Bay Area Music Instruction

I’ve had a few guitar teachers in my 20 years of playing and Gary is easily the best. There isn’t even a close second. He is able to work with all skill levels and is brilliant at it. I would charge more if I were him.

Gary is hands down, flat out awesome! My son has been taking guitar lessons with Gary for a little over a year and a half. Gary is absolutely as good as it gets. Gary tailors each lesson specifically for my son and his level of guitar playing and his interest in terms of genre of music. Gary is funny, kind, patient and really great with kids. He helps my son feel good about what he’s accomplished and challenges him just enough to keep him going and getting him to do more. Gary also helped us with our 1^st guitar purchase: selection based on my son’s size and hand strength and recently helped us purchase his newest guitar since my son outgrew his first. Gary was very kind in helping us find the best guitar that not only fit my son’s size, but also met my son’s stylistic needs of a «cool looking guitar». I cannot say enough kind or complimentary things about Gary as a person or an instructor. My son is so lucky to be able to spend time each week with Gary to learn guitar.

Gary at Bay Area Music Instruction has just been a godsend for me. I’ve been taking Lessons for 3 months now. I’ve gone from absolute neophyte on the guitar to someone who has developed a constant wonder at its complexity. Gary and I were going over some wonder chord progressions of «All of Me» when BAM!!! lightning stuck and it was just an Epiphany. Suddenly the need to really UNDERSTAND the music struck me. Gary is just phenomenal in his patience… «3^rd string chuck, 3^rd string»… Gary doesn’t just teach the guitar, he teaches music, feeling and how to absorb what you are doing on the guitar. If you want to learn guitar to just play the latest metal or popular song… there are others that will give you the music and say «here go play this»… but if you want to know the fretboard, to be able to figure out chord progressions on your own and be able to play with proper technique and feel then you’ve found him.

Gary is a superb guitarist and a great teacher. He is patient, experienced and versatile in his teaching. His lessons are tailored to accent your strength while letting you overcome your weaknesses. He individualizes the lessons to your preference and style of music. During my first session with him, he ended up teaching me a song from a famous Ethiopian singer, which is the style of music I often play and listen too. I was hooked from that moment on and I have been going to him for guitar lessons ever since. We have now moved on to blues, jazz and other genre of music.
I am confident with his teaching and direction I will master this great musical instrument one day. If you desire learning how to play guitar and are looking for a one on one lesson Bay Area Music Instruction (BAMI) is the place to be.
Sammy

I am 42 and have never played an instrument; luckily I found Gary. He is patient and not afraid of my total ignorance of music and clumsiness on the guitar. It has been just 6 months since I started with him and I can see real progress. I see 12 year old and 50 year olds coming and going from his studio too. He keeps me interested in new things with almost every lesson and also takes my input on what I want to learn next.
He also gently pointed out that my guitar was not quite right for me and not that great of a guitar, really. He went to great pains to assure me that he was not «selling» me something but the fact of the matter is he has a small stock of awesome guitars by Grodin out of Montréal. I showed the acoustic Seagull to friends who play and they raved about it and guessed more than twice the price I actually paid for it. Gary really knows guitar and he has a smooth style of teaching. You won’t be disappointed.

Gary Valeriani — What can one say about this guy?
What about:
Eddie Gomez Fixed His Fiat.
Joe Pass helped him buy a guitar.
He used to get backstage at the vangaurd with Bill Evans.
He was Sammy Davis Jr’s guitarist (He even was invited to his Bday party).
He studied under some of the New York jazz improv greats.
If you are looking to get into guitar, bone up on your improv skills, or hear some great old NY scene stories then BAMI is the right spot to check out.
Metal, Rock, Jazz, Folk, whatever. It’s all good. There is no better.