Guitar Lessons by Brent Poe

            
"Brent, I wanted to send you a shout out for taking care of so many of my customers! Keep up the good work!
June 17, 2008
My name is Mike Henry, and I've known Brent Poe since 2000. I work for Guitar Center and one of the most frequently asked questions I get is, "Do you know any good teachers?" My answer today is the same as it was in 2000. YES! Brent Poe! I get a lot of feedback from the people I send Brent. What I hear most often is, " It's as if he made up the lesson plan JUST for me!" One of the things that first impressed me about Brent was just that. He has a real knack for listening to what his client is trying to achieve, then formulating a game plan to take them there. He is savvy with the new player, with his or her first guitar and stars in their eyes, AND with the advanced player who is just looking to learn a new style. Along the way, he will bring many other aspects of music to them to complement that goal. One guy said to me..."Wow! I didn't realize lessons or classes could be FUN!" But that is what Brent is. Frequently, I will have the opportunity to hear some of his students as they progress in their playing, which for me, is very rewarding! Last, for many working adults, time constraints can be the real issue. Having to drive across town and back can be a real deal killer. The fact that Brent is willing to come to them is a huge plus. Many other teachers don't seem to do the actual teaching themselves, but refer them to a "staff". One week you might have one instructor, one week it might be someone else. Combine that with a "one lesson plan fit's all" approach, and you have a recipe for utter disappointment. Brent is a true professional, and a class act. I could not recommend him more highly, and will continue to send all my customers to him."
Mike Henry
Guitar Center
A few past and present client acknowledgments ...
February 25, 2009
"Brent Poe has been teaching guitar lessons to our 12-year old, Alec, for a little more than 1 year. Alec has learned much more than we ever anticipated in this short time. Brent has been coming every week for 1 hour and it usually takes some warm-up time to "rope in" Alec's interest level or focus. Brent is very good at this and he is an excellent listener when Alec tries to break away and show Brent new songs Alec downloads on his IPOD. (Brent keeps up with all genres of music, which is very important for Alec because Alec is impressed when Brent can play a modern "pop" or "rock" song. Brent will even learn an entire song for Alec and he'll teach it to Alec!) Brent is also very patient and respectful to our son. Overall, Brent himself is very talented and it is nice to hear his music as he is teaching Alec. I can tell he has a passion for guitar-playing and he is a wonderful influence on Alec. We were very lucky to find Brent and we plan to have him teach Alec skills on the electric guitar next! I would recommend Brent for any guitar lesson project. By the way, Brent was referred to us from the Lewisville,TX Guitar Center. Thank you very much Guitar Center for recommending Brent!!"
Mark and Amy C.
February 24, 2009
"Our 11 year old son Jonathan had expressed an interest in taking guitar lessons after receiving a guitar for Christmas. Not knowing his playing ability on his acoustic guitar we were referred to Brent Poe through the Guitar Center to give it a try. Brent has now been coming to our house every week for the past seven months and he has had a great impact on Jonathans guitar skills. Brent is a very talented guitarist who can play just about any song you can think of. As an instructor he has tremendous patience and the ability to transfer his knowledge of guitar and connect with our son. Our yellow lab Jessie has been known to sing along with them as well. We all look forward to our weekly guitar lessons with Brent and would highly recommend him to anyone interested picking up the guitar."
Ted and Elaine M.

January 29, 2009
"To any and all classical musicians, please take notice of my comments!I have been classically trained in stringed instruments and have always wanted to immerse myself and learn the finer arts of the guitar. It has been my experience in the past with other guitar instructors that they have been unable to communicate or bridge the gap that has existed from classical theory and musicality that commonly stops artists from learning the guitar.It has been a pleasure and surprise to find an instructor who is not only gifted musically and technically, but also posseses the rare art of communication on any level to teach me the ways of the guitar. Brent Poe comes highly recommended from an individual who has been performing the classical arts for over 20 years. For anyone who has ever wanted to learn how to play their favorite songs while learning the instrument itself, this is your instructor. Mr. Poe is able to break down the walls of theory and making it fun to learn.Again, I highly recommend Brent Poe as an instructor."
