Guitar & Vocal Instruction

I give music lessons at my home in Pegram and via Skype. I will also bring lessons to your home for an extra $5 per lesson.

Beginner Guitar

We start with the basics of playing the guitar. You will learn how to:

  • hold, string, and tune your guitar
  • understand rhythm and pitch
  • read and use a time signature
  • play simple melodies while reading music
  • play steadily with your strumming hand
  • smoothly play commonly used chords in standard keys
  • how to identify chord structure patterns of simple songs
  • how to use a capo

30 minute sessions:  Single: $30  Series of four: $100
50 minute sessions:  Single: $40  Series of four: $140

Rhythm Guitar by Ear

This course is for women and girls who have had a little experience with a guitar and want to put it to use. You will learn:

  • chord families for all major singing keys
  • how to maintain a steady beat
  • how to understand time and play in different “feels”
  • how to hear and walk simple bass lines
  • how to choose the right key for your voice
  • how to read and write a chord chart
  • how to use the Nashville Number System
  • how to construct simple but interesting arrangements
  • lots and lots and lots of songs

30 minute sessions:  Single: $30  Series of four: $100
50 minute sessions:  Single: $40  Series of four: $140

Warm Up to Blast Off

This is a private, two-part workshop to help you become a stronger, more precise singer. Highly effective, fast and simple, this warm-up method will help you have outstanding pitch and control, and all the air you will ever need every time you sing. It’s a progressive study for men and women who love to sing but would like more confidence and power in their performance.

  • Week 1: why you should warm up before you sing; the order of attention; how to practice intervals and scales; taking care of your vocal chords; body breathing; exercises to build and conserve air
  • Week 2: accurate pitch; how to clear and stretch your resonance chamber; exercises to increase and lower your volume; create a personal 10-minute warm-up routine

Two two-hour sessions: $100

Bring a friend: 10% multiple student discount.

Lesson Appointments

You can call 615-662-5577 to schedule a lesson. Please arrive on time. Sessions are meant to be 25-30 minutes long or 45-50 minutes long, starting on at the scheduled appointment time. Please come prepared to make your next appointment at the end of each session.

Payment Policy

Payment for lessons is due in advance, by cash or check. Payment can also be made by debit or credit card at Paypal.com. Advance payments are non-refundable.

Rescheduling a Lesson

To build on what you learn, each session should follow another in a timely fashion. Momentum is particularly important in the process of learning to play a musical instrument. Putting too much time between lessons can interfere with your progress. However, we understand that sometimes things happen beyond your control. Rescheduling requires a minimum of 24 hours advance notice. Please do not ask to reschedule more than one lesson out of each four lesson series.

Missed Lessons

Missed appointments will result in forfeiture of payment for the scheduled session.

Susie Coleman is a web designer based just west of Nashville, Tennessee. A desktop publisher of newsletters, workbooks and CD packaging since 1987, Susie began her study of web design in 2001 when she enrolled in HTML and CSS classes at the Nashville Institute of Technology. She started her own design business in 2004, specializing in helping small businesses and inspired individuals compete in the online marketplace.

A lifelong musician, Susie is also a rhythm guitar and vocal teacher. She is writing a series of songbooks for women entitled Fabulous Folksongs Every Girl Should Know.