Your Questions, Answered
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Private Guitar & Songwriting Lessons
Valley Song Craft offers one-on-one lessons for beginners focused on guitar fundamentals, basic music theory, and songwriting. Lessons are practical, encouraging, and tailored to your goals—whether that’s playing in a band, writing your first song, or simply enjoying music more confidently.
Lesson Rates
30-minute lesson: $45
45-minute lesson $50
60-minute lesson: $55
90-minute lesson: $70
Lesson Packages
4 × 60-minute lessons: $200
3 × 45-minute lessons: $140
Packages help students stay consistent and make steady progress.
Online Lessons
60-minute online lesson: $60
Songwriting Workshops (by request)
90-minute and above: $80–$100
Focused sessions for finishing songs, developing riffs, or workshopping ideas.
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Ideally, yes.
Having a guitar to practice between lessons is important for making the most of one-on-one instruction and building consistent progress. That said, loaner guitars are available for lessons if needed.
Use of a loaner guitar is available for an additional $15 per session.
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Buying your first guitar can feel overwhelming, but a little direction goes a long way. The best place to start is by thinking about the kind of music you want to play—whether that’s rock, indie, folk, or something more acoustic and stripped back.
If you’re drawn to louder, electric-driven music or artists like Metallica, Nirvana, Greta Van Fleet, or The 1975, an electric guitar and a small amp are a great place to start. I’ve included links to beginner-friendly electric guitars and amps to help you get set up.
If you’re more interested in acoustic-based artists like The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons, or Ed Sheeran, an acoustic guitar is likely the better fit. I’ve also shared recommendations for beginner acoustics to make choosing easier.
If you’re unsure, I’m always happy to help you decide.
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Visiting a local music shop is one of the best ways to choose your first guitar. There’s no substitute for holding an instrument in your hands and seeing what feels comfortable and inspiring. The staff can also help answer questions and make sure you leave with something set up correctly.
For those in the Shenandoah Valley, here are a few recommended shops:
Hometown Music – A wide range of gear and excellent service. A true one-stop shop for music equipment in the Valley. Prices can be a bit higher, but that reflects the quality of gear they carry.
Wonder Skate – A great option for beginners, with a strong selection of used and discounted gear. While it says skate shop they have a massive selection of used guitars and amps. Ask for Elliot. All used instruments come with a 9-month warranty.
The Tuning Fork – A smaller shop with quality instruments. They’re especially good at guitar repairs and setups when you need adjustments.
Valley Pike Music – Located on the north end of the Valley, this shop has all the essentials and is a great place to try out gear.
Waynesboro Music – On the south end of the Valley, offering solid essentials and a strong selection of acoustic guitars.
If you’d like help choosing a shop or an instrument, I’m always happy to point you in the right direction.
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allow you to learn at your own pace and focus on what matters most to you. Instead of following a one-size-fits-all program, lessons at Valley Song Craft are tailored to your goals—whether that’s learning basic guitar, understanding music theory, or writing your own songs. One-on-one instruction provides personalized feedback, faster progress, and the confidence to apply what you learn to real music right away.
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Valley Song Craft offers both in-person and virtual guitar lessons, though in-person lessons are recommended when possible.
Lessons can be held at my home studio in Dayton, VA, or I can travel to your home if that’s more convenient. The goal is to create a comfortable learning environment that works best for you.
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