I’d been playing guitar for 20 years before meeting Rob, but I still I sounded like a beginner. I was like an adult learning a foreign language, able to become proficient but speaking with a horrible accent. More embarrassing, I could not strum through a simple song and sing to it. It was hard to maintain a consistent rhythm, and not break down entirely while trying to sing. After I retired, I decided to get help and called Rob.

We picked out some music that I liked, and using that music, Rob got me to sing while strumming. Rob’s strength was to break down all that was going on, and provide simple exercises that allowed me to make progress without being overwhelmed. For example, he had me simplify the strumming pattern when I’d first start learning to sing a new song. Once I was able to put that simplified pattern on autopilot and sing along, I could slowly increase the complexity of my guitar accompaniment while maintaining the rhythm and singing with confidence.

Since starting lessons with Rob, I’ve learned songs from Creedence to Pink Floyd, and can now actually view a recorded performance without cringing.