Guitar Lessons in Myrtle Beach
If you want to learn jazz, rock, blues, or fingerstyle guitar and you live in or near Myrtle Beach, SC, I offer guitar lessons to students of all ages and styles. I’m a seasoned musician with expertise in many styles, and I’m a patient, friendly teacher dedicated to helping students develop their own unique style by selecting techniques and approaches that best suit their personality and tastes. I have been teaching guitar lessons for over 24 years. See my article “Why I Love to Teach.”
A Philosophy Rooted in Inspiration and Creativity
My teaching philosophy is founded on the belief that it’s healthy for everyone to be creative and to express themselves musically. My approach has always been to inspire students to realize musical possibilities they might have thought unattainable and to provide a fun atmosphere where they can see real growth. This approach is not just about teaching the person rather than the subject—each lesson is custom-tailored to meet the specific needs of the student, ensuring that no two lessons are the same.
Innovative Teaching That Fits Your Life
My guitar lessons lead on both quality and convenience. We offer learning experiences that are immediately applicable to real-world playing situations. This is because we prioritize content that is most relevant to each student based on their long-term goals, and we explain it in simple terms with a focus on doing rather than just understanding. Additionally, we provide completely hassle-free, flexible scheduling to accommodate today’s busy lifestyles, making it easier for working professionals, college students, teens, younger children, and retirees to find time for music education.
Immutable Laws of Learning
In my lessons, we abide by a few immutable laws: “Swim! We won’t let you sink,” which means at my school, you learn by doing. We focus on a variety of relevant topics that you rotate between, and the learning process is much faster than the traditional linear method of music education. It’s not what you know, it’s what you can do—implementation and integration are key concepts. The former means putting what you learn to immediate use in a variety of contexts, while integration involves connecting new knowledge with familiar
elements.
It’s your divine right to express yourself, which is why we ask for student feedback on their musical priorities and adjust lesson content accordingly. There are so many genres, styles, and approaches to the guitar, and we honor all of them, supporting you as you develop your own unique voice on the instrument.
Community and Performance
At my school, community fosters learning. We emphasize but do not require performance opportunities such as recitals and recordings. To date, we have held five recitals and produced five student albums, the video and audio of which are available under the Free Resources section of our website. These events are not only terrific learning experiences but also allow students to showcase tangible results to their family and friends. We also average two student parties per year, which are open to former and prospective students.
Here is What Dennis’ Students are Saying:
What style of guitar are you interested in learning more about?
Rock Guitar:
Folk Guitar:
Blues Guitar:
Jazz Guitar:
Complete Beginners:
A Masterclass in Musical Expression
Dennis’ personal influences range from Joe Pass to Joe Satriani, reflecting his diverse
musical mastery. As someone who has never taught the same lesson twice, Dennis focuses on drawing out each student’s latent capacities for understanding and living music, rather than stuffing them full of preconceived knowledge. This philosophy is encapsulated in a quote by Nachmanovich: “To educe means to draw out or evoke that which is latent: education then means drawing out the person’s latent capacities for understanding and living, not stuffing him/her full of preconceived knowledge.”
Whether you have taken lessons before or are new to the guitar, you will find that you’re learning useful, practical things in a friendly, relaxed environment. These lessons will either kickstart your guitar journey or elevate your playing to the next level immediately.
Dennis believes that everyone has the ability to express themselves musically—and I’m here to unlock that potential through joyful, personalized, and results-driven instruction.
Here are his four core values:
Creativity as a Birthright – Every student deserves to develop their own musical voice. No cookie-cutter lessons—your goals shape your path.
Growth through Structure and Play – He combines strategic tools like practice trackers and the “geometric method” with creative projects, jam sessions, concerts, and recordings.
Learning by Doing – Dennis emphasizes action over theory, guiding you to apply what you learn in real-world musical settings.
Supportive Community – From group classes to our collaborative events like Student Concerts and Student Albums, we cultivate a warm, encouraging environment where musicians thrive together.
Whether you’re a total beginner or seasoned player, lessons are designed to be clear, relevant, and inspiring. You’re not just learning guitar—you’re joining a musical lifestyle.
Schedule a Free Introductory Guitar Lesson
Experience this unique approach to guitar lessons by scheduling a free introductory lesson with Dennis in person in Myrtle Beach, SC 29582, or on Zoom. Contact Dennis now by calling 917-566-5095 or by clicking ‘contact Dennis’ at the top of this page.
Through these guitar lessons, you’ll discover the joy of music and receive support for your growth and knowledge accordingly. Dennis is of the ‘teach a person to fish’ philosophy and shows his students how to teach themselves, plus the lessons are always hands-on, and the academics of music are only taken in the context of the music itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What ages and levels do you teach?
A: I teach children, teens, and adults—from complete beginners to advanced players seeking to master theory, improvisation, creativity, reading, songwriting, etc.
Q: Do you offer online lessons?
A: Yes! I teach students across the U.S. via Zoom. Many of my students do a hybrid of online and in-person sessions.
Q: What’s your teaching style?
A: I customize each lesson based on the student’s goals. I emphasize creativity, groove, theory, and emotional connection—not just scales and technique.
Q: Do you offer group classes or jam sessions?
A: Yes! I run group classes (like Make Your Own Riffs, Applied Theory, and Ensemble Playing), student jam sessions, an annual student album and an annual student concert.
Q: How do I sign up?
A: Use the contact page to claim a free intro lesson and see if we are good fit for each other.
Online Courses
Dennis currently offers three online music courses for all instruments: