Hello, my name is Neil Clark. I teach from beginner through to advanced levels in my studio in the Queen West area of downtown Toronto. I also make use of Skype for internet video lessons and consultations. The Skype sessions work best for guitarists who are already familiar with the basics. They also work as an alternative for local students.
I’ve been playing guitar professionally for 26 years beginning in 1984 as the guitarist with Lloyd Cole and the Commotions. If you want to know more you can take a look here or here for my current equipment list.
Regarding my own playing style: I play mostly with a pick in standard tuning. If your picking/plucking hand technique is different – if for instance you use your thumb and/or fingers rather than a pick as many well known players do – I can still teach you because what we do with our fretting hand is the same. I have some profile as an acoustic guitar player because of my work with the Commotions but that acoustic playing was actually all done with a pick in standard tuning. So it’s worth pointing out that I don’t actually teach folk-fingerstyle with alternate tunings or classical guitar. These are specialized areas of playing and although much of what I cover in theory and harmony does overlap with these areas, the playing techniques are different.
I am still a working musician. I compose to a regular schedule in my studio, and play both with the group Sleepers and occasionally as a solo guitarist. I think that dealing with the making of music on a daily basis keeps me fit, both as a player and a teacher. So, please, have a look round this site and if you are ready to commit a little time to your guitar playing email or call me because learning an instrument can be a very rewarding experience.