Hello, thanks for checking out my introduction! My name is Barry Ward and I’m the founder and owner of Freedom Guitar School located in Madison, AL.
Learning to play guitar can be very exciting and rewarding. You can play for or with family, friends or perhaps eventually get and perform live gigs. However, it can also be a very personal thing where you use the guitar for writing and recording songs, playing as a way of relaxing, or playing just for fun. Regardless of your intentions for learning to play guitar, you need to think long-term; you are investing in learning a skill for life, so think of learning to play guitar as a journey, not a destination.
I believe just about anyone can learn how to play guitar really well. It all starts with the desire and determination to learn. Next, you need the right knowledge presented in the right order of steps to master. But, you also need a paced skills development strategy and a tailored practice plan all specifically focused on putting you on the correct path to learning to play the guitar in the most effective and efficient manner possible. For this purpose, there is no better teaching approach than personal one-on-one guitar lessons from a professional guitar teacher. No other teaching approach can provide you with the quality, value for money and the near and long-term benefits than what a personal guitar teacher can provide. In addition, as your private teacher, coach and mentor, I will provide you the highest quality instruction, instant feedback, track your progress and provide the discipline to keep you motivated during the learning process. As your guitar pro, I’m also personally committed to your learning, skills development and progress toward achieving your guitar playing goals.
I developed the “Guitar for Life” Basic and Advanced Course teaching programs to provide you with what you really need to know and develop to take you from you’re current level to the level you’re wanting to achieve to meet your goals. These courses were specifically developed to teach beginner (Basic Course) and intermediate (Advanced Course) level guitar that emphasizes the essential fretboard knowledge, must-know skills, and playing techniques that will accelerate your ability to learn to play the guitar in the shortest time possible.
Course Sessions are organized to present topics and skills development in the right order of steps to concurrently develop the 3 essential guitar playing component skills. The teaching strategy used is geometric (i.e., component topics and skills development are taught from different angles to optimize learning in the shortest time). The focus is on what’s most important to understand, learn and master in the near, mid and long term. The approach is highly interactive throughout (hands-on training) and Sessions are taught using a goal-driven and results-oriented strategy. To reinforce the learning process and skills development, a specific practice plan is assigned following each Session and Session Packages are provided for study, practice and reference.
Other courses I offer include the “Guitar for Fun” Beginner Course, the “Soloing Made Easy” Course, and the “How to Perform like a Pro” Course. All courses I teach are student-focused, well balanced, comprehensive, and appropriately paced.
If you want to learn playing guitar in the shortest time possible and have a whole lot of fun while learning, you just need to bring the desire and determination to learn, and I'll provide the highest quality instruction to help you achieve your guitar playing goals!
Are you ready to take action? If so, please contact me to set up a 60 minute introductory Session at my home studio. This introductory Session will be at no cost and no obligation to you! The purpose of this Session is: 1) to assess your experience, fretboard knowledge, playing level and guitar playing goals and 2) to present an overview of the specific Course I recommend for you along with my teaching approach and expected outcomes of completing the Course.
“Barry Ward formally studied music in school for 8 years as a musician and vocalist and has been playing guitar as a singer/songwriter and performer for over 30 years. He has performed professionally at venues ranging from very quaint settings to large stages and auditoriums (and everything in between!) both as a soloist and as a member of several bands and groups over the years. He plays both the acoustic and electric guitar and his music originals and covers include rock and roll, classic rock, heavy rock, pop, blues, country, soul, rhythm and blues, folk and gospel. In addition to songwriting and performing, Barry has also been teaching guitar since 1999 and has studied teaching guitar from some of the best instructors in the country. He is the founder and owner of Freedom Guitar School in Madison, AL. Among the several courses offered, he developed the “Guitar for Life” Basic and Advanced Course teaching programs which are professional personal one-on-one interactive courses of guitar instruction that are uniquely tailored to the student’s needs and developed specifically to help students achieve their guitar playing goals in the shortest period of time.”
