Mark Abbott

Performer & Guitar Instructor - Raleigh North Carolina

Interested in Theory, Scales, Modes, Chord Construction,

Composition, Improvisation,

Sight Reading, or Ear Training?

Teaching Background

Over the past 20+ years, I have taught thousands of students how to excel on guitar and bass.
Students are prepared with the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in the music industry and as performers.

Many students come to me having studied and played for a long time but feel overwhelmed and confused by music theory.

-I Can Fix That

Others have come to me with a feeing of being stuck in a rut. They are looking to progress in their undertanding and creative playing abilities.

-I Can Fix That Too

My students have gone on to play in professional bands, record albums, and also become successful music teachers.

Recently, a student of mine, Daniel Himebauch set the world guitar speed record by playing Flight of the Bumblebee at 1300 beats per minute. Daniel and I work together on theory, scales, chord construction, improvisation, and composition.

Lesson Pricing and Locations

I teach at numerous musical schools throughout the region and at my home studio.
I am also available for private lessons in your home.

Please contact me for specific rate information.

Lesson Plans

I offer a wide range of choices from beginner to advanced. Most students concentrate in a specific genre such as blues, rock, funk, country, bluegrass, or jazz.

Beginner lessons focus on teaching simple melodies and learning basic open chords. The goal is to get a student to play simple songs as soon as possible. We then proceed to learn moveable chords, scales and their applications.

Intermediate lessons increases your knowldge of chords demonstrating specific techniques and styles of ryhtym guitar. For example, we will learn to use chords in a rock, blues, funk, or jazz context.

You will learn to understand and apply scales such as the major and minor pentatonic, blues scales, and the application of modes. Special attention is given on how to harmonize scales into diatonic chord progressions.

Advanced lessons include:

• A comprehensive study of chord construction.
• Triads, four part chords, spread voicing, and close voicings.
• The inversion and substitution of chords.
• An in depth study of scales.
• Playing scales in multiple positions.
• Modes and Harmonization of Harmonic and Melodic Minor Scales.
• Diminished scales, whole tone scales, altered dominant scales and how to apply them.

We can also cover the melodic sequencing of scales and the utilization diatonic and non-diatonic arpeggios. Additional techniques include approach notes and passing tones tension and resolution.

Professional Service, Courtesy, ...!