Private Lessons with Matthew Montfort
Hybrid Online/Outdoor In Person Lessons
Online Lessons on Sale Now!
- Over Four Decades of Teaching Experience
- Patient
- Theory for All Instruments
- Technique
- Improvisation for All Instruments
- Rhythm Classes for All Instruments
- Record Production
- Reading Music
- All Levels
- Rock
- Blues
- Jazz
- Folk
- World Music
- Classical Guitar
- Flamenco Guitar
- Steel String Guitar
- Electric Guitar
- Bass Guitar
- Ukulele
- Charango
- Mandolin
- Sitar
Matthew Montfort is a patient and fun mentor for students of all levels with over four decades of teaching experience. He teaches privately at his studio in Cloverdale, California, at student's homes in the North Bay Area, and worldwide via Skype and other video conferencing services. He was on the faculty at Blue Bear School of Music for over two decades and still teaches masterclasses there occasionally. He also taught at the now defunct Zambaleta World Music and Dance School in San Francisco. For more information about private lessons, send an email to info@ancient-future.com or call 415-459-1892.
An award-winning guitarist (Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, Colorado Outstanding Young Guitarist Award), Matthew Montfort is a pioneer of the scalloped fretboard guitar (an instrument combining qualities of the South Indian vina and the steel string guitar). He was interviewed in the December 2009 Les Paul issue of Guitar Player Magazine about the scalloped fretboard guitar and the application of the rules of Indian raga to the music of Jimi Hendrix as exemplified by 'Purple Raga' from his debut solo recording, Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar. He is recognized as one of the world's 100 Greatest Acoustic Guitarists by DigitalDreamDoor.com , a curated "best of" site, along with such luminaries as Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke, Chet Atkins, John Fahey, Adrian Legg, Merle Travis, John Renbourn, Tommy Emmanuel, Doc Watson, Pierre Bensusan, Toni Rice, Alex De Grassi, Stefan Grossman, Artie Traum, Joni Mitchell, and Peppino D'Agostino. He has performed concerts worldwide, from the Festival Internacional de la Guitarra on the golden coast of Spain to the Festival of India in Mumbai. Montfort wrote the book Ancient Traditions – Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India, which has been used by many musicians to improve their rhythm skills. He is also known for his work on the Glissentar 11 string fretless guitar, electric guitar, flamenco guitar, sitar, ukulele, charango, mandolin, gamelan, and as leader of the popular world music group Ancient Future.
Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists Playlist
Private Music Lesson Series Discount Pricing
Matthew Montfort teaches privately from his studio Sonoma County in California. For added convenience and safety, most lessons are currently held online, with an occasional in person lesson with masks to work on ensemble playing. Gift sale prices for lessons are as follows (limited time offer):
- 60 Minute Private Lessons. 4 pack. Sale $270. Add to Cart. Buy 1 Now. A set of four one hour private lessons from Cloverdale, California. Makes an excellent gift for intermediate and advanced students. Gift certificate available. Online lesson price includes any practice files (audio, written music, etc.) sent after lesson.
- 45 Minute Private Lesson. 4 pack. Sale $234. Add to Cart. Buy 1 Now. A set of four 45 minute private lessons from Cloverdale, California. Makes an excellent gift for intermediate and advanced students. Gift certificate available. Online lesson price includes any practice files (audio, written music, etc.) sent after lesson.
- 30 Minute Private Lesson. 4 pack. Sale $198. Add to Cart. Buy 1 Now. A set of four 30 minute private lessons from Cloverdale, California. Makes an excellent gift for beginning and intermediate students. Gift certificate available. Online lesson price includes any practice files (audio, written music, etc.) sent after lesson.
Price Sheet (70k .pdf)
Student Quotes
"Matthew Montfort is a really great guitar teacher; just excellent. I know because I'm a teacher myself. One of the things Matthew does that really works is, he breaks down each "hard" thing you want to do on the guitar into its simplest little components and has you practice those components and the transitions between them. That way you isolate the problematic bit and realize that it's not actually hard by itself. Once you can do it he has you put the components back together to form a flawless piece. He really takes a neuroscience-oriented approach to training the fingers along with the mind. He also never judges you. Sometimes I've showed up to a lesson unprepared and thinking "when Matthew sees how little I've practiced he will be mad" but it's never like that. You always leave a lesson with him feeling optimistic and ready to play! It helps also that he is a master of so many styles: rock, classical, flamenco, Indian, etc. and that he plays concerts and gigs in so many venues. I've learned a lot about music from him; not just how to play the guitar. Whenever I've followed his lead and practiced the way he has shown me, I've made steady progress. It's when I decide to practice my own way that I get stuck in a rut. Do it Matthew's way! He the best teacher ever."
– Michael Wing
"Matt is the best teacher I have ever had. Before moving to California I had numerous teachers who just confused me and never really explained scale and chord relationships. When I met Matt at my first lesson he asked me to tell him what I knew of music theory. After I told him, he got my swiss cheese of music theory solved. He made it real easy for me to get and everything clicked. I highly recommend him – you will not be disappointed."
– Colin D.
"I have been taking lessons with Matthew since last January and feel he is an excellent teacher. I have learned many new techniques and have progressed nicely. He is very patient and makes the lessons fun as well as challenging."
– Ruth Malkin
Student Videos
Student Success Stories
Some of Matthew Montfort's former students now have promising music careers!
essence. Winner of the Lileth Fair competition and signed to RCA Records!
Tina Malia."Her voice is as pure as fresh water bubbling from a mountain spring. As a songwriter, she evokes visions of a higher realm, a place of peace and oneness, yet her words are very much of this world, and of the earth. Her name is Tina Malia - a name that will be well known before long, because this young woman is destined for musical immortality."
– Magical Blend Magazine
Richard Storbeck. "This past week Richard Storbeck began teaching music history and electric guitar to 6th graders at James Lick Elementary School. Richard has been an advanced student at Blue Bear for a couple years and this Spring Quarter is also starting up as one of our guitar instructors on Saturdays."
– Blue Bear School of Music Newsletter
Dylan Moon. A student of rock guitar, music reading, music theory, classical guitar, and flamenco with Matthew Montfort from the age of 11, Dylan Moon was quickly thrust into the spotlight with a feature in Guitar Player Magazine! He later received a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music. "Moon became interested in the guitar at age three, and began receiving formal instruction three years later. Originally influenced by early rock and rollers such as Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly, Moon’s main sources of inspiration expanded to include David Gilmour and Jeff Beck. Moon also sings and plays violin, cello, piano, and flute. In 2003, the young guitarist received an endorsement from EMG pickups after a representative saw him playing at Zone Music in Cotati, California. Moon has recorded several of his original compositions, which are very impressive, especially considering his age. He employs effects to create moods that bring to mind progressive artists such as Pink Floyd."
– GuitarPlayer.Com
Janine Rae. "Her vocal style is that of Jewel. The only differance between the two, is that Janine Rae has a better voice, and better musicians backing up her vocals!"
– shattered.com
Develop a career of your own! Email info@ancient-future.com or call 415-459-1892 to schedule a lesson. Find out about music classes by signing the guestbook.