Mack is the "Mack" Daddy of all guitar teachers. His Knowledge of Jazz and music in general is amazing. His playing skill is phenomenal. But, the best quality of Mack, in my opinion, is his ability to teach. During my first lesson with Mack, he immediately identified exactly what was holding me back musically and started me on a great program. I had no idea how to read music, and the only notes I knew were the open strings. I got to take 7 weeks worth of lessons with Mack before I got to fly home to Phoenix, and now I can read, write, and play sheet music. I know the notes on the fretboard, and got a good introduction into jazz chords. I learned key signatures, circle of 5th, enouth bar chords to last me a lifetime, and some music theory. Overall, Mack was an excellent teacher. The only deownside to the lesson were that I did not take enough. I hope I will find a teacher as good as Mack in Phoenix but I wouldn't bet on it.
Matthew H. Highschool Student, Phoenix, Arizona
I have played the guitar for about 45 years. I dabbled in folk, country, rock, flamenco, classical, jazz, and pop styles. For more than ten years, I played semiprofessionally with two rock and pop music groups. When my stepson, Matthew, decided to learn to play, I did my Internet homework and came up with Mack Okubo. His resume was impressive, especially his two university degrees in music and his prior teaching experience. Mack proved to be an excellent instructor. Because the lessons were some distance from our home, I stayed for Matthew's lessons. So I saw firsthand how Mack works. Mack immediately assessed Matthew's skill level and started him on a very appropriate learning program. His lessons were excellent. I was also impressed with Mack's advice. He gave very sound counsel to Matthew about what is required to become proficient and what he needs to become a music major in guitar.
Jeff L., Retired, Palm City, Florida
The world of music is infinite. Unfortunately, most people live their lives in musically small worlds. For the relatively few that seek them out, there are worlds of musical elements to be discovered, and we are fortunate to have people like Mack Okubo who are willing to open the doors to these worlds and show us around. Before meeting Mack my musical knowledge was limited to a mainstream musical repertoire. Mack, however, exposed me to the genius of so many artists who live their lives in relative obscurity, for the sake of their craft: the ones who are pushing the limits of musical art and paving the way for the future. Not only has Mack let me taste of such artistic goodness, but he has equipped me with the practical tools needed to function in a world of such musical wonders. I would highly recommend Mack Okubo to anyone ready to open new options in their musical pursuits and is committed to working hard to apply them.
Geoff D., Guitarist, Worship LOUD Band and Heather Williams Band
In my opinion, Mr. Okubo is one of the best teachers I've studied guitar with. I am very grateful to have studied with Mr. Okubo before going off to school for jazz guitar. What really strikes me about Mr. Okubo is his wealth of information about music theory, jazz theory, guitar techniques and basically everything you need to know to master the guitar. You really can learn a lot from him depending on how hard you want to work as a student. I highly recommend him to any guitarist wishing to improve their skills.
Shane L., College Student, Tampa, Florida, 21
Mack teaches you how to really play the guitar, not just learning chords. He modifies his teaching to enable the student to learn both theory and technique, changing methods if one doesn't work well. My motivation is to learn guitar for fun. Mack is teaching me the buidling blocks that I will need to play many types of music for my own enjoyment.
Rebecca D., Trading Risk Manager, Port St. Lucie, Florida
Mr. Okubo has given Josiah a very sound musical theory foundation. In only a little over a year and a half, he is well into a music book that is used in beginning college courses and Josiah is only ten years old. Mr. Okubo uses a very sound and traditional approach in his teaching techniques. His system of teaching is very systematic and builds upon itself to reinforce and challenge Josiah's pursuit of guitar.
Sally Ann W. (Mother of Josiah W.), Middle School Art Teacher, Port St. Lucie, Florida
Mack Okubo Presents music & guitar technique in an "easy-to-understand" way-- He's a very effective teacher. Mack is a professional musician with very high standards. He explains things clearly & guides you to "getting it right..." and practicing so you really " OWN and PLAY it.!" Great Fit for me! - I'm retired and wanted professional guitar training while vacationing in Florida.
Dick M., Retired, Hutchinson Island, Florida, and Cape Cod, Massachusetts, 70
Mr. Okubo is by far the best instructor that I have worked with in the four years that I have been studying the guitar. He has a clear plan for the development of each of his students and includes a variety of tasks in each week's assignment. In so doing, he maintain a good balance between wanting you to master each assignment and keeping you moving forward. If you seriously want to grow as a guitarist, I can enthusiastically recommend that you consider working with Mr. Okubo.
Gary H., Retired, Vero Beach, Florida
I have been a student of Mack Okubo for almost five years and in that time he has proven to be the most learned and adept guitar instructor I have had. His method of teaching a very structured and thorough foundation to the instrument ensures any of his students are getting a valuable and effective education on the guitar. For more advanced students, Mack’s abilities in and knowledge of the inner workings of the jazz idiom provide the student with many challenging concepts which he breaks down to tasks almost any student can handle. Mack’s musical abilities far outweigh those of the average guitar teacher, and his breadth of knowledge pertaining to performance practice as well as stylistic nuances are hard to match. In my experience with Mack, one of the most important aspects of his teaching is that he actually cares how the student is progressing. He wants all his students to become excellent musicians. While it is always ultimately up to the student to become proficient at his instrument through practice, Mack definitely provides the tools necessary for a student to go to the next level.
Matt B., College Student, Boca Raton, Florida, 22
Mr. Okubo is an excellent insturctor. He has taught me more in 10 months than I've learned in my 3 years & 7 month of playing. I've learned how to think about my playing, look and see chords, listen for changes, and use what I've learned in appliance to my soloing. I grow in my playing every month or so, and get compliments on my inprovements by people that have heared me before.
Chase H., College Student, Port St. Lucie, Florida, 18
Mr. Okubo's teaching skills are very precise, direct, and effective, if you apply yourself to his teaching. He is very serious when it comes to music and is always willing to lend a helping hand when you don't understand any musical material.
Chris S., High School Student , Port St. Lucie, Florida, 18
If you are considering guitar lessons in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce in Florida you'll be happy to know that Mack provides private instruction in the following areas:
* Electric Guitar * Acoustic Guitar * Electric Bass * Jazz Improvisation * Composition * Traditional Music Theory * Jazz Theory * Music Notation Program (Finale) * College Preparation for future music majors
ALL AGES and LEVELS are Welcome Please contact:
for more details about lessons.
All Rights Reserved. Content Copyright 2007 Mack Okubo.
Testimonials 
