to go, but I now can
Michael M.
Jul 27, 2016
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I have been working with Joe for several years. He is a fantastic guitar teacher. My skills and enjoyment with the instrument have increased immensely and I always look forward to the lessons. Joe maintains focus on fundamentals (like rhythm and music theory) but keeps the lessons fun and interesting. The teaching is blues/rock oriented with virtually all of the lessons geared toward learning specific songs and showing how the material relates to important concepts needed to master the guitar. Joe has an encyclopedic knowledge of music history that he weaves into the lessons as well. Not only do
Tanner Smith
Jun 04, 2016
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I started taking lessons with Joe a little over 6 months ago as a beginning guitar player. I have only the best things to say about Joe - he's a great teacher, very experienced, patient, and pushes students to progress. As a working professional, it's difficult for me to find time to practice, but he keeps me honest and motivated. If you are considering taking lessons from Joe, it's a no-brainer!
Stephen B.
May 10, 2016
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I've been taking lessons with Joe for nine months now and I'm thrilled to have him as an instructor. He has spent a lot of time and effort with me (just a novice when I arrived at his studio) building a solid technical and musical foundation. This has been difficult in the beginning, but I am already seeing how this will make intermediate and advanced work easier because the "easy" techniques are being taught always with an eye to what is coming next.
We send approximately half the time learning music theory and working on fundamental skills like practicing attacks with a
We send approximately half the time learning music theory and working on fundamental skills like practicing attacks with a
Jack B.
May 05, 2016
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Joe is the ultimate resource for personalized guitar instruction in San Francisco. For this review I will highlight two key items:
1. technique
2. music appreciation
Technique: Joe knows all the mistakes and remedies that may be impossible to get from lesson videos online. Further, he has a music ear that can hear sounds that us mortals can't, so in the course of the assignments he nails all the mistakes that you don't even know you are making, and shows you how to fix them. What is especially impressive is that he will do it over and over (even in the course of a whole year) until you
1. technique
2. music appreciation
Technique: Joe knows all the mistakes and remedies that may be impossible to get from lesson videos online. Further, he has a music ear that can hear sounds that us mortals can't, so in the course of the assignments he nails all the mistakes that you don't even know you are making, and shows you how to fix them. What is especially impressive is that he will do it over and over (even in the course of a whole year) until you
Ben K.
Apr 15, 2016
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I've been taking guitar lessons from Joe for about 2 years and he's a great teacher, I couldn't recommend him more highly. It's been eye opening as an amateur rock/blues guitar player how much I was missing until now (I've been classically trained, and noodling on the guitar for 10 years) - even just fundamental technique and musicianship. I'm enjoying guitar so much more now. He's exactly the teacher I was looking for.
Joe alternates between teaching more-or-less-whole rock/blues songs, and solos (and when there is time, studying what you choose). Lessons progress
Joe alternates between teaching more-or-less-whole rock/blues songs, and solos (and when there is time, studying what you choose). Lessons progress
David R.
Nov 25, 2010
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I have been taking lessons from Joe for nearly a year, and I assert that he is a great teacher. My playing has improved more this year than it has in the last several years (and several teachers). Aside from being a great guy, here is what makes Joe a special teacher:
1) He expects a lot from his students without putting unnecessary pressure on them. To me, this has been a motivation to put in the practice time and make progress, and my playing has really benefited.
2) He has honed his curriculum over years of teaching to be a very diverse and engaging set of assignments. The parallel sequences
1) He expects a lot from his students without putting unnecessary pressure on them. To me, this has been a motivation to put in the practice time and make progress, and my playing has really benefited.
2) He has honed his curriculum over years of teaching to be a very diverse and engaging set of assignments. The parallel sequences
