I have been studying classical guitar, composition and music theory with Dr. Smoot for… 20 years now. It goes without saying, after such a time, that he is more than just a teacher. Dr. Smoot has been an educator, guide, mentor, and friend on top of being a world class instructor. He is full of wisdom, humor, and – thankfully – patience. I also know I’m not alone in holding him in such high regard; he has helped many students with every aspect of their artistic and creative well-being. To put it lightly, it was a stroke of fortune to have crossed his path many years ago, and I plan on continuing my journey under his tutelage for many years to come.

– Greg Wasylik, Account Manager & Musician, KMI Learning & Wazatron Studios

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Dr. Smoot is a masterful teacher. I’ve studied with him for over 12 years and his musical knowledge is vast. In my time as a student, I’ve studied music theory and history, ear training, arranging, and classical guitar, and I know of no private teacher that can match his expertise. I’ve seen three of his works premiered by internationally known performers, and I love his music. As someone who took up music as an adult, Dr. Smoot has helped me discover my hidden talents and made me feel that my talents were valuable. I’ve studied with other musicians over the last 12 years, and while good, none can match Dr. Smoot’s skill as a musician and teacher. He continues to be a wonderful mentor and an inspiration.

— Daniel Payne, Payne Behavioral Services, LLC

Working with Richard has profoundly helped me grow as a guitarist and a musician.  I think about music in different ways since working with him, and it has only deepened my enjoyment of the music.  My playing feels much more free and fluid.  Perhaps most importantly, Richard has taken my musical development seriously — no matter that I have no professional aspirations in music.  This is not an easy quality to find.

— Professor Joe Tien, Mathematician, The Ohio State University

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I have been a student of Dr. Smoot’s for nearly six years. I came to him as an older student (54 at the time), with no musical background; just a desire to learn to play the guitar. His teaching style has been remarkable, challenging, encouraging and fun! To learn from a master, such as Dr. Smoot, who is willing to work with a student such as myself, and watch me grow, has been a true blessing.

 –Barry Fonarow

Dr. Richard Smoot welcomed my lost musical soul and helped me work toward having a wonderful musical life. Coming in with limited experience, Richard has guided me over the past 12 years to develop many musical skills such as sight reading, classical guitar technique, performance skills, practicing skills, musical theory, ear training and much more. Beyond these skills, Richard has guided my growth musically to not only play music, but to be able to listen and relate to music as an artist. Richard is very professional and a wonderful mentor. His teaching methods and music are inspiring.

— Trey Fortner

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Dr. Smoot is an accomplished classical guitar teacher. His lessons focus on a student’s overall technical development, giving students tools to become educated and creative players with minimal wear/damage to wrists and joints.

“Dr. Smoot was recommended to me by many different people as the preeminent classical guitar teacher in Columbus. I have studied guitar with him for 4 years now and have seen steady growth as a player and musician. His guitar teaching approach is eclectic- his roots are in discipline of the Segovia tradition, but he has expanded his methods to include using relaxation and energy flow techniques, with an emphasis on using the fingers like a brush to creatively color the music one is playing for maximum expression.
Dr. Smoot plays and teaches guitar in effective, balanced, and nuanced fashion,  (he also teaches composition) to all kinds of people with various talents and/or skill levels.
As a teacher myself, I have noted how well Dr. Smoot relates to and encourages his students, whether they be children, adolescents, or adults. As part of the program, his students get to perform pieces we have been working on at a yearly student recital that showcases our progress in a relaxed and cordial studio setting.

Bottom line- if you want to explore the guitar as a real instrument, and grow as a musician, I recommend you contact Richard to get in on his unique and personalized instructional program.”

— Mike Pettibone, Gifted Specialist at Columbus City Schools

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I first heard of Dr. Smoot from a close friend and colleague. We ran into each other at a local guitar shop. I was with my son (9 years old at the time), who was singing along with some music that was playing on a vinyl record player. Hearing this, my friend wrote down Dr. Smoot’s information and implored me to contact him about music and guitar lessons for my son.

I later called Dr. Smoot and scheduled a meeting. I expected the typical guitar/music lesson scenario—30-minute lessons following some sort of basic method. I was skeptical and was looking for more than that. I played classical guitar in the past, and I wanted my son to learn the correct method with a foundation for music and music theory. I couldn’t have been more pleased. I quickly realized that Dr. Smoot was not the typical music store instructor. Even at the first meeting, it was obvious that my son was in for a unique experience.

Dr. Smoot stressed the importance of a solid foundation of technique based on the student’s individual needs and characteristics. He stressed the importance of artistic expression and the value that has on a child’s overall development (beyond just music).
We agreed to give it try for a few lessons. That was almost five years ago. My son’s musical ability has flourished. He spends an hour a week with Dr. Smoot exploring guitar, music theory, and composition. He is writing his own music on guitar and piano, he is performing in school talent shows, and he has developed an understanding of music theory that exceeds anything I thought possible.

But that is only half of the story. I played guitar and classical guitar years ago. But after my college years, I let it go in favor of family and a career. And beyond the typical excuses, I thought I put my classical guitar days to rest 15 years ago after a nasty table saw accident. I lost the of tip of my right middle finger. That was all I needed to give up any serious thoughts of playing classical guitar.

I showed my injury to Dr. Smoot and explained that I can’t (don’t) really play much anymore. I told him my finger injury made it impossible for me to play with any real technique. It wasn’t the first time I’ve given this excuse for not playing. Hearing this, most people simply nod and shrug as if to say, “too bad.” And I expected something similar from Dr. Smoot. His response was simple: “why not?” I could tell immediately that typical excuses were not going to work. Soon I was dusting off my guitar and joining my son at Dr. Smoot’s studio.

Now after almost 5 years of studying with Dr. Smoot, I don’t even realize I’m playing without my middle finger. Dr. Smoot was resolute and undeterred by my “shortcoming.” His unique approach to music and guitar instruction is not restrained by such limits. The issue for him was not that I couldn’t use my middle finger. The question was how I could take advantage of my unique situation and utilize the rest of my assets.
For years I wanted more out of music, but I was either afraid or “too busy” to engage in real study. I didn’t know how or where to start. Now I’m learning college level music theory and playing a repertoire that I never thought possible.

Like many of Dr. Smoot’s students, I have a real life and a professional career. I was always interested in music of all sorts, but I dismissed it as something that “I could have done if I really wanted to.” Now it is something that I’m doing regularly as a part of my daily routine.
At different times in the past I have considered (and even tried) learning music, guitar, and theory on my own or with some other instructor. But the experience always fell short. The internet didn’t work for me. And teachers always seem like they just want to “check the box” and get the monthly payment. Until I met Dr. Smoot, I never understood how “real” guitarists were able to make the instrument sound so much better (even when they played the simple stuff). It was almost as if there was a secret, and I wasn’t privy to it.

Dr. Smoot is eager to share his expertise without reservation. And the experience has been eye-opening. No matter what the piece of music or what level, Dr. Smoot provides a “masterclass” experience every week—without ego, pretense, or judgment. I could not recommend him more highly.
Stephen Palmer, Attorney at Yavitch & Palmer., L.P.A.

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Student letter upon graduating from high school:

Dear Dr. Smoot,

Thank you so much for all that you’ve done for me for the past four years. I was a young and very eager student when I first started. Now I’m wiser and know much more than I thought I would’ve learned or expected to learn when I was first curious. Thank you for all the time you contributed to get me to where I am today. Thanks, Rachel

Rachel Yee, Student studying music composition at Oberlin Consewrvatory, TIMARA