photo by Derek Leka
I teach the art of making music
with the guitar.
Lessons are Virtual only.
email me: derekleka@gmail.com to get the conversation rolling.
About myself,
Derek Leka MFA, BFA
20 years teaching experience.
38 years playing the guitar.
My experience begins in my childhood at my fathers recording studio on a Neve board and 2" tape. I have used everything in the studio since then as the technology has changed.
I have written and recorded music, performed on stage, and fine tuned my own personal voice and vision.
I was also a serious fine artist for 20 years creating geometric color constructivist paintings. My time locked away in my painting studio, endlessly shifting around colors and squares, gives me a unique experiential approach to playing, creating, writing, recording, producing, and performing music!
Teaching Guitar
I teach electric and acoustic guitar.
I teach beginner, intermediate, and advanced students.
You will always have a private one on one lesson with me, as I am the only teacher. All lessons are unique and personalized to your needs and musical goals. You will be inspired to practice, learn, and grow as a musician. I work with adults. Your lesson experience will be positive, rewarding, and the best you'll find anywhere.
The guitar is the most collectively played instrument on the planet. When you choose to play the guitar you join this world wide club of fellow artists, musicians, and creators. Welcome to the club, it's a good club!
photo by Derek Leka
FAQ's
Q: How much are lessons?
A: Lessons are billed monthly for however many lesson days there are in that particular calendar month, and for 2025 are
$65 for 45 minutes, which is the preferred tier.
I also offer 30 minute lessons for $45
and 1 hour lessons for $85.
Q: Why a 45 minute lesson
A: Sometimes an hour is too long and a half hour is not enough. The 45 minute spot is perfect for many students and offers a price break vs. one hour.
Q: Do you do drop in lessons?
A: I do not offer drop in lessons. Lessons are month to month and billed monthly, due by the last lesson of the previous month.
Q: Do I need a guitar?
A: Yes, you will be expected to have your own adequate and appropriate guitar that is available for daily practice between lessons. This can be an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar. Both require a pick. An electric guitar will require a small amp and a 1/4" guitar cord. An entry level version of the above guitar options are available at any guitar store at a reasonable price which is so so in quality. It may take one to two years for you to outgrow this initial investment . . . and you will. Once your skill set goes from beginner to intermediate, an entry level guitar and/or amp will no longer sustain you, and will actually hinder your progress. Further, if you plan on playing in a band, you will require gear that is middle quality at the minimum. The investment into a performance quality guitar and appropriate amplification will get pricey.
Q: Is there a book?
A: Though I have written two guitar books they are not a requirement nor is there any other book required. You will need something to write on by hand, see below.
Q: What do I need for the first guitar lesson?
A: You need your guitar and a pick. If going electric, you need a small amp and a 1/4" guitar cord. You need a lined paper pad and a drawing pad 9" x 12" with medium to heavy weight paper. The Canson XL drawing pad, 60 pages 70 lb is great, roughly $10. You also need a pencil, a hand sharpener, and a pink pearl eraser. You need a tuner and a metronome. There are many free tuners and free metronomes for your smart phone or tablet. We can discuss those during your first lesson. After the first lesson and I teach you how to tune, or if you are beyond beginner and already know, please be ready for your lesson each week with a properly tuned guitar.
Q: At what age do you start music lessons for children?
A: Although some schools and teachers say 5 or 6 is appropriate, in my experience 10 is a better age for beginning guitar. At present I am taking adult students only.
Q: How long to learn the guitar?
A: To go from nothing to playing something can happen fast, some 3 to 6 weeks. Playing songs well, will take months to a year. A more appropriate answer is related to your goal. For instance you want to play in a band, with a proper practice routine, I'm going to say 1 to 2 years depending on the music. To discover and develop your unique voice, I want to say 4 to 5 years. There is a reciprocal relationship between the music you want to play, what you need to learn, and how much practice is required.
Q: Do I need to learn music theory?
A: Yes, and you will. The music you want to play will determine the amount of music theory you need to learn. I will teach you the theory you need to get along wherever your music is taking you.
Q: What if I don't know what I want to do musically?
A: You don't have to know nor should you. You will arrive to lessons wherever you are in your musical journey. As you progress you will be exposed to many sounds. Your tastes will change most likely more than once. Discovering and developing your unique voice is one of your goals whether you realize that or not. When you pick up an instrument, you want to make a sound. What is that sound? There is a sound in your head. Over time it will come out in your playing, writing, and performing. If you are open to that idea, you will find your sound. It takes time. Another way to answer that question is, there are many technical basics to learn and master for you to function even at the minimum level as a musician. During that time of learning and exploration, your musical tastes and passions will fluctuate regularly.
