John P. Martinez

$200/hour

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Introduction

I graduated from the UNM Classical Guitar Program in 1986 & I also graduated from GIT ( Guitar Institute of Technology ) in Hollywood in 1987 and I have been gigging and teaching ever since. Your guitar lessons could include single string technique, note reading, tablature, guitar licks or guitar solos, songs, finger style playing including Classical Guitar or just about what ever you want. Don't worry, it won't hurt and you will become a good to great guitarist. Besides being a competitively priced performer your music booking will include your planning session to establish the music for your wedding ceremony ($450.00) and oftentimes includes a cocktail set, dinner, rehearsal dinner or wedding reception at an hourly rate. Cocktails sets are $200 & every additional set is $150 as a ceremony is included. Your planning session is usually an in-person meeting at my home or, if long distance, we can address the music over my speaker phone , Skype or Zoom. I also play Private Parties, Corporate Functions, Fundraisers, etc. I do have standard pricing but I very seldom lose a gig over money. Please let me know your budget and I am sure we can always work things out. I first picked up a guitar when I was 9 years old and it has been a life long love affair ever since. Performing music for special events is an honor and a privilege and getting paid is nice, too. I am always excited to perform a guitar and/or vocal show for you and I look forward to providing a top quality and professional experience. From "Bach to Rock" John P. Martinez will always provide a high quality performance to include, Core Classical Guitar, Jazz, Blues, Classic Rock, Flamenco Style, Contemporary Country, Romantic Spanish Ballads and MORE!

Overview

Hired 44 times

Serves Albuquerque, NM

Background checked

1 employee

36 years in business

Business hours

This pro hasn't listed their business hours.

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This pro accepts payments via Cash, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.

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Top Pro status

Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.

2019

Featured Projects

29 photos

Public Rotation Gigs
Music Entertainment
St Pius 50th Graduation Party
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Corporate Function
Music Entertainment

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Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, responsiveness, and work quality.

Excellent 4.9

47 reviews

94%

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Sandy R.

Jul 27, 2023

Hired on Thumbtack

John was fantastic! He is personable and you can tell he is passionate about music! He played for 3 hrs straight and played a great mix to accommodate all ages! I would highly recommend John for any venue!

Details: Birthday party • 26 - 50 guests • 12 years old or younger • 31 - 50 years old • 51 or older • Guitar • Country / bluegrass • Oldies • Jazz / Blues • Variety • Outdoors

Music Entertainment

Phillip N.

Nov 5, 2023

John Martinez – Music Instructor Want to learn some music theory and how to play the guitar? I highly recommend John Martinez. John’s strengths are his mastery of the guitar, ability to impart knowledge, and his advice and encouragement. Lessons take place in a quiet room with no distractions; you need only bring your guitar. John provides sheets covering music theory, songs, and specific spur-of-the-moment tidbits from the day’s lesson. His responses to questions are clear and direct. He is flexible enough to follow a new path should my questions lead us adrift. John has helped me pick equipment, adjust pickups, and connected me with a luthier for more exacting guitar setup. I am having a terrific time learning with John. If you are looking for guitar lessons (novice or more accomplished) I highly recommend contacting John.

John P. Martinez's reply

Hey Philip that is an awesome review I really do appreciate that. Reviews are incredibly important in my field of work. Thanks for being such a great guitar student I enjoy having you and I'm really glad that you're benefiting from your lessons.

Leanne H.

Aug 18, 2023

John Martinez has a deep history of playing and teaching guitar. I found him on Thumbtack several years back. Having attended both the University of New Mexico where he obtained a classical guitar degree as well as what is now the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles where he studied contemporary music, he is very well positioned to teach any genre of music. He is very experienced and knowledgeable in both playing and teaching guitar using either a pick or fingerstyle. Underlying a lot of what he teaches is music theory. I feel that the way he teaches the fundamentals of music theory is based on the Musician's Institute approach. He streamlines this in such a way as to enable a student to begin improvising over chords rather quickly. John also teaches all of the different chord types and wants his students to be able to play each type of chord at six different places on the fretboard. Between learning different scales and chords, one quickly learns to play on the entire fretboard. As part of learning to play electric guitar, John introduced me to music electronics and is open to incorporating some of Slash's music into my lesson. Relative to acoustic guitar, John is an expert in teaching fingerstyle and has a repertoire of music that he progresses the student through. Aside from this, John coaches the student on proper techniques and will work with the student to correct any problems. John also considers the interests of the student in formulating the progression of the lessons. I would recommend John as a guitar instructor since he is very experienced with both playing and teaching guitar and has the academic credentials to back all this up.

