
Guitar Lessons Overview
From the smooth strum of an acoustic to the electrifying riff of a rock classic, playing the guitar opens up a world of creativity, connection, and self-expression for your child.
At San Ramon Academy of Music, our personalized 1-on-1 lessons are designed to inspire every student by blending creative exploration with skill-building techniques. Whether they’re just beginning or refining advanced skills, we make the learning feel fun and exciting.
- Lesson duration: 30 minutes
- Who can join: Ages 4 to adults
- Skill level: Beginner to advanced
- Format: Personalized, 1-on-1 lessons
- Attendance: In-person or virtual options
More Than Chords: The Heart of Our Guitar Lessons

At San Ramon Academy of Music, we don’t just teach students how to play the guitar – we show them how to feel it, live it, and love it.
Our approach is rooted in connection: connection to the music, the instrument, and the joy of learning itself. By combining the personalized attention of a small studio with the resources of a world-class academy, we create an environment where students can thrive.
Whether they’re strumming their first chords or diving into advanced improvisation, our skilled instructors tailor every lesson to fit your child’s goals and interests. Each session blends skill-building with creativity to keep students motivated, inspired, and excited to explore the endless possibilities of the guitar.
Skills That Go Beyond the Strings
What Your Child Will Learn in Guitar Lessons
With every chord and riff, your child will develop discipline, creativity, and resilience that resonate far beyond their instrument. Each lesson is designed to inspire growth, support their potential as both a guitarist and an individual.
Here’s what we cover:
Foundational techniques: We help your child feel at home with the guitar, starting with proper finger placement, strumming, and picking patterns.
Chords and progressions: They’ll bring songs to life by mastering the transitions and harmonies that form the heart of any melody.
Music reading and theory: Reading tabs, chord charts, and understanding rhythm helps your child approach any song with skill and independence.
Styles and genres: From rock and pop to classical and blues, students can explore the music that inspires them the most.
Improvisation and creativity: Playing guitar becomes a personal canvas as they learn to create riffs, nail solos, and experiment with their sound.
Beyond music, research proves that instrumental training builds essential life skills. A meta-analysis published in Educational Research Review highlights that structured music programs, like learning the guitar, have an impact on cognitive and academic skills over time.
While no activity guarantees life-changing results, guitar lessons offer a proven path for your child to develop patience, critical thinking, and the satisfaction of mastering something meaningful – skills that will serve them for life.

The San Ramon Academy of Music Advantage
Imagine your child strumming their first chord, a huge smile lighting up their face as they realize, “I can do this!” Or imagine them performing their favorite song in front of an audience, feeling proud, accomplished, and excited to keep learning.
Our guitar lessons empower students to explore their style, master skills, and find joy in every chord they play.
Over four decades of guitar teaching experience
Your child will learn from teachers who’ve performed on stage, mastered diverse styles, and guided countless students to success.
Guided practice outside of classes
Access lesson notes, recordings, and customized exercises through our student portal to make practice at home stress-free and effective.
Engaging play-based lessons
We make learning fun with interactive, creative techniques that keep kids excited and motivated to play.
Flexibility for busy families
Choose in-person or virtual lessons that easily fit into your family’s busy schedule.
Performance opportunities
Students can show off their hard work and gain confidence by performing in seasonal recitals, workshops, and community events.
Supportive music community
Your child will join a welcoming group of instructors, families, and peers who celebrate every milestone along their musical journey.
Six-month nurture plan
Regular check-ins, clear goals, and tailored feedback help your child grow and celebrate every milestone.

Who Can Join Our Guitar Classes?
Whether you’re picking up a guitar for the first time or returning to it after years, our lessons welcome everyone with a love for music and a desire to grow. At San Ramon Academy of Music, we adapt our teaching to fit every student’s age, skill level, and personal goals. That includes:Complete beginners: Start your journey with a strong foundation in technique, rhythm, and chords. We make those first steps exciting, approachable, and fun.
Young learners: Inspire creativity and build confidence as young hands explore their first melodies in a supportive, playful environment.
Teens and adults: Refine your skills, learn your favorite songs, or discover new styles—our lessons grow with your goals and passions.
Returning musicians: Dust off your guitar, and we’ll help you reignite your skills and your love for music.
Six-Month Plan to Help Your Child Get More Creative and Confident Through Guitar Lessons