Q: What are the practice requirements?
A: You are making a substantial investment of time, money, and sacrifice into this enterprise. 30 minutes of practice daily, five days per week is the minimum if you expect to see results.
Q: Can I learn the music I like?
A: Yes you can and will. Your lessons are tailored around the music you want to play. You are encouraged to share music with me that you desire to learn or explore.
Q: What is the benefit of virtual lessons?
A: The distance between us, 99% of the time, is further than one can reasonably drive. I am in the states and I, as a student, took lessons from Quebec using Skype once a week for over a year, I took lessons from Germany for a month, and I took lessons from Spain for a month. VIRTUAL LESSONS ARE AWESOME!!!!! I don't understand why anyone would do in person lessons. Once you try it, you'll never go back. Further, you take your lesson in the comfort of your own home. You don't drive somewhere using up more valuable time getting stuck in traffic, missing your lesson. Your not in a tight multi use lesson room that is barely six by six feet, that is stuffed with two full size keyboards, four amplifiers, two chairs, two music stands, no air conditioning, those rooms feel like they're 150 degrees and they are far from sound proof. You won't have to share your precious time and money having your personalized lesson interrupted by the rock concert volume of the drum lesson happening right in the adjacent room that is on two full size acoustic drum kits. If you're a parent bringing your child to lessons, you won't have to spend the time driving to the lesson, in addition finding out the teacher is a half hour behind schedule due to them arriving late due to traffic, waiting an additional hour for your child's lesson to finish then drive back home all during heavy rush hour traffic again. I haven't mentioned the snow and ice! There is no need for an in person lesson. I personally wouldn't. I can and have taken lessons from anyone I want in the world as long as I can afford them and the time difference allows it to happen.
Q: How much are lessons?
A: Lessons are billed monthly for however many lesson days there are in that particular calendar month, and for 2025 are
$65 for 45 minutes, which is the preferred tier.
I also offer 30 minute lessons for $45
and 1 hour lessons for $85.
Q: Why a 45 minute lesson
A: Sometimes an hour is too long and a half hour is not enough. The 45 minute spot is perfect for many students and offers a price break vs. one hour.
Q: Do you do drop in lessons?
A: I do not offer drop in lessons. Lessons are month to month and billed monthly, due by the last lesson of the previous month.
Q: Do I need a guitar?
A: Yes, you will be expected to have your own adequate and appropriate guitar that is available for daily practice between lessons. This can be an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar. Both require a pick. An electric guitar will require a small amp and a 1/4" guitar cord. An entry level version of the above guitar options are available at any guitar store at a reasonable price which is so so in quality. It may take one to two years for you to outgrow this initial investment . . . and you will. Once your skill set goes from beginner to intermediate, an entry level guitar and/or amp will no longer sustain you, and will actually hinder your progress. Further, if you plan on playing in a band, you will require gear that is middle quality at the minimum. The investment into a performance quality guitar and appropriate amplification will get pricey.
Q: Is there a book?
A: Though I have written two guitar books they are not a requirement nor is there any other book required. You will need something to write on by hand, see below.
Q: What do I need for the first guitar lesson?
A: You need your guitar and a pick. If going electric, you need a small amp and a 1/4" guitar cord. You need a lined paper pad and a drawing pad 9" x 12" with medium to heavy weight paper. The Canson XL drawing pad, 60 pages 70 lb is great, roughly $10. You also need a pencil, a hand sharpener, and a pink pearl eraser. You need a tuner and a metronome. There are many free tuners and free metronomes for your smart phone or tablet. We can discuss those during your first lesson. After the first lesson and I teach you how to tune, or if you are beyond beginner and already know, please be ready for your lesson each week with a properly tuned guitar.
Q: At what age do you start music lessons for children?
A: Although some schools and teachers say 5 or 6 is appropriate, in my experience 10 is a better age for beginning guitar. At present I am taking adult students only.
Q: How long to learn the guitar?
A: To go from nothing to playing something can happen fast, some 3 to 6 weeks. Playing songs well, will take months to a year. A more appropriate answer is related to your goal. For instance you want to play in a band, with a proper practice routine, I'm going to say 1 to 2 years depending on the music. To discover and develop your unique voice, I want to say 4 to 5 years. There is a reciprocal relationship between the music you want to play, what you need to learn, and how much practice is required.
Q: Do I need to learn music theory?
A: Yes, and you will. The music you want to play will determine the amount of music theory you need to learn. I will teach you the theory you need to get along wherever your music is taking you.
Q: What if I don't know what I want to do musically?
