EDITOR'S NOTE: most of the below post was from the Washougal School of Music's website, which we let expire. However, you can find updated information on the instruction page on jeffreewhite.com
The Washougal School of Music closed its studio doors in 2022, after 5 years of service, when Jeffree & his wife relocated to Ajijic, Mexico. However, as of 2024, Jeffree is still regularly teaching students in Washougal & Camas, over Zoom!
Jeffree offers private instruction in guitar, piano, mandolin, ukulele, bass guitar, and music theory.
Lessons in:
guitar: all levels and styles
piano: beginning to intermediate, any style, plus a unique visual and theoretical approach
ukulele: the most accessible stringed instrument — which has made it super popular! Chords and strumming are covered, and theory to enable to transpose into more friendly keys.
bass guitar: rock, blues and jazz
mandolin: bluegrass and more, with lots of tricks and exercises to get you pickin’!
Read on for details!
Piano
Piano offers several advantages as an instrument: it’s very visual, with immediately apparent patterns, and there is less of a physical impediment to playing basic stuff. Pressing down three keys — every other key — is very easy compared to say a guitar chord, and you can move the same shapes around, if you are in the key of C. So it’s possible to start playing music immediately. I favor identifying a few chord shapes first, and looking at chords in basic keys, first — so you can play songs without learning to read a note! Lastly, piano has a very wide range, so you can be your own bass player.
Of course, there is no limit to the possibilities on piano. The disadvantage of piano is that all 12 major keys (scales) look different on piano, unlike a guitar where the pattern is just moved up a fret. So there is homework involved! But I can help you demystify the keys and chord groups.
I have exercises borrowed from classical masters designed to build strength and dexterity. I have lots of blues-based licks and sophisticated honky-tonk 6th interval patterns, and walking bass parts, to show you. And when you get into rich harmonic elaborations — fat jazz chords — combined with the Great American song book, there are endless fun challenges to explore.
Ukulele is not just a kids’ toy! It’s exploded in popularity in recent years amongst enthusiasts of all ages; there are all kinds of group jams, and it’s showing up in bands of various styles. It’s the most accessible instrument in terms of cost, portability, and playability. And it is a good choice for small hands. The chord shapes are similar to guitar, so it can serve as a stepping stone to taking up guitar later.
In my work on guitar and keyboards, I incorporate a lot of bass lines, so I think about it a lot.
You have to think differently as a bassist; note choices are more limited, and very functional. Playing bass carries a lot of responsibility! Everyone feels the bass. If the rhythm isn’t right on, it’s noticeable. I gain new appreciation for bass players every time I play it with a band! But because bass has such power to change the feel — groove, and dynamic — of the music, it’s a lot of fun.
Lessons in:
guitar: all levels and styles
piano: beginning to intermediate, any style, plus a unique visual and theoretical approach
ukulele: the most accessible stringed instrument — which has made it super popular! Chords and strumming are covered, and theory to enable to transpose into more friendly keys.
bass guitar: rock, blues and jazz
mandolin: bluegrass and more, with lots of tricks and exercises to get you pickin’!
Guitar
- casual, yet focused; patient, yet disciplined; fun, yet effective
- all levels of experience
- acoustic or electric, various styles: rock, blues, jazz, bluegrass, shred & tapping
- chords, scales, music theory, soloing, songs
- original visual aids for extensive fretboard studies; available in print and/or PDF, included with lessons
- My favorite guitarists include Jeff Beck, Django Reinhardt, Jimmy Herring, Trey Anastasio, Steve Howe, Frank Zappa, John Scofield, Jerry Garcia, Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, Carlos Santana, Derek Trucks, Eddie Van Halen, and Allan Holdsworth, just to name a few.
Piano
Piano offers several advantages as an instrument: it’s very visual, with immediately apparent patterns, and there is less of a physical impediment to playing basic stuff. Pressing down three keys — every other key — is very easy compared to say a guitar chord, and you can move the same shapes around, if you are in the key of C. So it’s possible to start playing music immediately. I favor identifying a few chord shapes first, and looking at chords in basic keys, first — so you can play songs without learning to read a note! Lastly, piano has a very wide range, so you can be your own bass player.
Of course, there is no limit to the possibilities on piano. The disadvantage of piano is that all 12 major keys (scales) look different on piano, unlike a guitar where the pattern is just moved up a fret. So there is homework involved! But I can help you demystify the keys and chord groups.
I have exercises borrowed from classical masters designed to build strength and dexterity. I have lots of blues-based licks and sophisticated honky-tonk 6th interval patterns, and walking bass parts, to show you. And when you get into rich harmonic elaborations — fat jazz chords — combined with the Great American song book, there are endless fun challenges to explore.