John P. Martinez's reply

Hey Leanne this is so cool I super appreciate this review it's amazing. you're a great student keep up the hard work I know you will. thanks John Martinez

Rhonda C.

Aug 23, 2019

Hired on Thumbtack

John performed at my mother's 70th birthday party, a semi-formal backyard event of her friends and family, personal and professional. John was the highlight of the evening. He arrived on time to set up, which was beautiful over by the pool, close enough for perfect sounds, far enough to not be intrusive. He played a array of ballads, 70's classics, Spanish, just beautiful all of it. The days following the party I continued to get compliments on hiring John and his music was the highlight of the night. I would def recommend and hire for any event where you want a musical backdrop.

Details: Birthday party • 26 - 50 guests • 51 or older • Guitar • Jazz / Blues • Covers • Variety • Oldies • Rock / classic rock • Pop / top 40 • Outdoors

John P. Martinez's reply

Hey Rhonda how have you been doing? I thought I had already responded to this review and I want to certainly thank you for the great review. As I mentioned to you in our email correspondence I really had a lot of fun playing for your family and friends. It was a great gig with that wonderful backdrop by the pool and with the mountains in the background it was really awesome and I was glad that you're family and friends were so nice to me. I hope we'll get to do it again. Thanks a bunch! John Martinez

Music Entertainment

Terry s.

Aug 5, 2019

Hired on Thumbtack

John did a great job! He is a talented artist, with a wide range of musical abilities, and I would be happy to have him play at my future events.

Details: Birthday party • 25 guests or fewer • 51 or older • Band • Vocals • Guitar • No preference • Rock / classic rock • Jazz / Blues • Outdoors • Under $500 (typically only for brief events or small groups)

John P. Martinez's reply

Hey Terry I thought I had responded sooner sorry for the delay. thanks for the great gig and thanks for the great review or super preciate it. It was a lot of fun playing for your group I hope I get to come and do it again thanks, John Martinez

Music Entertainment

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John Martinez

FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Current promo: Take guitar lessons for 3 months and get 1 free lesson. Usually students take a 1/2 hour lesson per week but some want a 1 hour lesson. Not a problem we just need to find a slot that will work. 1 hr. lessons are $60 and 1/2hrs. are $30. Your 1st lesson needs to be 1 hour then we will find a convenient time for your weekly schedule. Generally lessons are paid for monthly but sometimes students prefer to pay per lesson. Not a problem let's just make sure to get you started. NOTE: I will do a maximum of 4 beginner students in a group lesson for $25 per each group session per Skype which is an online lesson. You will need a beginner book called " How to Play Guitar Phase 1" by Ernie Ball and an in tune guitar. I usually supplement the book lessons with additional material by email or text depending on your progress.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Guitar lessons are always private one on one lessons. I can teach you remotely by Skype if need be. Lessons are at my home near Tramway and Comanche on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. If you must have a different day then just let me know and maybe we can work it out but I prefer to have students back to back. If you are a beginner you will need to purchase at Baum's Music an instruction book called "How to Play Guitar Phase 1" by Ernie Ball. More advanced students will work from chord charts and/or tablature, transcriptions, scale grid sheets, etc. and many students video their lessons.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I was always one of the best players in high school but I didn't take my 1st lesson till I was 19. I always just jammed with friends and various bands. Eventually I graduated from University of New Mexico Fine Arts Department with a Classical Performance degree in 1986. I promptly moved to Hollywood to attend Musician"s Institute and graduated from Guitar Institute of Technology in 1987. I have been a guitarist/vocalist performer for most my life and currently I have 2 acts. John Martinez solo guitarist/vocalist, Chile Pi Acoustic Duo.

John P. Martinez

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