Victor Skidanenko

Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Ukulele, and Bass Lessons

© Victor Skidanenko 2019

My goal is to help students find joy in playing music, and reach their musical goals, whether it be joining a band, jamming with friends, or just being able to play songs on at home for personal enjoyment.  My lessons are designed to make learning music fun while teaching the techniques and knowledge you need to succeed, to play the music you want to play.

I teach children (age 6 or older) and adults of all ages and levels, including adult beginners.  It's never too late to start learning!  All my lessons include music theory.

Guitar: I teach acoustic and electric guitar from complete beginners to advanced students. Lessons can focus on basics, or your choice of styles including Country, Blues, Rock, Swing and Bluegrass guitar.  My lessons cover proper technique and skills such as rhythm playing, walking bass lines, soloing, scales, chord progressions, and singing and playing.  For beginners, lessons start with learning simple songs and then progress learning harder pieces, with many famous songs along the way.

Banjo:  Banjo for beginners to very advanced players. Beginner lessons start with basics of Three-finger Bluegrass banjo playing, including leads, backups, instrumental tunes, and soloing, lessons for intermediate and advanced players, can explore the tricks and solos of the great players such as Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Don Reno and Bill Keith. As we progress, we will learn how to both play music by ear and read tabs, and get you playing music with other musicians!

Mandolin:   I offer Bluegrass Mandolin lessons for students of all levels.  Beginner lessons will cover the basics of playing leads, accompaniments, and chords, playing both by ear and using tabs, and eventually get you playing music with other musicians. I also teach beginning Celtic mandolin.

Ukulele:  My Ukulele lessons are for beginners, lessons include technique, and playing melodies, backups, and chords.  For children I use the book Alfred's Kid's Ukulele Course 1, and for adults, Hal Leonard Play Ukulele today.  I also teach Hawaiian and Americana/Folk/Bluegrass songs for Ukulele.

Bass: I offer Electric Bass lessons for beginners, using the Hal Leonard Bass Method book.  My lessons include technique, timing, reading tab and notation, and playing by ear.  I mostly play Rock and Country bass myself, and can teach many songs in those styles, as well as how to play as part of a group or band.

Lesson Information

Cancellation Policy and Vacations

I have a 24 hour cancellation policy, which is 24 hours notice is required to cancel a lesson without paying except in the case of sudden illness.  If 24 hours notice of cancellation is not given, the lesson must still be paid for.

The lessons are available for children age six or older, and adults of all ages. I accept payment of cash,check, card, Venmo, or Paypal on a lesson by lesson basis or lessons paid monthly at the beginning of each month. I offer lessons either at a regular weekly time, or on a by appointment basis.

I do not generally take holidays off, and will be teaching on holidays unless I inform students that lessons are cancelled, so if you want to skip a lesson for a holiday, you still need to cancel your lesson.  The cancellation policy applies to all holidays that I am working.

When on vacation for two weeks or more, or missing two or more weeks, I require students to pay in advance for the next lesson in order for me to hold their time slot.

Lesson Rate

$30 for a half hour lesson

$40 for a 45 minute lesson

Payments can be made through

PayPal

Lessons can be held through

Skype or Zoom