Mandolin
I love the tuning and condensed scale length of the mandolin: scale patterns — especially pentatonic — are compact, and the consistent 5th intervals between strings allow patterns to emerge. Also, there are plenty of two-finger chords! And 6th intervals are condensed too, making harmonizing melodies into double-stops easy. In some ways it’s easier (and louder!) to play leads on than guitar.
Ukulele
Ukulele is not just a kids’ toy! It’s exploded in popularity in recent years amongst enthusiasts of all ages; there are all kinds of group jams, and it’s showing up in bands of various styles. It’s the most accessible instrument in terms of cost, portability, and playability. And it is a good choice for small hands. The chord shapes are similar to guitar, so it can serve as a stepping stone to taking up guitar later.
Bass
I’ve played bass in various rock bands, playing 4-string, 5-string, and U-Bass.In my work on guitar and keyboards, I incorporate a lot of bass lines, so I think about it a lot.
You have to think differently as a bassist; note choices are more limited, and very functional. Playing bass carries a lot of responsibility! Everyone feels the bass. If the rhythm isn’t right on, it’s noticeable. I gain new appreciation for bass players every time I play it with a band! But because bass has such power to change the feel — groove, and dynamic — of the music, it’s a lot of fun.
Pricing
Students usually get a monthly batch of weekly lessons, corresponding with calendar months; the price is the same if the month includes 4 or 5 weeks.mo. of 30-minute lessons = $100
mo. of 60-minute lessons = $160
Family special: 2 family members can get separate 30-minute lessons for the cost of a single batch of 60-minute lessons.
Cancellation Policy: cancellations must be notified 3 days in advance, with exceptions for true illness or inclement weather.
For remote lessons, payments are made via PayPal:paypal.me/jeffreewhite directly
or the following PayPal button which takes you to the PayPal website — but this method requires a small convenience fee, which we split.
mo. of 60-minute lessons = $160
Family special: 2 family members can get separate 30-minute lessons for the cost of a single batch of 60-minute lessons.
Cancellation Policy: cancellations must be notified 3 days in advance, with exceptions for true illness or inclement weather.
For remote lessons, payments are made via PayPal:paypal.me/jeffreewhite directly
or the following PayPal button which takes you to the PayPal website — but this method requires a small convenience fee, which we split.
About Jeffree
Founding instructor Jeffree Noyes White’s 30+ year career in teaching and performing — with over 80 bands! — is a testament to the benefits of both skill-building and versatility. His students benefit from his vast body of technical knowledge, individualized instructional approach, and mastery of many musical styles, from rock to jazz to bluegrass to various world music. For more about Jeffree’s current projects and accomplishments, visit his website at jeffreewhite.com.
Over the years, Jeffree has created hundreds of original visual aids, worksheets, and exercises to facilitate individualized learning. He’s able to quickly identify a student’s gaps in skills, while tailoring the curriculum to match the student’s desired focus — resulting in “aha!” moments, and realizations of “this is just what I needed”. He works with students of all ages and abilities.
Our philosophy
The desire to enhance one’s life through the study of music is universal and timeless. However one begins their study – self-study, through a public school program, or online tutoring, for example – nothing can help one achieve mastery quite like regular private, one-on-one lessons and a rigorous schedule of practice. For a student to achieve the most for their money and time, it’s advisable to commit to a regular lesson schedule, put in daily practice, and be an active participant in goal-setting. Those who commit to it will see a difference. (He also offers one-off lessons or consultations for musicians who need a little help to get beyond a creative or technical rut.)
Put simply, if you’re looking for formal instruction in your instrument combined with freedom to explore and an enjoyable process every step of the way, Washougal School of Music is the place for you!
Press
Testimonials
I’ve had lessons from 3 different teachers, and this is the first time I’ve felt like I can do this.
It’s one thing to possess the knowledge, but the ability and willingness to distribute it to others is the true mark of a great being…thank you for another great lesson.
Jeffrey gave me a 1-hour guitar lesson. By the end, I had a solid foundation for plucking away at the guitar and I have slowly been increasing my skill since! It’s clear that he has extensive experience teaching guitar. I was very satisfied.
And see several flattering reviews from happy customers on the reviews section of our Facebook page.
Contact jeffreewhite@gmail.com
(503)964-7339 (text or call)
Facebook page messaging
Email is generally preferred, but any method is fine.
It’s one thing to possess the knowledge, but the ability and willingness to distribute it to others is the true mark of a great being…thank you for another great lesson.
Jeffrey gave me a 1-hour guitar lesson. By the end, I had a solid foundation for plucking away at the guitar and I have slowly been increasing my skill since! It’s clear that he has extensive experience teaching guitar. I was very satisfied.
And see several flattering reviews from happy customers on the reviews section of our Facebook page.Contact jeffreewhite@gmail.com
(503)964-7339 (text or call)
Facebook page messaging
Email is generally preferred, but any method is fine.
