Guitar Lessons by Mark Benjamin

Specialties

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How it Works:

Private and small group Instruction on acoustic and electric guitars, bass, ukulele, songwriting, music theory… most styles and genres to ages 5 and up, beginner to advanced.

I teach at The Jam Brothers music shop in Walnut Creek, and on location for those who cannot easily fit a visit to the store into their busy schedules.

The focus of my instruction typically involves teaching the student his favorite riffs and songs while simultaneously teaching the ear training skills which allows him or her to solve the mystery of self instruction.

I am open and willing to bend with the varying learning pace, needs, and desires of each student.

You Tube «lessons», free tabs, books, videos, and on-​line teaching will never ever replace face to face music instruction from an experienced, meticulous, college educated, and patient mentor.

History

Established in 1986.

I started teaching guitar lessons out of my parents garage while still in my teens, only a few years after picking up this instrument… continuing on and off on a part time basis (adding bass to my repertoire) until it became my primary source of income in 1996, a year after I graduated from Sonoma State University with a B.A. in Music.

At that point I was teaching out of studios in two music stores in Sonoma County (Stars Music and Zone Music), both of which eventually went under at the peak of the recession, but were thriving much of the time I was there (I taught 40– 50 lessons a week).

Since moving to my new location in Walnut Creek in 2009, I’ve gradually built up a worthy clientele, my big break coming in the Summer of 2011 with the opening of The Jam Brothers Music Shop. Shawn Steen added me to the roster and business has blossomed with the growth of the store.

I look forward to continue building strong, fruitful, & warm relationships with my clientele/​students.

Meet the Business Owner

Mark B.

Business Owner

Born and raised in Richmond, CA… started playing the guitar at age 13… played in dozens of music groups on guitar, bass, vocals since age 21… mostly cover/​oldies bands at bars and music festivals, gigging around the Bay Area… never earning enough to make it with gigs as a primary source of income…

Got serious at Sonoma State University… Bachelor of Arts in Music (Jazz Studies)…Magna Cum Laude in 1995… Won prestigious Evert B. Person scholarship in 1994…

1995 to present… teaching guitar, bass, ukulele, songwriting, music theory… getting some good paying performing gigs along the way, a few music transcription projects… and have been able to mostly make it without having to compromise my dedication to playing and teaching music…

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reviews

Musical Instruments & Teachers

Mark B. says,

«Shawn & Valerie have been tremendous in promoting and signing up so many new students for me ! They are amazing with customers, never over-​selling.»