Take Lessons From Tom Demarest
Guitar, Ukulele, Mandolin, Dobro, Banjo, Bass


Comments By Former Students

Read My Tried & True Teaching Philosphy

If you're in the Corvallis, Oregon area ...

You can take private lessons in my home-studio for $20/ half hour
e-mail: <td@oregrownmusic.com>

Phone: (541) 572-4250  (Leave a voicemail twentyfour/seven.)

You can read about and order instructional materials at this bookstore link.

 
Lessons available 3pm to 7pm, Tuesday thru Thursday,
limited times on Thursday & Friday Mornings.

If you don't live nearby, watch this brief video
to learn how you can still study with me.

Take interactive, live-on-line
lessons!

It's fun! No commitment. Just take "one-lesson-at-a-time".
After each lessson, I simply e-mail you an invoice thru PayPal.
Click the link below to arrange a free consultation
to discuss your goals & I'll demonstrate my methods.


  <td@oregrownmusic.com>

Read Some Comments From Former Students

"Tom Demarest is both a knowledgeable and skilled musician.  I have attended a handful of his live guitar classes over a ten year period beginning in 2001, and he has had the most influential impact on my enjoyment of the guitar."
Tim Cadman
 
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A few years ago I took guitar lessons from u.  Your methodology was complete and thorough and I enjoyed the process.  I found u to be an enjoyable instructor with patience and understanding and a willingness to listen and alter lessons to suite my needs.  I would highly recommend your services to all levels of players!  Jim Wigington
 
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Tom has patiently guided me through my very first attempts to play a guitar ...a mix of theory, practice and of course tone have been gently tutored. Of course learning an instrument isn't easy but Tom is making it fun.

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I continue to play and love it. You were my first teacher, so I will always be appreciative of everything I learned from you.
 
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I started taking acoustic guitar lessons from Tom in 2012 and continue to the present.  I had never really played the guitar or an instrument and through taking lessons from Tom I learned how to play confidently, gained a solid foundation in theory and I was able to play guitar in my classroom enabling me to enrich music education for young children.  I also had fun!
 
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Tom has patiently guided me through my very first attempts to play a guitar ...a mix of theory, practice and of course tone have been gently tutored. Of course learning an instrument isn't easy but Tom is making it fun.
 
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"Tom's patient methods helped me to understand not only how to play chords and create rhythms, but he really emphasized the theory of what makes up the structure in music.  This was and is, an invaluable tool for anyone wanting to learn to play the guitar."
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When I told my grandfather that I wanted to play the banjo, all he could say was, “You couldn’t even play the recorder in elementary school, how are you going to play the banjo!”  He was right.  If you could fail elementary school music, I would have.  After a month with Tom, I was actually switching chords, and better yet I could understand some actual music theory.  When I told my grandfather this, all he could say was, “That man must be a miracle worker.”  After several more months of working with Tom, I believe my grandfather on this one.

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I had played guitar for many years but wanted a better understanding of the theory behind music.  Tom quickly brought me up to speed with music theory, and the group classes that he organizes are a terrific way to learn the common guitar keys, chord progressions, and how to play with other musicians.  Highly recommended!

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"Guitar lessons with Tom are fun!"

"Guitar lessons are tailored to the types of music I like and my abilities."

"I am a better guitar player because of Tom."

"I look forward to each lesson because they are instructive and enjoyable."

"Tom provides excellent guidance in a relaxed atmosphere without any pressure."

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I continue to play and love it. You were my first teacher so will always be appreciative of everything I learned from you...

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"Tom has, not only a technical mastery of music theory, but an easy-going, relaxed style that is sensitive to the needs of each student from the skilled to the complete novice.  Also, his many years as a professional musician, before he instructed me in the late 1990s, brought an an engaging level of experience that added fun to his lessons."

My Philosophy of Instruction is ...
"As-Good-As-It-Gets "
Who is Tom Demarest?


I take a serious, common sense approach to stringed instrument instruction based on
traditional music theory applied to contemporary styles of music.
My unique method has proven to be very successful in addressing what
I believe is what most contemporary players would say is the
most valuable thing they want to get from taking lessons ...

"I want to learn to play what I want to play
the way I want to play it!"

"I want to understand what I'm doing and
why I'm doing it!"


You will find helpful information via my method,  no matter
what style of music you wish to pursue regardless of the
skill level at which you are presently functioning .
The concept of applying traditional, classical theory to contemporary
music may seem like a contradiction, but I have found it to be
the fastest, most effective method of learning.

No matter whether you are wanting to play...
rock, folk, blues, country, jazz, bluegrass, reggae or
" alternative-punk-grunge with a funkadelic twist"... theory applies.

In short... in order to have fun playing, a universal goal of all musicians,
one must get serious.


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