A: You don't have to know nor should you. You will arrive to lessons wherever you are in your musical journey. As you progress you will be exposed to many sounds. Your tastes will change most likely more than once. Discovering and developing your unique voice is one of your goals whether you realize that or not. When you pick up an instrument, you want to make a sound. What is that sound? There is a sound in your head. Over time it will come out in your playing, writing, and performing. If you are open to that idea, you will find your sound. It takes time. Another way to answer that question is, there are many technical basics to learn and master for you to function even at the minimum level as a musician. During that time of learning and exploration, your musical tastes and passions will fluctuate regularly.
Q: What are the practice requirements?
A: You are making a substantial investment of time, money, and sacrifice into this enterprise. 30 minutes of practice daily, five days per week is the minimum if you expect to see results.
Q: Can I learn the music I like?
A: Yes you can and will. Your lessons are tailored around the music you want to play. You are encouraged to share music with me that you desire to learn or explore.
Q: What is the benefit of virtual lessons?
A: The distance between us, 99% of the time, is further than one can reasonably drive. I am in the states and I, as a student, took lessons from Quebec using Skype once a week for over a year, I took lessons from Germany for a month, and I took lessons from Spain for a month. VIRTUAL LESSONS ARE AWESOME!!!!! I don't understand why anyone would do in person lessons. Once you try it, you'll never go back. Further, you take your lesson in the comfort of your own home. You don't drive somewhere using up more valuable time getting stuck in traffic, missing your lesson. Your not in a tight multi use lesson room that is barely six by six feet, that is stuffed with two full size keyboards, four amplifiers, two chairs, two music stands, no air conditioning, those rooms feel like they're 150 degrees and they are far from sound proof. You won't have to share your precious time and money having your personalized lesson interrupted by the rock concert volume of the drum lesson happening right in the adjacent room that is on two full size acoustic drum kits. If you're a parent bringing your child to lessons, you won't have to spend the time driving to the lesson, in addition finding out the teacher is a half hour behind schedule due to them arriving late due to traffic, waiting an additional hour for your child's lesson to finish then drive back home all during heavy rush hour traffic again. I haven't mentioned the snow and ice! There is no need for an in person lesson. I personally wouldn't. I can and have taken lessons from anyone I want in the world as long as I can afford them and the time difference allows it to happen.
photo by Derek Leka
Terms and Conditions/Agreement
By booking a lesson, you agree to all the terms and conditions/agreement.
Terms and Conditions/Agreement:
A yearly registration fee of $35 is due before your first lesson (and on each successive years anniversary), along with a signed agreement and the first months lesson dues which will be based on the remaining available lesson slots for that month at the per lesson minutes rate.
~ $65 for 45 minutes ~ Tier 1
~ $45 for 30 minutes ~ Tier 2
~ $85 for 60 minutes ~ Tier 3
Lessons payments are billed for however many lesson days there are in that particular calendar month. Payment is due on or before the last lesson of each month for the next month’s lessons. If payment is not received on or before the last lesson of the current month, your lesson time will not be held for the following month. It is important to make payment in order to keep your time slot secure.
Holidays:
There are no lessons on the following dates for 2024
March 11th - 15th
November 4th - 8th
November 22nd - 29th
December 20th - January 3rd 2025
There are no lessons on the following dates for 2025
January 1st - 3rd
March 11th - 17th
November 3rd - 7th
November 24th -28th
December 22nd - January 2nd
Rescheduling:
There are no cancellations, only reschedules. If you do not reschedule, you forfeit the fee for that lesson.
24-hour advance notice is required to be eligible for a reschedule. Rescheduling of a lesson must be done 24 hours ahead of the scheduled time slot by phone and voice message only, no text or email. A reschedule may be done within the same month and can be on a day that is mutually agreed upon by the student and myself. Canceling a rescheduled lesson forfeits that lesson.
Cancellations made with less than 24-hour notice will not qualify for a reschedule lesson. This includes being sick the day of a scheduled lesson.
Once a rescheduled lesson is agreed upon and confirmed it cannot be further rescheduled.
Reschedules are not to be rolled over to future months.
If a student misses three consecutive weeks without a rescheduled lesson, that student forfeits their scheduled lesson time. I do understand there are certain extenuating circumstances that do come up, and I will try to work within those circumstances to help you.
NO refunds or credit for unused, cancelled, or no show lessons.
In case of technical problems during the lesson (bad connection, gear issues, etc.) your lesson will be rescheduled at no extra cost, for the first available slot.
photo by Derek Leka
All images and site content are copyright protected © Derek Leka
Links to Books I have written:
Click on each title to goto Apple Bookstore
Click on each title to goto Apple Bookstore
Luminous Matter Music Publishing LLC