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
Guitar for beginners
Chords and Rhythms
Improvisation
Sight Reading
Music theory
Guitar Techniques
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 advanced
Guitar for adults
Guitar for beginners
Guitar for kids
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Learning tools used in guitar classes
Ear Training Software
Backing Track Libraries
Backing Track Libraries
DAWs
Looping Software
Piano Tuner Apps
Metronome Apps
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
DAWs
Looping Pedals
Engaging guitar lessons
Chat for quick help
Pets are welcomed
Mobile joining
Note taking
Open Q&A

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.
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
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.
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
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.
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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