GUITAR LESSONS | Testimonials

I’m very pleased to give this testimonial to Kelly Richey

I’ve worked with many guitar teachers and I’m very thankful to have found Kelly Richey. I found a course of hers online and decided to sign up for a personal guitar lesson.

Just focusing on the guitar, she really changed the way I play. Kelly’s unique approach to my tried and true pentatonic scales really changed the way I played my guitar. She uses some really simple and powerful ideas and showed me how to practice them in a new way. She really opened up the fretboard for me.

If you are a rock/blues/country player, I highly recommend learning this approach if you want to take your pentatonics to the next level.

I’ve been working with her about 2 years now, and over that time I’ve gone from playing at home on a looper to singing and performing at open mics and gigs. I wanted an intermediate guitar course, but over time, it became more a music coach thing as she helped me develop my own style, she empowered me to create music, and taught me the confidence to go out and perform as best I can.
I guess the best way to say it is, she helped me decide for myself what I wanted to do with my music. Very cool.

In addition she advised me on putting together my pedalboard, songwriting, how to use MIDI with my projects and even how to record my music.. I am really doing things I never thought I’d be able to do..
– Kaitlyn Mikalaskas

…

Millions already know what an amazing and powerful guitar player Kelly is. But it’s – still – a relative secret that this fast driving mama is a most dedicated, methodical and inspiring teacher that will spare nothing from making any hard working dude (or dudette) a master blues player. For anyone interested in blues rock guitar: problem solved!
– Eran Shalev

…

I’ve taking lessons from Kelly for several years now and it has been a great experience. After trying for many months to teach myself the guitar, I started taking lessons from Kelly. A smart move. She is an enthusiastic and supportive teacher. As a beginner on the guitar she took me through the fundamentals –scales, chords, and reading the fretboard. Along the way she would include songs that complemented the exercises keeping the process fun and entertaining. Her lessons also covered theory and history of the blues. As a teacher Kelly has the wonderful ability to listen and observe and then customize a lesson to help you. Kelly is a great teacher who will make you love the guitar.
– Jim Ecker

…

“It’s amazing how the internet can connect a small town guitar player to a down to earth seasoned pro and bring them together in a personal student/teacher environment online. I love the guitar even more now that I have direction rather than a boatload of DVD’s and videos with varied techniques and teaching styles offered. Kelly has a way of knowing “exactly” where I want to go and the fastest way to get there. I have grown leaps and bounds in the last months compared to years of floundering and frustration and thoughts of actually giving up the best instrument on planet earth. What am I nuts?”
Kelly, Thanks for Everything!
– Brett in FL / Guitar Student

…

“During my first video lesson with Kelly, she told me that one of the most important things about learning guitar was to stay inspired. Before taking lessons with her I was very scattered in my daily practice sessions. I would find something to work on but then get deflated because I had no idea what I was working towards. Kelly has given me focus and clear-cut exercises and songs to work on that are building my finger strength, speed, dexterity, rhythm, fretboard knowledge, and musical feeling. I finally feel like there is a means to an end and my confidence with lead guitar is soaring since collaborating with her on my playing. Having a pro like her watch how I am playing and letting me know what I can do to improve is invaluable. Kelly is really great at helping me with my weaknesses and encouraging my strengths. She also knows how to challenge me just the right amount so that when I do achieve my goal for the lesson I feel extra inspired and great about my progress. I feel like I have found a mentor and a strong role model in Kelly, especially as a female guitar player. She is always open to sharing her experiences and her vast knowledge of the guitar and she is a talented musician and teacher. I feel very grateful to be her student.”
– Diana Rein – Musician / Guitar Student

…

“So what is Kelly Richey like as a guitar instructor? Well, she is fun, supportive, and enthusiastic, sprinkled with just the right amount of “tough love” needed to take your playing to where you want it to be. Her passion for guitar playing is exceeded only by her passion for teaching and making you a better guitarist.

I’ve had some bad, some good and some great guitar teachers over the years and Kelly definitely belongs in the “Great” category. No matter if you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced player, Kelly will help you build a solid foundation, quickly identify your trouble areas and then give you a solid plan that will help you break through to the next level.