Throughout the six months, we prioritize regular progress check-ins to track your child’s development and celebrate wins.
Instructors use these touchpoints to adapt lesson plans to match your child’s interests, whether that’s rock, blues, pop, or something else entirely. If a student needs more time on finger techniques or wants to dive into improvisation early, we adjust to ensure lessons are always engaging and tailored to their goals.
Here’s Why Students and Parents Love Our Lessons
Join hundreds of students who’ve found their love for the guitar through our supportive and fun classes.
Berly Paz2024-08-27 This is my daughter's first time taking voice lessons. And she loves her lesson with John. She looks forward to it every week and sings almost non-stop! The team is also very supportive and flexible, Tenisha and John are the best!! Emma Silverline2024-08-22 We've had great experience with SR Academy of Music so far. My 9yr old joined a group piano class as a complete beginner, which was a good place to start. He takes weekly private lessons now and really enjoys them. His teacher, Ms Clara, is amazing, so fun, kind, and patient. She knows how to connect with a child. I really like their online portal for scheduling and information access, and Ms Tenisha is a rockstar of scheduling/administration, so very helpful and supportive. Great program! mukta bhatia2024-06-10 This is an amazing place to learn music. Students are made welcome, and everything is well organized. The recitals are a joy to play at. -Divij Bhatia Miguel Tinajero2024-04-30 San Ramon Academy of music has been a positive experience on my 10 year old daughter she takes both voice and piano lessons the instructors are talented , patient and make learning music fun . The staff is great at keeping me updated with upcoming lessons and events and online classes make scheduling easy and flexible ! Ruchi ShriramGupta2024-03-15 My kids had a great experience learning & enjoying their Music classes. I highly recommend San Ramon Academy of Music for all music lovers. It’s worth a fortune 👍 Hamida Aminy2023-12-22 My daughter has been taking piano lessons for a few months. She enjoys her lessons with Ms. Emily. Every week I get feedback from her teacher. She lets me know what they worked on and her future goals. I highly recommend San Ramon Academy of Music! They are very flexible and easy to work with. Freeda Bennett2023-12-14 Amazing group of teachers!!! We did their first and second group classes and then one on one lessons. Ms Emily is engaging and makes lessons fun for my 7 year old. Larkin Mehta2022-07-13 Our family has had a fantastic experience at San Ramon Academy of Music. We learned about SRAM from a friend whose child had been with them for several years and enjoyed it immensely. We joined SRAM in 2018 and currently have two children who take piano and singing lessons. James Daly, owner and piano instructor is AMAZING! He tailors his teaching approach to each child's learning style (auditory, visual, kinesthetic). His passion for music education comes through all aspects of SRAM. He keeps lessons engaging while challenging to achieve growth. There are twice yearly recitals and even with COVD in 2020-2022, they managed to do online recitals seamlessly. The instructors are so positive, which as a parent I very much appreciate. I highly recommend SRAM if you need any sort of music / vocal lessons for your family. Shivani Mehta2022-07-06 We love SRAM! James is the best piano teacher my kids, ages 12 and 15, have ever had! We have had to switch teachers multiple times because of moving, and James has made the transition simple and fun! He not only has taught them how to play piano and theory, but how to be better human beings. Thank you, SRAM!
Strumming Through History
The Fascinating Story of the Guitar
The guitar’s origins stretch back thousands of years, with the name likely rooted in the ancient Greek kithara, a stringed instrument played by gods and mortals alike. Mythology credits Hermes with creating the first kithara from a tortoise shell, while early musicians used it to tell stories and evoke emotion.
The modern acoustic guitar, as we recognize it, probably evolved in Spain during the early 16th century. But it wasn’t until the invention of the electric guitar in the 1930s that the instrument truly revolutionized music, paving the way for rock, blues, and jazz legends to take center stage.
Whether strumming around a campfire or rocking out on stage, the guitar remains one of the most versatile and beloved instruments in the world.
At San Ramon Academy of Music, we celebrate this legacy every day by helping students explore the guitar’s expressive possibilities. When you learn to play the guitar, you’re not just picking up an instrument – you’re stepping into a tradition of artistry, innovation, and connection that has inspired generations.
