Guitar Lessons
794-4952 rleeds@cableone.net
About Me
I've played in several successful bands around town. My latest was a bluegrass band Goulash. We opened up for several big name acts as they traveled through the treasure valley and played the main stage of the River Festival when it was still going. I've done commercial work for Idaho Public Television and several projects for (NIFC). Here is a picture of me holding a Custom Telecaster made by John Bolin. It was made to raise money for the National Firefighters Foundation. I used it to compose music for the 2010 Refresher Training Video used by Firefighters all around the country. History
Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, I moved here when I was nineteen. I've lived in the Treasure Valley area now for over twenty years. I started playing when I was about thirteen and basically taught my self. I was self motivated and always have been. By that I mean I didn't have formal lessons when I was growing up, I just wanted to play the guitar. After many years of playing in Rock Bands (primarily Electric Guitar) I turned to playing acoustic music. I wanted to be able to play guitar without a band behind me and play some different more challenging music. I started finger picking on the Acoustic Guitar then moved to playing the Banjo. I started teaching at Hartz Music in Meridian ID and then branched out even further learning Jazz, Western Swing, and Flatt picking Fiddle Tunes. Teaching has made me very versatile and given me a much better understanding of the instruments I play and music in general. I would say it's my patience and versatility that has made me a good teacher. Not to mention the drive I possess to keep learning new things all the time. I am a firm believer in being creative with your instrument and I try to impress that upon all my students. Although I didn't start myself with an instructor I know that If I had I would have learned much faster. As with many guitar players after years of learning on my own and wanting to know more I started really educating myself as to what I had been doing for so many years. I found out first hand what an instructor could do for you. I have Advanced Theory Lessons from three great instructors who influenced me more than I ever thought possible. I look forward to sharing this information and teaching anyone who wants to learn. I truly believe that with hard work and dedication you can learn to do anything. sincerely Ray Leeds
rleeds@cableone.net
