Simon OKeeffe
Explore dynamic lessons that blend ear training and practical skill-building for an exciting guitar journey.




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Simon OKeeffe
Masters degree
/ 55 min
Simon - Know your guitar teacher
With over 15 years of experience in teaching Guitar, I'm Simon O'Keeffe, a seasoned tutor with a Masters degree in music. Specializing in various guitar styles, from Electric to Bass, I've honed my skills in chord progressions, fingerstyle techniques, and music theory. My expertise ranges from teaching beginners to advanced players, including kids and adults. I take pride in tailoring lessons to match each student's pace and goals, ensuring a personalized learning journey. Whether it's strumming patterns, scales, or mastering songs, I provide a comprehensive approach that fosters growth and confidence in playing the guitar. Let's strum our way to your musical aspirations together!
Your guitar teacher expertise
Improvisation
Strumming and Picking Techniques
Ear training
Sight Reading
Finger Placement & Hand Position
Chords and Rhythms
Ear training
AI modules
Summary
Podcast
Quiz
Learnings
Flashcard
Spotlight
Zero Risk Guaranteed
15-days refund
Free tutor swap
No cancel fee
1-yr validity
24/7 support
Learner for guitar lessons
Guitar for beginners
Guitar for intermediate
Guitar for adults
Guitar for advanced
Guitar for kids
Guitar lessons quick guide
As a Guitar tutor specializing in Electric Guitar and Bass Guitar, I cater to students of all levels, from kids to adults. My teaching style combines expressive musicality, progressive instruction, and engaging lessons. Using amp simulators, backing track libraries, and ear training software, I create a dynamic learning environment both online and offline. I emphasize personalized instruction, focusing on technique, theory, and performance skills. I employ chord diagram apps and looping pedals to enhance understanding and creativity. With a vast array of tech tools like DAWs and metronome apps, I ensure a comprehensive learning experience. Whether following specific curricula like A-Levels or IB programs, I adapt my approach to meet individual needs. By integrating empathetic guidance and interactive tools, I help over 200 students achieve their musical goals. From beginners to advanced players, my methodology fosters a deep understanding of guitar playing while making lessons fun, engaging, and rewarding.
Guitar teacher who keeps it simple
Breaks down chords and strumming in easy steps
Strong parent endorsements across ages
From kids to teens, parent spoke highly about the guitar teacher
Focus on core guitar skills
93% Students report clear progress in chords, strumming, and transitions
Types of guitar lessons
Guitar
Electric Guitar
Bass Guitar

Guitar concepts taught by Simon
The Student and Tutor continued their guitar lesson, focusing on understanding and practicing major scales in open and movable positions, including an introduction to the CAGE system and triads. They also worked on music reading, specifically dynamics, phrasing, and left-hand muting techniques within a musical piece. Homework was assigned to memorize scale shapes, practice triads, and work on new pieces involving bass notes and ledger lines.
Understanding Musical Phrasing
Triads and Arpeggios: Building Musical Vocabulary
Guitar Scale Positions & Movable Shapes
Effective Guitar Practice Strategies
Left-Hand Muting for Clear Articulation
Student and Tutor continued their guitar lesson, reviewing G and A Mixolydian scales and practicing rhythm notation, down/up picking, and muting techniques in the piece "Willow Garden." They then explored bass runs, hammer-ons, and pull-offs, integrating these into exercises and the new song "Way Downtown." Homework includes practicing the scales and the new song, with the Tutor planning to provide a reference recording.
Bluegrass Mixolydian Scales (G & A)
Rhythmic Variations & Picking Patterns
Bass Runs
Guitar Slurs: Hammer-ons & Pull-offs
First-Time & Second-Time Bars
The Student and Tutor worked on guitar technique, including chromatic scales and left-hand pressure. They explored creative improvisation using an inner ear approach and delved into major scale shapes using the CAGED system. The session also covered the theoretical differences between major and pentatonic scales and ended with sight-reading practice on a piece, with homework assigned on these concepts.
Intelligent Hands & Economy of Movement
Chromatic Scale Warm-up & Technical Focus
Cultivating Musical Intuition
Understanding Major Scale Shapes (CAGED System)
Major vs. Pentatonic Scales: Interval Formulas
Reading Musical Notation & Dynamics
The Student and Tutor reviewed the pentatonic scale and its application in various music genres, alongside fundamental guitar techniques such as 'two notes per string.' They practiced interpreting and applying dynamic markings like legato, staccato, crescendo, and decrescendo within musical pieces, and introduced the concept of waltz time with separate melodic and bass lines. The Student was encouraged to practice these skills independently to improve technical proficiency and musical expression.
Pentatonic Scale
Legato vs. Staccato
Dynamic Markings
Two Notes Per String Technique
The tutor and student reviewed various guitar exercises, including finger dexterity drills and scales, progressing to chord shapes and movable triad patterns. They then practiced interpreting and playing musical pieces, focusing on phrasing, dynamics, and musical expression, with plans to email supplementary material.
Guitar Finger Warm-ups: Spider & Diagonal Exercises
Triads: Structure
Voicings
and Movability
Melodic Interpretation & Musicality
Reading Music: Navigating Melodies and Sections
The Tutor and Student began by warming up with G major pentatonic and A mixolydian scales, focusing on adding blue notes and flat 7s for a bluegrass sound. They then reviewed a 1-4-5 chord progression and tackled a new song, "Willow Garden," emphasizing 3/4 time signature and rhythmic notation. The Student was encouraged to practice these scales, rhythmic patterns, and reading notation, with the Tutor providing WhatsApp notes for revision.
G Major Pentatonic Scale & Blue Notes
Scale Application & Open Strings in Different Keys
1-4-5 Chord Progressions & Bass Movement
3/4 Time Signature & Rhythmic Patterns
Perception of Scales based on Chord Changes (Intervals)
Learning tools used in guitar classes
Piano Tuner Apps
Backing Track Libraries
Looping Software
DAWs
Looping Pedals
PDF Sheet Music
Ear Training Software
Backing Track Libraries
Metronome Apps
DAWs
Engaging guitar lessons
Mobile joining
Note taking
Chat for quick help
Open Q&A
Pets are welcomed

Reviews and Ratings for Simon
Kailee Valenzuela
Winston-Salem, NC
over 1 year ago
My son’s progress really took off after starting sessions with Simon in Winston-Salem. He’s now strumming favorite tunes and experimenting with new sounds all on his own.
Joey Silva
Fishers, IN
over 1 year ago
Motivation stayed high for my son with Simon ’s engaging lessons in Fishers, IN. He blends exercises and theory into a fun and effective mix.
Maddison Hogan
Sandpiper Bay, Port St Lucie
almost 2 years ago
I appreciated how accessible and effective Simon acoustic guitar lessons were. I hail from Sandpiper Bay and Simon encouraged me to focus on performing origial compositions at open mic, which indeed encouraged me a lot and gave me confidence. Best tutor ever.
Rolando Huang
West Mesa, Mesa
almost 2 years ago
After a 20year break from guitar I returned to playing and found it both rewarding and nostalgic in West Mess. With Simon ’s help I improved my rhythm and got my palm muting technique in punk rock back on track.
Alicia Franco
Southpoint, Durham
about 2 years ago
Simon gave me great support while I was preparing for my RGT Grade 3 exam. Through helpful exercises in scales, sight reading, and ear training, I was able to pass with merit. This all took place in the city of Southpoint.
Cohen Baker
Mandarin, Jacksonville
about 2 years ago
It’s easy to find someone who’ll show you where to place your fingers. It’s rare to find someone like Simon , who teaches you how to make your playing come alive.

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