My 40+ years of experience have given me a unique empathy to understand how my students think and process. Monthly tuition is $220 for four private 30 min weekly sessions. My teaching hours are Monday through Friday from 1-6p Pacific Time. I'm looking for serious students who can take at least 15 min daily to focus on guitar.
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16 customer reviews
Dan Grote
Todd has been an incredible guitar teacher for both me and my 11-year-old son, Liam, over the past four years. Working with him weekly has not only helped us grow tremendously in our skills but has also deepened our love for music.
Todd is much more than a guitar teacher—he’s a mentor, a coach, and now a good friend.
He’s extremely knowledgeable, with an impressive ability to teach at any skill level. He’s also incredibly patient and encouraging, which has been so important, especially for Liam. Todd takes the time to tailor each lesson to our interests and goals, making every session both productive and enjoyable. His reliability and professionalism have been consistent throughout the years, and his passion for music is truly inspiring.
If you’re looking for a guitar teacher who will not only teach you to play but also foster your confidence and creativity, Todd is the person you want. I couldn’t recommend him more highly!
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Reply from Dr. Todd's Zen Music
It's been an honor to participate with you both in your musical journey! I look forward to staying in touch. Thanks Dan!
Mike
Any guitar teacher can teach you songs. Todd teaches you proper fundamentals and techniques that allow you to take your playing to the next level. He definitely delivers the Zen!
Minda R.
Guitar Lessons
Dr. Todd makes learning guitar much easier even though he is giving you all the technicalities you need. He gives you interesting songs that help you work the techniques you are practicing so you have some achievements each week. Soon you realize you are actually putting things together in ways you weren’t able to before. I enjoy practicing in a way I didn’t before, and I can hang in there with my boyfriend when he plays! More...
Luke
Todd’s the best! He’s taken my playing to levels I didn’t think possible!
Shaun
My two children started taking lessons from Dr. Todd more than 6 years ago. He is an extraordinary teacher, and I can confidently say that my kids’ experience has been nothing short of outstanding.
From the very first lesson, it was evident that Todd is not just passionate about music but is also genuinely dedicated to nurturing the musical abilities of his students.
He has an exceptional ability to tailor lessons to individual needs and learning styles. He possesses a natural understanding of his students' strengths and weaknesses, enabling him to craft personalized lesson plans that maximize progress and growth. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player seeking to refine your skills, Todd has an innate ability to meet you at your level and guide you towards new heights.
Learning a musical instrument can be challenging and at times frustrating, but Todd’s unwavering patience and encouragement creates an environment that is conducive to learning and personal development. He understands that every student progresses at their own pace and he is always there to provide guidance and support, no matter how big or small the hurdle may seem.
I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Todd to anyone seeking to embark on a musical journey or to further their guitar-playing skills. His unmatched dedication, personalized approach, infectious passion, and superb teaching abilities make him an invaluable mentor. Learning from him has been a transformative experience for my kids, and I am forever grateful for the musical guidance and knowledge he has imparted to them.
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Dennis
Todd has been my teacher since I first picked up the guitar more than 6 years ago. I couldn't have asked for a better guide on my musical journey - he is very easy to relate to, is patient and attentive to my musical interests, and knows how to make the learning fun.
I especially appreciate his high standards and rigor when it comes to teaching technique - he has always emphasized the importance of fundamentals, including proper posture and mechanics, and I believe this has helped me develop good playing habits. He also makes great recommendations for music to learn, ensuring that I get a nice mix of fun classics as well as new and challenging pieces that broaden my musical horizons.
As with any musical instruction, it's best if you're in a position to take lessons with Todd in person; that said, Todd handles Zoom teaching quite well. He's flexible with his hours and makes an effort to be available as much as possible, even when he's on the road. I've always appreciated his dedication to his students.
I highly recommend Todd as a teacher!
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Jessica
Guitar Lessons
Hands down best guitar lesson. Todd is the coolest teacher and a very talented musician. He genuinely made it a point to address my specific needs, areas of improvement, and really spent time focusing on my style of music. Highly recommended! 👍🏻
Reply from Dr. Todd's Zen Music
Awww thanks Jessica you’re really easy to teach because you know what you want from your guitar. Looking forward to watching you blow the room away! 🧘🏽♂️❤️🙏🏽🎸
Kristin Dwyer
Guitar Lessons
Todd has been teaching my 11 year old daughter for a few months now, and he is awesome! He is patient, encouraging, kind, and a really great teacher.
