Lessons with James
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James Lipka
Guitar, Bass, Mandolin
James Lipka is a veteran of the local music scene, and has been performing professionally for
nearly 20 years. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music with a degree in Professional
Music. While at Berklee, he was fortunate to have been able to study with and learn from many
great teachers Chris Buono, Don Lappin, John Finn and Joe Stump.
He is currently a fulltime member of The Thompson Triplets, The Ogham Stones, Jessica
Smucker and the End of Everything, and Tractor Jerry and the Mudbucket. In addition to his full
time projects, he has also done extensive work as a sideman and a pit musician, and is an
accomplished solo fingerstyle guitar player. As a result, James has played in virtually every style
and format possible.
As a guitar instructor, James believes in an organized approach to the instrument. In his 8+
years of teaching full time he has combined his academic background with his years of on the
job, practical knowledge to create a well rounded approach to the instrument with an emphasis
on music theory, ear training and reading. Whatever your goal on the instrument is, he will help
you develop the skill necessary to achieve them.
James is also one of only a handful of people to have completed Chris Buono’s Diatonic 7-Tone,
a massive in depth study of the 7 diatonic modes of the major scale. An adventure unto itself,
and not for the faint of heart, 7-Tone is a transformative program that will absolutely change the
way you see the guitar neck. This program is designed for people who seriously want to get
their chops together. If you’re interested in reading more about Diatonic 7-Tone, and possibly
taking the journey for yourself, you can ![]()
read more about it here: Diatonic 7 Tone
He is available for lessons Monday-Friday.