If you are serious about learning the guitar or improving your playing ability, do yourself a favor and let Kelly guide you on your musical journey. It will be the best decision you’ve ever made – guaranteed!”
– Robert Rittiger / Guitar Student

…

“Kelly’s approach to her teaching is simple and straightforward. She is patient but tough, she keeps you on track. The Skype lessons I have with her enable me to make a connection with her so I am able better to understand what it is I need to do. I am a very visual learner and Skype is the way to go. She certainly has helped me not only to be a better guitar player but has helped me become a better guitar teacher to my students as well. Thank you, Kelly!”
– Deborah De Steno / Guitar Student / Teacher

…

When I was 16 years old Kelly Richey gave me the tools that enabled me to be the guitar player that I always wanted to be. Now, twenty years later, I am a professional musician and she is giving me the tools and framework that are helping me to access and awaken my true power to realize my dreams. I love her style; she is loving and firm, funny and straightforward, supportive and encouraging, and optimistic and realistic. With Kelly’s guidance and support, I have been able to make serious progress and gain strong confidence in a short period of time. She is the most effective teacher I have ever had. She is the teacher that gives the most useful information, what you need to know and I would recommend her to anyone without reservation.
– Vani Vozos

…

“Studying with Kelly Richey has been one of the major highlights of my guitar playing career. She has helped me improve my playing by leaps and bounds in a very short period of time. She has a vast musical knowledge from exercises to build technique, to soloing concepts, and can even help build your repertoire. One of the best decisions I have made in regards to my playing is signing up for lessons with Kelly. My advice to ANY guitarist looking to expand their playing is to sign up NOW!!!”
– Blayze Windham in Tupelo, MS / Guitar Student

…

Kelly is my “GO TO” lady for online blues. blues/rock instruction. She probably doesn’t know this but, I kind of feel like I’m being taught by one of my guitar heroes. Her lessons are personalized, very well explained and target the areas that I need to work on to be a good blues player. Kelly gives me the tools to grow but she doesn’t do my push-ups for me. I put in the practice time and follow her lead. Am I a better guitar player? Yes, I am and I’m excited to see how I’ll be in the months to follow. Super excited!!! Thanks, Kelly.
– Gord Moman / Guitar Student

…

“Hey Kelly, I just want to take the time to thank you for your method of instruction. It works! I started seriously playing about four years ago…I took lessons for about 18 months…I learned a little about a lot, and it made no sense to me… I quit the lessons, then purchased several different DVD…and it was basically the same as my lesson…a little about a lot. I then tried to learn on my own…I picked up a few scales, and some chords, but I was never able to get into a consistent practice routine because I didn’t know what to practice.

Surfing the internet one Sunday I came across your website and followed it to the true fire web page…Watched your introductory video, and thought, “I’ve tried most everything else, and I have nothing to lose…” So I took a shot at your lessons…

Upon receiving my self-assessment and video’s, you immediately assessed my abilities and frustration…provided thoughtful insight into my needs, and put me on a regimen that focused my practice efforts and provided me (for the first time) joy in playing… Concentrating on a strong foundation, you got me on the correct path of picking, strumming, and changing chords…In fact, the exercises you provided me are phenomenal…I can actually feel and see the strings with my fingers…I can easily change chord and the sound is as clean as you would want…And equally important, I’ve learned the basics of three songs…all in only six weeks…But most importantly, I’m smiling about guitar practice for the first time in four years because I am learning about the instrument and how it works.

I know I have a ways to go to reach my goal of “guitar nirvana,” but I am confident I will get there with your help. Thank you for taking the time to teach me. All the best, Paul”
– Paul Pisano / Guitar Student

…

Kelly has worked with me on guitar for over a year and is an excellent instructor, and became a good friend also. She taught me scales, chords, progressions and worked with me on fundamentals and techniques that work with all kinds of music. Kelly is the kind of instructor and person that will stick with you through the tough spots and is a very patient teacher. Kelly is a great guitarist and can show you lots of playing techniques to improve your skills. Lessons from Kelly are always fun, informative and hard work so be prepared and hold on for a great experience.
– Steve Evans

…

“Kelly Richey’s objective is to provide the highest quality of service to all seeking it. Her passion, determination, and a strive for excellence cannot be challenged. Her knowledge and skills will separate her from most, if not all, competitors. She will far exceed anyone’s expectations. She is truly an artist who is widely known as a master of her craft. If you are seeking mediocrity, then you will not find it here. If you are truly seeking a master at work, then you will not go wrong with Kelly Richey.”
– Wendilyn Beltran / Guitar Student

…

“Kelly’s drive and passion are evident the moment you meet her. Whether it is entertaining or educating others through music, Kelly gives it her all and then some.”

– Greg Southerland / Guitar Student

…

“Kelly is a gifted teacher and performer. She has a talent for making the complex passages look easy and pass the essential knowledge on to others.”
– James Klyza, Jr., MSPH, Ph.D. / Guitar Student