Brandon Reeves

For more than two decades, I have dedicated myself to teaching guitar and helping students unlock their musical potential. With over 24 years of experience as a private instructor and performer, I’ve worked with students of all ages and skill levels, from absolute beginners just picking up the instrument to advanced players preparing for auditions or professional gigs. My goal as a teacher is not only to help students build strong technical foundations, but also to show them how to find their own voice on the guitar.

One of the core aspects of my teaching is improvisation. Whether a student wants to solo in a rock band, explore the blues, or develop advanced jazz vocabulary, improvisation is at the heart of musical creativity. I guide students step by step, giving them the tools to understand harmony, rhythm, and phrasing so they can create music spontaneously and with confidence. Alongside improvisation, I place a strong emphasis on music reading. Being able to read music opens the door to countless opportunities — from playing in school ensembles to reading charts in a professional setting — and it gives students the independence to explore new repertoire on their own.

I also specialize in fingerpicking techniques, which are essential for styles ranging from acoustic folk and singer-songwriter music to more advanced arrangements in blues, country, and jazz. Fingerpicking builds coordination, musicality, and tone control, and it’s one of the most rewarding skills a guitarist can develop. Many of my students enjoy blending fingerstyle with other techniques, allowing them to be versatile players capable of switching between strumming, soloing, and intricate picking patterns with ease.

In terms of styles, my teaching spans a wide range: rock, blues, jazz, country, and acoustic guitar are all areas I cover regularly in lessons. I believe that every style of music brings something unique to a student’s development. Rock teaches energy and expression; blues builds phrasing and feel; jazz develops harmony and improvisational skills; country emphasizes clean picking and rhythm; and acoustic playing strengthens technique and versatility. No matter which style excites a student the most, I make sure lessons are engaging, practical, and connected to their personal goals.

Currently, I am pursuing a master’s degree in jazz studies at Georgia State University, which keeps me actively engaged as both a musician and an educator. My graduate work deepens my knowledge of jazz theory, history, and performance, and I bring those insights directly into my teaching. At the same time, I understand the importance of balancing academic knowledge with real-world playing experience. I’ve spent years performing and teaching in multiple genres, and I know that students progress best when lessons are structured, encouraging, and fun.

Ultimately, I believe that learning guitar should be both challenging and rewarding. My students gain not only technical skills, but also the confidence and creativity to enjoy music for a lifetime. Whether your goal is to strum your favorite songs, perform with a band, or dive into advanced improvisation and theory, I can help guide you on your musical journey.