Steiner Ranch Guitar Lessons - with Charles Couch

"I have taken lessons from Charles several times over the last 8 years, probably 8-12 months at a time, ending only when I got busy with other projects. I can unequivocally say that it was one of the best experiences I have had taking lessons of any kind. Charles is extremely patient and teaches at a pace that allows you to learn without being overwhelmed. Without going into detail, I had a goal in mind when I started taking lessons to achieve a level of understanding about music that would allow me to play the type music I liked and understand the music theory behind it. Charles got me there. I would highly recommend him."

"I'm twenty eight now, have been playing guitar since I was twelve, and have had quite a few teachers over the years! While they've all been great players, I've got to say that Charles is the best teacher I've had. He's certainly the first person I've worked with who I feel has really helped me grow as an individual player. I've played in a lot of bands and put countless hours into the instrument, but I'm mainly self taught, and he's been very adept in helping me build a stronger traditional foundation, which is what I really wanted to focus on, and has just been really patient in helping me learn to read music and understand music theory. What really impresses me about his teaching though is how much I feel like he actually listens to what I'm playing and asking, and the way in which he's been able to help me grow as a musician in general, and not just as a guitar player. I had been in Austin for a few months before I met him, and was looking for somebody to take lessons with when I caught Charles playing at Central Market one night. I was immediately impressed with his playing, and so I reached out to him via email There are many options for lessons in Austin, but he seemed to be exactly what I was looking for and things quickly fell into place. I've been working with him for a couple years now, and it has just been awesome, his rates are super reasonable and on a personal level he couldn't be more professional and courteous. Lessons are always on time, he's easy to reach, and is also just a very nice person who is easy to play with. Our lessons are not only informative and focused, but also really enjoyable, and I genuinely look forward to seeing him every week. It never feels like a chore, and the last couple years have been the most excited I've been about guitar in a long time. The greatest endorsement that I can offer Charles, though, is how capable he is at actually conveying and explaining challenging musical ideas. In the world of guitar teachers, there are so many different approaches to instilling technique and knowledge in students, and unfortunately being a great player does not necessarily equate to being a great teacher. As a student, you're always looking for that "watershed moment" where everything clicks, and I think that's really where a good teacher can make a difference, because the student still has to arrive there on their own, and that is something which is very individualized. Charles is always happy to answer questions, provide examples, and best of all he explains things in a way that I can just understand. It's hard to say exactly why I find the way he approaches things to be so relatable, it's not like it's anything truly specific, he just seems to have a natural talent for teaching and communicating challenging ideas. If an explanation or concept doesn't make sense to me, I always let Charles know, and he immediately tries to expand on it and show me examples of how the concept can be implemented, either through listening to a piece in which it appears, or by playing together so that I can hear the idea in action. Most importantly though, he dedicates all his time to me as a student, and never seems impatient, bored, or frustrated when I struggle. No matter what we're working on, even if it's something utterly basic, Charles is always engaging, and I feel like he really hears me as an individual and helps me strive to find my own voice on the instrument. Personally, I don't feel like I can offer a better endorsement than that, because while anybody can become an amazing player with enough practice and commitment, being a good teacher isn't something you can learn. You either have that love of helping others improve, or you don't, and that's what makes Charles special. He's not just some guy who will give you some lessons and call it a day, he's someone who will listen to you and work with you and do everything that he can to help you fall even more in love with the instrument. Highly recommended!"

"Charles has been my son's guitar teacher for ~6 years. He not only taught my son how to play guitar but he taught my son an appreciation for music. I felt in many ways Charles was like an older brother to my son too. He helped my son by saying things that a son stops listening to his Father about as a teenager. I completely recommend Charles. He added great value to not only my son but to our family. Ted McCarthy"

"I have personally taken lessons from Charles and currently have two children who look forward to their time with Charles. One of my kids is a junior in college and she has used her experience gained from lessons with Charles thru both technical classes of theory to actual guitar playing. My son has learned both technique and valuable skills in reading music from his time with Charles. I could go on and on from music knowledge to confidence gained from playing in front of groups thru his recitals, but one thing is clear - kids learn and enjoy music when playing with someone who devoted their life to their craft."

"We are so fortunate to have Charles as our guitar instructor. He teaches both my sons, my older one for over a year, and my younger one for about 4 months now. I am so amazed at the progress my sons have made in learning how to play, they have both increased their music appreciation, and their "ear" for music as well. Charles is someone they really enjoy spending time with, and it amazes me how well he keeps their attention for the hour of their lesson. Charles is a fluid instructor, meaning he doesn't follow a textbook when teaching. He customizes the songs that he teaches so that the songs are at a perfect level of difficulty for each student. Looking at all the songs he has written out by hand every week that he teaches is like looking at musical genius. Most of it is already in his head, and if not, he can listen to a song and write it all out. Charles is a passionate musician, and it shows in his teaching as well as his own performances, which our family has attended as well."