Kenneth D. Nichols II

"My 9-year-old son took his first guitar lessons from an instructor at a local music studio. He spent 5 months of weekly lessons and could only play songs that had single notes. He was taught to play from a book and the lessons hardly held his interest. After 5 months, I felt he wasn't learning much and we found Brent. What a change! My son began playing chords and recognizing how to put them together. He learned finger exercises that would teach him basic chords that would allow him to play a variety of music. He was interested - looked forward to his lessons and would practice more than 5 minutes at a time! He would pick up the guitar for fun and try to play things Brent would play. After 3 short months, he was playing above and beyond the level he had been at after 5 months at the music studio. Thanks, Brent!"
B.C.
"I picked up Brent's card at the Plano Guitar Center, and called him about lessons for my 15-year-old daughter. Brent met us at the store and helped use pick out an instrument. He has been teaching my daughter for seven weeks now and she loves taking lessons from Brent. I'm amazed at her progress, and very happy that I called Brent."
Kevin Cline
"Brent Poe has been instructing my 8 year old son for several months now. He not only demonstrates a unique teaching ability, he also illustrates that he has what it takes to assist each student in attaining their individual goals. While he is a patient leader, Brent also offers the most superior guitar instruction for amateurs of any age."
Jackie Shepard
"It is my pleasure to recommend Brent Poe to any level a guitar student you may be. I've been playing guitar for 46 years. I like to think I'm pretty good. But, I wanted to improve my lead guitar licks for an upcoming High School reunion I've got coming in May and asked Brent to help me. My lead work, along with all the new guitar effects improved 3 fold over what I would of been able to of done on my own. If you're a beginning student, mid-level student, or an accomplished guitarist Brent has the patience and ability to improve your skills. Please feel free to contact me for any information you may need at 469-223-4437. I feel his rates, availability of time, and willingness to come to you are great assets that you just can't find anywhere. Much thanks to Guitar Center in Lewisville for referring him to me."
Fred Mundt
"I'm writing to let anyone know that may be considering guitar lessons, Brent Poe is a fantastic teacher. I learned more from him in just one lesson than I did from my previous teachers past 5 lessons! Brent takes the time to help you understand what you're playing, where and how it originated etc. I found this to be very helpful! The fact that he came to me was also very helpful. I didn't have to distract myself with packing up my guitar and driving. I retained much more of the lesson this way. I found Brent through one of the Guitar Centers in DFW and very glad I did."
Sincerely, Jerry S.
"I have been playing rhythm guitar off and on for many years and wanted to learn lead guitar. Lucky for me, I found Brent’s business card at the Guitar Center LBJ and the store highly recommended him. I have thoroughly enjoyed our lessons and would highly recommend him as a very qualified instructor for all types and levels of guitar playing."
Randy Seale
About Me and My Guitar Lessons ...
I have been playing the guitar for nearly thirty four years and giving guitar lessons for the last 12 years. I am currently welcoming new students (on a stand by basis, since my schedule is almost always full). Unlike other guitar teachers, that “may” be teaching on a whim or for a little extra beer money on the side, I am in this for the long haul and very serious about results from my teachings.
If you're reading this, hopefully it's because you are genuinely interested in guitar lessons and you either found me through one of the many Guitar Centers in which I have my info placed or perhaps you were referred from another student or parent. I truly enjoy teaching guitar; it's so gratifying to see someone grow from something you have shared with them...especially the gift of music! There are no words to describe how wonderful it feels to see the face of a young person or a beginner student, light up when they realize they can make music come from a piece of wood fitted with six strings.
My teaching method is really quite simple...all based on a general assessment of the individual's current capabilities, age, coordination, natural musical talent/background, etc etc. The guitar is one of the most difficult instruments to learn … as well as teach. (If you want to learn to play lead guitar, we're going to spend a lot of time on the blues. After all, that's how lead guitar came to be....it's all about the blues!) We will go over shuffles to 12 bar blues and everything in-between. I have students ranging in age from 9 years old to their mid fifties. All of my students are taught by a customized teaching plan tailored to their individual needs. I teach people "HOW" to "actually" play...not, the theory of playing! I believe this method of teaching brings faster results, as well as teaches them a quick start approach to the guitar...electric or acoustic. Don’t misunderstand, we will cover theory, but will have fun while doing it! :o) Something that makes a big difference ... I come to the student's residence, as opposed to them coming to me. This has proven to result in a much more effective lesson. No distractions of leaving and then trying to remember what they were just shown.
