Keith Terry, Guitar Instructor

Keith Terry has always enjoyed music, and guitar in particular.  Inspired by the music his parents listened to, he started playing guitar at age 11.  “My folks told me they’d sign me up for lessons, but my part of the deal,” he grins, “was to practice and stick with it.”   Keith adds, “That wasn’t a problem.   It’s like what I was meant to do!”

Keith’s primary teacher was Knoxville’s well-known Ben Bolt.  Keith adds, with a touch of awe, “Did you know that Ben Bolt studied guitar with Segovia?  Ben told me that Segovia was really focused and strict, sort of like ‘we’ll spend six months working on this hand, and then we’ll spend the next six months working on the other hand’ - can you imagine?”

But while Keith can also be very focused with his students, he emphasizes that although everyone has to start from ground zero, they can have a lot of fun along the way.  He feels strongly that it’s important for him to start by finding out what kind of music his students like, and what inspired them to play guitar.  “I’m usually able to find out what a new student’s interests are,” he emphasizes.

Keith has over two decades of teaching experience behind him, having taught both in Oak Ridge and in Knoxville music stores.  He feels strongly that it’s important to pass his skills and love of guitar on to the next generation and is confident that he can present it in a way that’s understandable to all ages, whether kindergarten or retired.

What could a beginning student expect to do?  Explaining that in order to get a real grasp of music, Keith says that students should know both standard notation and tablature, the two main ways of reading music.  “The usual approach is to start with basic open string chords and get acquainted with time signatures and rhythm, no matter what age. 

Keith comments, “You have to do the basics first, but the more you practice, the quicker we can get into the fun stuff.”  But even on the most basic levels, he can help students by mixing in the styles of music they like.  “I’m usually able to find something that interests them, he grins.  In addition to reading, he emphasizes ear training.  “Like Ben told me,” he adds, “the more you know, including different styles, the more it will help you in the long run.”