Get a free trial lesson with Alan

Reputation

Happy Student Score

Outstanding

Reliability

Always reliable ⭐ Shows up on time and ready to teach every lesson. You can count on them.

Average rating

4.8

Nardos m.Verified ✓

•Lessons taken: 14•Verified ✓

Amazing teacher, so kind and patient. I was extremely nervous and he thought me a lot on the first day can’t wait for more lessons. Highly recommend

Jason P

•Lessons taken: 1•

"Alan's guidance has been a game-changer for my guitar journey. I hit a plateau and couldn't find my way forward, but Alan's expertise and personalized approach breathed new life into my playing. His insightful lessons and direction have truly elevated my skills, making a material difference in my musical journey. I'm now more confident and inspired than ever before."

Xandor H

•Lessons taken: 1•

I highly recommend Alan to anyone seeking a skilled and patient guitar instructor who can effortlessly transform the daunting into the doable. With Alan, the world of guitar becomes an exciting journey of discovery, thanks to his talent for making the seemingly complex, delightfully simple.

Marybeth F

•Lessons taken: 1•

"Alan's teachings as my Zen guitar instructor have been transformative. His approach goes beyond chords and notes; he taught me to truly listen. Suddenly, everything clicked, and the journey became effortlessly harmonious. Grateful for the zen wisdom he brings to music education."

Karen H

•Lessons taken: 1•

"Alan's passion for the guitar has opened up a new world of musical possibilities for me. His guidance on open tunings and capo techniques has enriched my playing, allowing me to explore the instrument in ways I never thought possible. I am grateful!"

Nick T.

•Lessons taken: 1•

I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to learn guitar from Alan. His teaching style is truly exceptional, as he possesses a remarkable ability to break down complex musical concepts into simple and easy-to-understand lessons.

Guitar with Alan P.⭑ 4.8 (18 reviews)

How it works

Beginner training plan

Your first lessonFoundation & Flow We’ll start with comfort and orientation: holding the guitar, basic right- and left-hand mechanics, posture, tuning, and simple rhythm patterns that make music immediately. You’ll finish the session able to play simple chord changes with confidence.

Lesson 11+Developing Style & Ear Now we move from following to creating. You’ll learn ear-training basics, how to find chords by sound, transpose songs, and explore simple improvisation. We’ll touch on lead playing, musical phrasing, and performance polish—building a foundation for your lifelong musicianship.

Lesson 4-10Playing Music, Not Exercises You’ll learn to play complete songs, explore basic fingerstyle, and start reading chord charts and tablature. These lessons build self-sufficiency: understanding progressions, timing, and how to play musically with others. The goal is fluency—knowing what to reach for and why.

Lesson 2-3Chords & Rhythm We’ll build your first song structures—open-position chords, strumming dynamics, and rhythmic awareness. You’ll learn to move cleanly between chords and begin hearing how harmony supports melody.

Advanced training plan

Your first lessonMapping the Neck We start by redefining your relationship with the instrument. You’ll learn to see the fretboard as an integrated field—intervals, patterns, and melodic pathways in clear visual logic.

Lesson 4-10The Unified Field This is where the whole instrument becomes transparent: connecting scales, arpeggios, and chords into a single mental map. You’ll learn melodic navigation, harmonic substitution, and voice-leading that turns knowledge into artistry.

Lesson 2-3Spread-Shell Voicings & Motion We’ll expand your chord vocabulary with spread voicings and inversions that open new harmonic colors. You’ll discover how to move economically, making the guitar sound larger with less effort.

Cancellation Policy

We totally understand that life can be unpredictable and plans might change. That's why we've got your back with our flexible cancellation policy, designed to give you peace of mind when booking private sports lessons with our awesome local instructors!

If you need to cancel your lesson, no worries! You can get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of making your booking. We want to make the process as hassle-free as possible for you.

And if you simply want to reschedule your lesson, change the date and time, or adjust the number of students joining, we've got you covered there too. You can easily make these changes within 24 hours of booking, and up to 72 hours before your lesson starts.

Our goal is to make your experience smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. So go ahead and book with confidence, knowing that we're here to accommodate your needs every step of the way!

Guitar lessons with

Alan Patten

From$54 per lesson

•

Guitar lessons with

Alan Patten

From$54 per lesson

•

Happy Student Score

Outstanding

•

This coach is very reliable and responsive. Students are very satisfied and regularly return for more lessons.

Coach Rating

4.8•18 reviews

Happy Student Score

Outstanding

•

This coach is very reliable and responsive. Students are very satisfied and regularly return for more lessons.

Coach Rating

4.8•18 reviews

About your guitar coach

I’m a lifelong guitarist who’s learned the economics of the fretboard—how to say more with less. Over decades of performance, arranging, and teaching, I’ve come to see the guitar not as a maze of shapes but as a unified field of melody, harmony, and movement. My lessons are for intermediate players who want to stop memorizing and start understanding: to connect patterns, find melodic pathways, and unlock their own voice.

👋

Teaches: Kids, Teenagers, Adults, Seniors

🌱

Levels: Intermediates, Experts

📍

Lives in: Piedmont, California

🎓

Years Playing: Not specified

🔥

Given: 21 lessons

Alan's availability

Find a location and time that works for you

Alan's availability

Find a location and time that works for you

Montclair Park

Free

2096.6 miles away

Temescal Regional Recreation Area

Free

2097.2 miles away

Availability on all locations

Near Piedmont, California

No availability for this date

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We can suggest similar coaches or arrange a different spot (even at home)

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Accomplishments

➕Provides equipment

➕Travels to you

Certifications & Badges

🎓10+ Years Teaching

Specializations

🎸Pop

🎸Electric

🎸Rock

🎸Metal

Get a free trial lesson with Alan

Reputation

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Cancellation Policy

Alan Patten

Alan Patten

About your guitar coach

Alan's availability

Alan's availability

Montclair Park

Temescal Regional Recreation Area

Accomplishments

Certifications & Badges

Specializations