Guitar Lessons

Dave Arazmo

Dave Arazmo began playing the guitar at age 13. He practiced 8 to 9 hours a day and learned melodies by ear from listening to records and tapes even figuring out television themes like Sanford & Son, Night Rider, and The Rockford Files. Lately it's the Snickers commercial and Price is Right theme. Dave loves to record. Dave's influences are Van Halen, Randy Rhodes, Steve Morse, Yngwie, Albert Lee, Eric Johnson, and Al Dimeola, to name a few. Dave digs newer players like Johnny Hiland, the guys in A7X too.

Dave has been working as professional musician since 1988 and has played in a variety of musical acts from metal to a Doo-Wop Oldies band and a Touring Bee Gees tribute. Dave began teaching at age eighteen. In 1989 Dave took his band "Arazmo" on the road with Fantasma Productions. In 1994 and 1995 Dave won "Best Guitarist" in the Bay Area Music Awards. The Arazmo band released "Notice to Appear" a 15 song original cd in 1995. Good luck finding it on ebay.

In 1997, Dave won Guitar Wars and an autographed George Lynch guitar, sponsored by Gator's on the Pass, ESP guitars, and Seminole Music. Dave released "Control the Monster" an 11 original cd in 2000. In April 2004, Dave won at the Tampa Guitar Center in the "Guitarmageddon" contest. Dave continues his dedication to music by performing with his current act: Big Brother and as owner of Tampa Guitar School. Dave keeps students motivated and excited about music with a variety of musical examples and exercises with proper attention on technique and theory and by doing voice impersonations like Darth Vader and Austin Powers.

Dave teaches beginners to advanced rock, blues, funk, punk, metal, shred, country, alternative, acoustic, pop-dance, reggae, disco and hot jambalaya-flufftopia (original style) . Free Video Lessons

Brian Buchman

Brian Buchman is a classically trained guitarist who has a love for teaching the guitar. Brian holds a bachelors degree in guitar performance from Stetson University where he studied the guitar with Dr. Stephen Robinson. Brian also received a masters degree in guitar performance from Florida State University where he studied with Bruce Holzman.

Mr. Buchman has been teaching private guitar lessons for fifteen years in a variety of different styles including classic rock, hard rock, jazz, flamenco and classical. For the past five years Brian has been teaching several music classes at Brevard Community College including Music Theory, Sight Singing/Ear Training, and Guitar Class. Brian has also been teaching at Seminole Community College for the past two years where he also gave classes in Music Theory, Guitar and Guitar Ensemble. While teaching at these community colleges Brian maintained a private studio, teaching between 30 and 40 guitar lessons each week.

In addition to teaching Brian has won several Guitar competitions including first prize at the 2001 Columbus International Guitar Competition. In 2000 he was awarded a chair in the Guitar Foundation of America's U.S./Mexico Guitar Orchestra and performed at the convention in San Antonio.

While several of Brian's advanced students have auditioned and been accepted to the music programs at University of Central Florida, Florida State and Stetson University, Brian has extensive experience with beginning guitar students of all ages. From a classroom of fourth graders to the retiree who has always dreamed of picking up a guitar, Brian has taught them all.

Brian's rock influences include Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and Pink Floyd. On the classical side, Brian has taken guitar lessons with Pepe Romero, Elliot Fisk, Oscar Giglia, the Assad brothers, Roland Dyens, Leo Brouwer, Manuel Barrueco, and Scott Tennant. Whether you are a beginner who wants to be inspired or an advanced student looking to refine your playing and learn advanced right or left hand techniques, Brian always keeps the atmosphere fun and the focus on ENJOYING playing the guitar.

Rocky Torres

Understanding the difficulties involved with playing the guitar, and the fact that not everyone learns in the same way, Rocky focuses on developing the student's playing skills with simple yet challenging and fun exercises, as well as song excerpts - while always keeping each individual student's abilities in mind. Nine years of teaching experience, and studies in psychology have helped Rocky Torres incorporate the basic needs of encouragement and reinforcement into each and every one of his teaching sessions. His own two children constantly remind him to have fun with everything he does. Rocky will make a guitarist out of anyone interested in learning the skills of playing the greatest musical instrument of ALL TIME! Rocky can teach you songs by your favorite artists, and encourage you to perform with him or other musicians. If writing your own songs is your aspiration, Rocky will help you to develop your own creative abilities. His influences include, but not limited to: Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Vivian Campbell, Randy Rhoads, George Lynch, and other rock, blues, and jazz guitarists. So grab your GI-tar, bring your desire to learn, name a songs and lets START PLAYING! Rocky teaches at both our Tampa locations.

Tim Brown

Tim is a very skilled player who has taught in the Bay Area for over 20 years. He teaches jazz, rock, classical and blues to advanced master level. He can and will teach you proper technique and theory to the depth you can understand... and beyond! While Tim can "shred" with the best of them, his personal tastes lean towards jazz. You MUST hear him play the chords, melody and bass-line to almost any Beatles song, it sounds like 3 guitars at once! See Tim jam the Beatles jazz style here!