Emily has improved so much in a short time, and she looks forward to her lessons with Todd.
I highly recommend him if you have a younger child who is interested in music. His positive energy is very inspiring!
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Mirela
Todd is very good teacher. I found Todd through Bark looking for guitar lessons for my son. I’m very happy with his lessons and the progress that my son had made, even my son was a beginner and hadn’t played guitar before.
Todd makes the lessons fun and my son is enjoying it. He has learned so much in a short period of time. He has very positive attitude with kids/ teenagers. He is flexible on the schedule as well and worked with us since my son had conflicts with sports schedules.
I would definitely recommend Todd to everyone that would like to learn how to play guitar. He makes it fun even these are on line lessons.
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Dan B
So while I was in charge of booking entertainment at a private Country Club in San Diego California I stumbled across Todd Pyke.
He is an extraordinary musician and I booked him whenever I could. It's not only his musical ability but his ability to work a crowd and keep everyone entertained that is a challenge in itself especially at a private Country Club in San Diego.
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Erik
Todd has been a great teacher. He is very patient and passionate. He makes the lessons fun. He has made me grow a love for guitar. His song choices are excellent and he is just overall a great teacher. He is great at helping me interpret and improve by myself. The weekly lessons have been so much fun and I feel like I have been improving so much over such a small period of time. More...
Madeline
Guitar Lessons
Working with Todd has been amazing! What a fun and engaging human. I originally thought I would just try guitar lessons as something to keep me busy during the pandemic, and wasn't sure whether I would stay with it. But Todd has made our weekly lessons so much fun, and has done an amazing job of tailoring the lessons and song choices to the genres and artists that are most fun for me. He's very comfortable with Facetime lessons, which has been super convenient. (I don't think I would have been able to make time otherwise.) He also has a guitar shop and was able to just mail me the things I needed for the guitar, which was great. More...
Brian
Guitar Lessons
Todd is the best. I have been a musician for 30+ years (trumpet) and have always wanted to learn guitar. Over the years, I had picked up and put it back down more times than I can count. With work and family, it was difficult to commit to something new, so I knew I needed an instructor to keep me focused and hold me accountable, but I was worried that I’d get frustrated given that I already had a foundation in music. Thankfully, I found Todd. Todd is an amazing guitarist, and a wonderful instructor who is patient, knowledgeable, and a great guy. Highly recommended! More...
Jayne Storch
Guitar Lessons
I found Todd via Bark, and I am so thankful. He is very knowledgeable but more importantly he is an excellent teacher who has already helped me improve my technique.
Reply from Dr. Todd's Zen Music
You make my job easy Jayne! Glad to work with you!
Ryan
It would be a difficult task to find a more qualified guitar instructor than Todd Pyke. He is not only skilled as a guitar player with decades of experience, but his dedication to student success and improvement is exceptional. He is generous, patient, caring, and motivated to help students. His expertise combined with his dedication makes learning online with him a total blast.. despite doubts I had that it would be as enjoyable of an experience. Todd has made it not just enjoyable, but life changing for me as someone who has discovered a newfound passion for guitar. I doubt it would have been the same with anyone else. I can’t thank him enough and I highly encourage anyone to sign up! You will not regret it! More...
Kelly
Guitar Lessons
Todd was very helpful and kind.
What do you love most about your job?
I love the work I do. My teaching is what motivates me each day. The connection I make with my students is profound and I take it very seriously knowing their musical development will do so much more for their life and the lives of those around them.
What inspired you to start your own business?
I don't mind being micromanaged by myself. LOL.
Why should our clients choose you?
All styles all levels. I am a musical guru. My 35+ years of experience have given me a unique empathy to understand how my students think and process.
Can you provide your services online or remotely? If so, please add details.
Yes! I have developed a great system for online learning, especially for children.
What changes have you made to keep your customers safe from Covid-19?
Since the Covid pandemic, I have been working exclusively online and enjoying some dramatic results. While there are some drawbacks to not being in the same physical space, some helpful facets in the online venue are a more consistent stream of focus, speaking slow and clear giving students an easier pace to absorb material and concepts, camera angels lend for clear demonstration of techniques.
Instruction, Sales and Repair
I can help you select the appropriate guitar for you. I sell or rent guitars and can do most repair.
With over 35 years of private and group teaching experience I can expedite your musical goals.
I can also teach you how to teach. If you have a child or friend you'd like to instruct allow me to educate you on curriculum and do's and don't's of teaching.
