Simon OKeeffe

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

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Profile photo of Simon, Guitar tutor at Wiingy
Profile photo of Simon, Guitar tutor at Wiingy
Profile photo of Simon, Guitar tutor at Wiingy
Profile photo of Simon, Guitar tutor at Wiingy

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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

Guitar for beginners icon

Guitar for beginners

Chords and Rhythms icon

Chords and Rhythms

Improvisation icon

Improvisation

Sight Reading icon

Sight Reading

Music theory icon

Music theory

Guitar Techniques icon

Guitar Techniques

Ear training icon

Ear training

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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

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Guitar for advanced

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Guitar for adults

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Guitar for beginners

Guitar for kids icon

Guitar for kids

Guitar for intermediate icon

Guitar for intermediate

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.

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Guitar teacher who keeps it simple

Breaks down chords and strumming in easy steps

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Strong parent endorsements across ages

From kids to teens, parent spoke highly about the guitar teacher

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Focus on core guitar skills

93% Students report clear progress in chords, strumming, and transitions

Types of guitar lessons

Guitar

Guitar

Electric Guitar

Electric Guitar

Bass Guitar

Bass Guitar

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Guitar concepts taught by Simon

Student learned 4 days ago

Student and Tutor discussed guitar technique, including right and left-hand positioning and posture, for classical guitar. They practiced the C major and G major scales, with a focus on integrating the thumb rest stroke for bass note projection. The session also introduced harmonic concepts like the Cycle of Fifths and chord numbering while beginning work on "Ode to Joy," with a plan to continue practice. The next session will be extended to compensate for connection issues.

Guitar Posture and Relaxation

Classical Guitar Hand Techniques

Classical Chord Voicings and Numbering System

Introduction to the Cycle of Fifths and G Major Scale

C Major Scale Extension & Position Shifting

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Student learned 17 days ago

The Student and Tutor commenced an introductory electric guitar lesson, focusing on instrument setup, proper holding, and connecting the amplifier. They then moved on to manual guitar tuning by ear, practiced basic plerum techniques including downstrokes and upstrokes, and began learning to read guitar tablature by identifying strings, frets, and open notes. The session concluded with the student successfully playing a simple riff from tablature, with a strong recommendation to obtain an electronic tuner for future practice.

Electric Guitar & Amplifier Setup

Basic Guitar Tuning

Holding the Plectrum & Basic Picking Strokes

Introduction to Guitar Tablature (TAB)

Fretting Notes & Pitch Changes

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Student learned 18 days ago

Student and Tutor worked on foundational guitar techniques, including chromatic warm-up exercises and an extended C major scale. They also practiced reading and playing several musical pieces from a book, incorporating dynamics like soft, loud, crescendo, and diminuendo. For homework, Student was advised to practice warm-up exercises, the C major scale, and specific pieces from pages 28, 29, and 30 of their book.

Chromatic Left-Hand Warm-up

Musical Dynamics: Expressing Softness to Loudness

Proper Left Hand Posture

String Muting Techniques

Double Octave C Major Scale with Position Shift

Advanced Dexterity Pattern

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Student learned 18 days ago

The Student and Tutor reviewed guitar practice from the previous week, warming up with A minor pentatonic and hexatonic scales for improvisation. They meticulously practiced reading tablature and playing "Creep" by Radiohead, focusing on bar chord techniques and transitions. The session also initiated an in-depth introduction to the CAGED system for fretboard navigation and mapping root notes. Homework includes refining the Radiohead song, practicing the expanded scales, and memorizing specific CAGED bar chord shapes.

Pentatonic Scale Expansion & Blue Notes

Tablature Interpretation & Barre Chord Application

CAGED System: Fretboard Mapping with Octave Shapes

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Student learned 22 days ago

The Student and Tutor engaged in a guitar lesson focused on practical playing techniques. They covered alternative chord voicings like F major 7 and C add 9, enhanced strumming techniques using finger-based downstrokes and thumb-based upstrokes, and explored rhythmic variations with quarter, eighth, and 16th notes, including muted strums and hammer-ons. The discussion also addressed the Student's goals of playing simple songs for family.

Optimizing Finger Strumming for Efficiency

Alternative F Chord Voicings & Fmaj7

Rhythmic Strumming Patterns: Quarter

Eighth

& Sixteenth Notes

Muted Strums for Percussive Flavor

The C add 9 Chord as a Smoother Alternative

Introducing Hammer-ons in Strumming

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Student learned 26 days ago

The Student and Tutor focused on fundamental classical guitar techniques, practicing the C major scale with both rest and free strokes, exploring rhythmic groupings like triplets, and forming and arpeggiating a C major chord. They also worked on music reading, practiced a short piece in 3/4 time, and discussed muting techniques and economy picking. For homework, the Student was assigned to practice the C major scale, arpeggiating chords, and reviewing specific pages in a music book.

Navigating Music Notation for Classical Guitar

Essential Practice Principles: Tension Release and Muting

Rhythmic Groupings: Quavers and Triplets

Right-Hand Techniques: Rest Stroke vs. Free Stroke

C Major Scale Fundamentals

Classical Guitar Chord Voicing and Arpeggiation

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Learning tools used in guitar classes

Ear Training Software image

Ear Training Software

Backing Track Libraries image

Backing Track Libraries

Backing Track Libraries image

Backing Track Libraries

DAWs image

DAWs

Looping Software image

Looping Software

Piano Tuner Apps image

Piano Tuner Apps

Metronome Apps image

Metronome Apps

PDF Sheet Music Libraries image

PDF Sheet Music Libraries

DAWs image

DAWs

Looping Pedals image

Looping Pedals

Engaging guitar lessons

Chat for quick help icon

Chat for quick help

Pets are welcomed icon

Pets are welcomed

Mobile joining icon

Mobile joining

Note taking icon

Note taking

Open Q&A icon

Open Q&A

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Reviews and Ratings for Simon

Kailee Valenzuela

Winston-Salem, NC

about 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.

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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.

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Maddison Hogan

Sandpiper Bay, Port St Lucie

over 1 year 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.

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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.

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Alicia Franco

Southpoint, Durham

almost 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.

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Cohen Baker

Mandarin, Jacksonville

almost 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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Guitar teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality

Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.