Dan Frechette - Lessons

Dan brought my guitar playing to the next level. He's taught me things I would never even think of being able to learn on YouTube. He can play and teach any style you can think of.

Geoff, adult student

Private lessons: in-person + online

Guitar (acoustic, electric, slide), Banjo (clawhammer and 5-string), Mandolin, Ukulele, Bass, Harmonica

Whether you're interested in delivering staggering renditions of your favorite cover tunes, playing lead across multiple genres, including Bluegrass, Blues, Ragtime, Folk, and Rock, accompanying lead instruments or vocals with unshakable rhythm skills, or fleshing out your own tunes and riffs, I'm certain that some time together, whether you are a beginner or more experienced professional, will help launch you to the next level of confidence, skill, and enthusiasm.

In teaching string instruments, I especially enjoy sharing the subtleties of various picking techniques and patterns (including flatpick, slide, and fingerpick), rhythm accompaniment techniques and patterns for vocals/lyrics, and various stylistic forms. Solo and rhythm oriented guitarists also enjoy learning my “one-man-band” style which allows students to combine rhythm, bass, and lead lines all at once.

I've been making a living at music for over 20 years, playing theaters, house concerts, and the main stages of major festivals, including the Winnipeg and Edmonton Folk Festivals and the Suwanee Springfest upon countless others as a internationally touring singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. A number of my songs have been covered by major artists around the world and I've formed bands and backed up many talented artists throughout the US and Canada. I enjoy giving students a real hands on working knowledge of playing and performing that they can quickly apply to any solo, band, or ensemble setting they may encounter. Serious students learn to become “musicians”, not just “technicians”, internalizing the principles of good tone, rhythm, and a functional palate of expressive techniques.

Please be in touch to check my availability to take on new weekly students. I am also always available for the occasional "brush up" lesson with a more experienced player to focus on a specific challenge or open up new expressive concepts and skills.

I am available for lessons in my Bonny Doon studio, in your home in Santa Cruz county, at various tour stops throughout North America and Europe, and also online via Skype (or FaceTime, Zoom, or Facebook video chat) to students around the world.

Please email me at dan@ramblingdan.com to discuss your options and whether lessons with me might be a good fit.

Songwriting Coaching

I enjoy coaching songwriters and aspiring songwriters to make their ideas memorable, engaging, and concise. Both privately and in workshop I enjoy helping students and songwriters find their muse, melody, and rhythm.

Offerings for every level of student:
• exercises to spark students’ creativity
• songwriting basics, including stylistic forms and prosody
• honing lyrics, including lyric rhythm, rhyme, and meter
• shaping chords and melody, including natural lyric melody, instrumental riffs and hooks, accompaniment, and arrangement
• performance topics, including presentation, stage presence, managing anxiety, and audience engagement

I am available for songwriting coaching during the week in person on the California Central Coast and at various tour stops, and now online via Skype to songwriting students around the world.

For songwriting lesson rates and availability, in person or online via Skype, Zoom, FaceTime and other video platforms, please contact me at dan@ramblingdan.com .

Dan Frechette was the perfect choice in a guitar teacher for me. He has taken me from complete beginner with no musical experience to someone who can now play enough to get a lot of enjoyment from the experience - and I am in my 60s! It’s never too late. I highly recommend him as a teacher. Very encouraging and fun.

Suzanne, adult student

We have been blessed to have Dan Frechette as our daughter’s guitar teacher for years now. He is wonderful with kids as well as adults....and dogs too! His positive vibe and uplifting energy helps your student feel confident as they are learning their instrument. Dan works closely with your student to achieve what is important to your student and also has many tricks, suggestions and fun ideas to help your student grow their confidence and abilities. Dan Frechette is a wonderful musician as well as a beautiful person who will not only teach your student what they want to learn, but also bring positivity, creativity and inspiration to your student that will last long after their lesson is over! Your student will absolutely love working with Dan while having fun doing it! You will see a huge growth in their musical abilities as well! You won’t find a better music teacher and human!

Kim, mother of a student

Dan Frechette's musical abilities are amazing, and he is a patient and kind teacher. His love and enthusiasm for music are so apparent. In guitar lessons he built upon what we already knew to quickly advance our playing. We feel fortunate to have such a learning resource as Dan.

Michael and Lisa, adult students

Dan taught our daughters guitar from the beginning at a young age. His enthusiasm and positive energy has given them a lifelong love for guitar along with a solid foundation in many aspects of music including songwriting. It is one of my greatest joys in life to hear my daughters singing and playing guitar together. Thanks Dan!

Thuy, mother of students