Studios in Boulder at HB Woodsongs, in Longmont at CMIC, and at home in Lyons. Home

Lessons are available on pedal steel, guitar, dobro, banjo, mandolin and bass. Marty is an accomplished professional musician with an extensive discography, thousands of road hours and a roster of students who have reached the pinnacle of success in the music business. Marty is the 2005 Rockygrass Dobro Champion. Students include Dixie Chicks banjoist Emily Erwin and Stealth Banjo innovator and stylist Scott Vestal. With his experience on stage and in the studio, he is an excellent applied theory instructor for the student of any instrument. Pedal Steel Guitar- Right hand picking techniques and operation of pedals and levers to create chords and pitch changes are combined with left hand vibrato to create beautiful, haunting steel solos. Banjo- Start with a few simple right hand roll patterns and add a few left hand slides and chords and you'll be able to put together some nice bluegrass picking. Or, if you prefer Dixieland style, a few chords and some strumming technique will have you playing traditional jazz. Bass- You can learn country, bluegrass, rock, blues and rockabilly styles on upright bass or electric bass. Slap and pop techniques add a percussive quality and funky coolness to the sound. Dobro- Using a combination of right hand rolls and left hand bar techniques allows you to create melodies and harmonies that will fit into any live playing situation for jams and more. These exercises also apply to lap steel for those who want to pursue the electric side of slide. Guitar- Instruction encompasses almost any style you want to learn: jazz, blues, rock, ambient, country and includes lead and rhythm techniques. Mandolin- A few simple chords and scales allow you to participate in creating music with friends at jam sessions. Performance theory- An often overlooked component of instrument instruction is the practical aspect of what to play and when to play it during a song. As a professional 'side man' with decades of experience at making others sound their best on stage, I make sure that my students understand their place in the music they perform and how to present their musical ideas with knowledge and confidence. Each lesson is tailored to the students' individual needs. For beginners I try to have my students playing songs by artists they listen to within the first few weeks. For intermediate and advanced players I assess their current abilities and work with them to develop their strengths and show them new ideas to become more sophisticated musicians. Lesson exercises are recorded when appropriate and burned to CD or emailed to allow the student to practice along with the class material. Students can request songs and they are immediately available through internet download.