David James

David was recommended to TGS as one of renowned local instructor and college professor Joe Braccio's most gifted students. David is very good at getting students excited about music. David recently became a dad with a beautiful new daughter! He still finds time to practice classical and rock "shred" guitar for 2 - 3 hours a day. He also listens to blues, funk, and metal. His influences include Eric Johnson, Nuno Bettancourt, Andre Segovia, and Joe Walsh. David performs and records with his band in St. Petersburg. David is a favorite here and rarely has an opening on his schedule. If you can find one, book it fast.

Steve Savas

All the way from Seminole, Florida, Steve is a down to earth guy who plays locally in the band "My Enemy". His influences range from shred-rocker, Steve Vai to classical guitarist, John Williams. He teaches modern rock/ metal techniques and classical and bass. He graduated from Gibbs High in the Pinellas County Center for the Arts.

Josh Formanek

Joshua Formanek began playing guitar at age 11. He spent up to 6 hours a day rigorously learning every nuance of rock legends such as Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix. He also greatly enjoyed rocking out to artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stone Temple Pilots, and Rage Against The Machine. While in high school Josh joined the orchestra first playing cello, then moving to double bass. He also played in the concert band, but gained the most pleasure playing guitar in the jazz band. In 2004 he made the Kentucky All-State Jazz Band as well as winning the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award. After high school Josh began attending Central Florida Community College where he performed with the jazz band, jazz combo, variations show band, concert band, and string ensemble.After graduating with his associates degree Josh began attending the University of South Florida where he is now working on his bachelor's degree in jazz studies. He performs various styles of music ranging from jazz to rock in both Ocala and Tampa, also working as a studio musician. He currently enjoys the music of John Scofield, Bill Frisell, Medeski Martin & Wood, but is open-minded and always searching for new sounds. Josh has two years of teaching private lessons under his belt and has taught students ranging from 6 years old to adults more than twice his age. His biggest concerns when teaching is that the student finds it fun and sounds good! Nearly any style of music may be covered ranging from classic rock, hard rock, punk, and metal to jazz, blues, reggae, country and folk. Various concepts may be covered as well, such as reading music, music theory, improvisation, and songwriting. Josh looks forward to helping you achieve your musical goals!.

Jimmie Rogers

Jimmie has been teaching and performing for 30 years. He also teaches voice. His client list ranges from garage band warriors to pro wrestlers. Jimmie is a versatile player who specializes in ear training. He teaches blues, rock, jazz and country styles. Jimmy teaches at our Tampa Palms location.

Adam Izzary

Adam Irizarry is a young guitarist who, even at the age of 18, has spent many years playing and studying the guitar. He got his first guitar at age eight along with two private lessons. He and his parents knew that the guitar would always be a big part of Adam's life and that still holds true. Adam has taken private music lessons from some of the Tampa area’s best instructors from the age of eight until he was fifteen. Studying classical, acoustic as well as electric guitar (his forte), Adam's love for the guitar has taken him all over the country.
Adam joined his first rock band at the age of eleven. Working with Radio Disney and other promoters he has performed at the SXSW (South by Southwest Musical Conference) held annually in Austin, Texas. He has preformed on the John Lennon Tour Bus in Los Angels for the NAMM show (National Association of Musical Merchants). Other performances include: Headlining at the USF Sun Dome. New York Yankees opening spring season game, Tamps Devil Rays opening day, Tampa Bay Lighting games at the St. Pete Times Forum, Guavaween,Florida State Fair (including media blitz party), Skippers Smoke House, Friday Extra Concert Series, Pot Bellies, UF Performing Arts Center, Tampa Bay Performance Arts Center. Tampa Museum of Art, playing for Mayor Pam Iorio . NBC's The Daytime Show (live performance), Tampa Bay's Media Talk and many, many other shows with the three rock bands that he has been in.
Adam won the 102.5FM rock radio station's "guitar shootout" contest, getting the most online votes with his performance at the age of 17 years old. Adam was contacted by and is currently working with the multi-platinum record producer Gary Corolla who has worked with NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, Brittany Spears, and Aaron Carter. Adam shot a music video with one of Gary's bands recently and Adam also has a spotlight article in the new magazine Sorcha (an underground rock magazine for the bay area).
Adam is a 2008 graduate from Blake Performing Arts High School where he studied classical guitar for four years. Adam has taken AP Music theory and has been giving private guitar lessons for over a year. Adam is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in guitar and music theory.
Adam’s influences are Randy Rhoads, Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, Steve Vai, Slash, Jimmy Page, and others. Adam brings his experiences into the classroom with each student. Adam is dedicated to the guitar, whether it is performing, writing, teaching or learning.