VERY IMPORTANT – Make sure that the instructor in which you are considering has permission to leave their cards and/or flyers at the Guitar Center in which you found it!! It has been brought to my attention that lots of so called “teachers” do not have a relationship with GC, much less the permission to leave their info at their store locations! Also, I do not bribe Guitar Center sales associates with cash kickbacks for referring students to me, like some other instructors have done in the past and may still be doing??? I find this very, very disturbing!!
Guitar Center refers students to me because I respect their customers and their customers have given them good feedback on me and my teaching. I am what I claim … a good teacher.
I thank Guitar Center "sales associates" for student referrals by arranging a meeting with my student and/or parents at the Guitar Center location where they found me and then advising my students/parents on the APPROPRIATE guitar and other gear best suited for the student. Then, I turn the student over to the sales associate, so all that’s left for the sales associate to do is ring up the $ale, therefore getting credit for that particular $ale. I find this a much more logical and ethical way of taking care of Guitar Center associates for student referrals!! I’m pretty certain upper management at Guitar Center corporate, would agree! (Would you rather be taking lessons from a teacher that had to pay, to be referred to you, or from a teacher that was referred to you based on their qualifications and credentials????)
Also, be sure to check references when selecting an instructor for yourself, and especially for your child. Make sure their references are not pre-arranged, in an unethical manner! FYI….an effective guitar teacher is not measured by how good of a player he is, but rather the ability to demonstrate the instrument, as well as, a high level of communication skills, patience, professionalism, respect and over all good people skills.
FYI...30 minutes is in no way, enough time for an "effective" lesson … so beware of teachers offering this … it's more than likely part of some monthly pay plan designed to hook you in and make you think you/your child is going to learn the guitar. You will be wasting your money with that sort of teaching method. Attention spans with kids are too short and way too hard to grab in just 30 minutes!! Also beware of organizations that have multiple teachers. This results in you/your child not having the same teacher on a regular basis, this is a recipe for failure! FYI I have and do offer a monthly payment plan, many of my clients retain me at 300.00 per month in order to keep thier time slot, during the 3 month summer/school break. I do not mind doing this at all, "if" I enjoy teaching that student and real progress is being made!

Yes, I can help with "Guitar Hero"...the video game.... It's not real!! Nore is it even set up with any similaraties to a real six string guitar. I will demonstrate the "real" guitar as opposed to the video game. "Real" guitar lessons require a real commitment to practice as much as possible and students do their assignments, in which I give. I still make it fun … if not having fun while making music, it’s just not worth it!
The old saying "you get what you pay for”" could not be more true in regard to guitar instruction. My fee is set at $75 per one hour lesson, at your home. As you can read from the many acknowledgements above, it is money well invested. Yes, just one hour a week can truly be life changing! Whether my teachings result in a professional musical career or, simply a wonderful hobby that will bring unmatched pleasure to an individual for as long as he or she lives. The ability to play music is the ultimate feel good and constant certainty that will never stop giving!!
Remember...you will get what you pay for..."30" years ago, when I took lessons; the cost was $35.00 per lesson in which my mother drove me over 10 miles to and from each week! If someone is offering a lesson for anything close to that sum, you should beware!! I have heard that some instructors charge over $100 per one hour lesson, but I have set my rate where I feel a student gets the best lesson for a reasonable rate. PS. You're not just getting a guitar teacher , you're also getting a mentor, a guidence councelor, a role model that your child can look up to and seek real life experience advise from. All while keeping an open line of commnication with the parents. I can't begin to tell you the horror stories I have heard about some of the influences being shared with young students from other teachers re; cursing, smoking, drinking,...just over all idiotic information and horrific example setting methods!
Thank you for your interest and visiting. (If necessary, I can provide contact details for my many references, if the above acknowledgements are not enough.) ;o) !
Respectfully and With Kind Regards,
Brent