Start Learning Guitar or Bass Today!
My name is Bret Helm. I'm a professional musician with over 30 years experience in performing, songwriting and teaching. I've been teaching private guitar and bass lessons in Arizona, servicing the East Valley (Chandler, Tempe, Gilbert and Mesa) and beyond for over 19 years now. Since 2020, I've expanded my lessons to students in other states, and countries!
Over the years, I've had hundreds of students, from age 5 to 75 - some of them have went on to have successful musical careers (Jimmy Eat World), others have recorded their own solo albums, joined bands or played their favorite songs for family & friends.
A little bit about me. I first hit the stage in 1991 - since then I've appeared on over 50 albums, toured all over the United States & Europe (with bands like AFI, Peter Murphy, Concrete Blonde, etc), published around 50 original songs, and even have had some of my own music played on MTV. What I love about music most is the ability to share it with others. I absolutely love to teach.
About my lessons. I focus on what you want to learn - Guitar (electric, acoustic) or Bass Guitar. If you want to learn how to read music, play your favorite songs or even write your own songs - then that's what we'll focus our attention on. All styles welcome - from rock to country to jazz and everything in between. Classes are private, one-on-one sessions and current rates are $25 per 30-minute lesson or $50 per 1 hour lesson.
Don't live in Arizona? No problem. Some of my students travel for work, or live in other states / countries. My online lessons are available no matter where you live!
Please note: I am currently conducting all of my lessons on-line through Zoom Video Conferencing. This is a great way for students to continue learning from home. I am also taking on new students through this method, so if you'd like to get started on guitar or bass, please fill-out the new student form to get scheduled.
It's never too late to start learning.
from my students:
"One of the best things that’s ever happened to me was to meet Bret and begin taking lessons from him. We started with guitar 15 years ago, then I transitioned to bass guitar along the way. Clearly, to stick with something for that long, it’s safe to conclude that it’s a positive experience. Bret is everything you’d want in a teacher: incredibly knowledgeable, a great communicator, kind and understanding. That knowledge extends from how to play the instruments to a deep understanding of music and its history. Moreover, he knows how to teach (something that, as a college professor, I think I can judge). He tailors his teaching method to each individual student and what he or she wants out of the experience, from music theory to simply learning to play your favorite songs, and everything between. He’s very understanding with beginners and has a great sense of just when you’re ready for something more challenging. The hands-on experience and immediate feedback are invaluable and can occur only through the kind of private, face-to-face dynamic that Bret offers. With his guidance, I’ve grown not only as a musician, but also in my appreciation for music and its various styles. Lastly, he’s very accommodating with scheduling, willing to make adjustments that work for you" - Joe Russomanno
"I’ve taken guitar lessons from Bret for almost 4 years. During that time, my skill level has increased markedly!! Bret is organized, thorough, and both knowledgeable as well as personable. He has a solid background in music theory, so even the most technically challenging pieces are achievable with him. In addition to being a great teacher, Bret is also an awesome guitar player, and performs live in various venues. His performance is not only a testament to his abilities, but also an inspiration. If you are serious about learning to play, I highly recommend Bret!!" - Scott Tanabe