10 Benefits of Studying at James Flood Guitar
1. Study with a Top-Notch Guitar Instructor
James Flood has 28 years teaching experience and his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University in Classical Guitar Performance, where he studied under world-renowned classical guitarist Manuel Barrueco. His studies instilled in him a thorough understanding of the principles of guitar technique and musicianship which he has used to help hundreds of students of all skill levels from around the country. His teaching techniques have helped his students both meet and often exceed their ambitions in playing guitar. He has performed in Ohio, California, Maryland and West Virginia and directs the Cleveland Guitar Orchestra. James teaches classical and finger style acoustic. Read Full Bio
Steve Miller has been carefully hand-picked by James Flood as he shares the same teaching principals emphasizing the fundamentals of technique and musicianship. Steve’s specialty is in jazz, blues, rock, finger style acoustic, music theory, and improvisation. Steve also teaches ukulele. He has his Bachelor’s in Guitar Performance from Muskingum College and performs around the northeast Ohio region.
2. Learn the Guitar the Right Way
At James Flood Guitar Lessons the student achieves his or her goals by receiving a solid foundation in sound guitar technique and general music skills. Minimizing tension will be emphasized to achieve greater precision, speed, fluidity, good tone, stamina, and musical sensitivity.
You won’t find this type of training being used by other guitar teachers in the area. Our students succeed because we employ a logical progression of skills to help them master the guitar, step-by-step. With proper guidance, students are much less likely to feel overwhelmed and can enjoy the sense of accomplishment gained from progressing in their skills.
3. Lessons Are Customized to the Student
Lessons are designed around the goals of the students. Your goals become our goals. Helping students achieve what they are most enthusiastic about is what is most rewarding to us.
4. Proven track record
Many of James’ students have gone on to become accomplished players and many of his students have stayed with him for 4 to 7 years. But let the students’ testimonials on this site speak for themselves. View our testimonials
5. Learn in a patient environment
At James Flood Guitar Lessons you will learn in a patient environment. Everyone learns at their own pace and we recognize this fact. Learning at one’s own pace is actually a necessary ingredient in succeeding at acquiring skills.
6. A Guitar-focused facility
Every music school and music academy offers guitar lessons, but guitar is just one of the many instruments that these schools offer and those in charge are typically not guitarists themselves. As a result, these institutions do not have the experience, the guitar know-how, nor the time to recruit and make a truly informed decision on who to hire as a guitar teacher. James Flood Guitar Lessons is directed by someone who has studied at one of the premiere guitar conservatory programs in the country, who is a highly experienced guitar instructor and who only hires teachers who have a thorough knowledge of the instrument and a unique talent and skill for teaching.
7. Stress-free parking
No parking meters or street parking. Each location has its own parking. It’s easy to find a spot, and it’s free.
8. Two convenient locations.
James Flood Guitar Lessons has two Lakewood locations which are convenient to Cleveland, Rocky River, Westlake, Bay Village, Fairview Park, Parma, Parma Heights, Brooklyn, North Olmsted, Avon, and Avon Lake.
9. We teach all levels from beginner, intermediate to advanced, and teach both children and adults.
If you are a complete beginner and have never taken a music lesson in your life, welcome! If you’ve already been playing for a few years or if you’ve been playing for 30 years, and yet you feel like you’ve hit a plateau, James has helped many experienced players achieve a new level in their playing that eluded them before
10. Optional yearly recitals
We have a student recital every year in early June. It is by no means required, but it is highly recommended. Students and parents derive a great sense of accomplishment from preparing and performing for it.