Peter Mendel
Guitar & Electric Bass Instructor
• Mid-Wilshire
Studio
(323) 653-5929, ext. 11
e-mail: peter@lorimoranmusic.com
Peter Mendel is a Los Angeles based professional guitarist, teacher and composer who has played for numerous recording
projects and movies. An eclectic player, Peter specializes in jazz, blues, funk, rock, fusion, and advanced improvisation.
He enjoys working with young students and advanced players, helping to shape their ideas in music as well as their
style and phrasing, and finding their true musical voice.
Peter Mendel studied guitar with blues/fusion guitarist Robben Ford, the original guitarist in the Yellowjackets, who also played with jazz
great, Miles Davis. He received his BA in Jazz Guitar/Composition at California Institute of
the Arts, studying under Larry Koonse and Miroslav Tadic, and an AA in Performance Guitar from Musicians Institute, graduating
with honors and studying with Scott Henderson of Tribal Tech and LA session great Allen Hinds. He attended
the ‘Berkelee in LA’ summer music program, and was a member of Santa Barbara City College’s prestigious
Monday Night Madness and Lunch-break big bands under the direction of Dr. Charles Wood, playing electric and upright bass
as well as guitar. His awards include the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, and the Outstanding Stylist/Player
Award given by Scott Henderson of Tribal Tech.
As a professional musician, Peter has played on numerous albums and movies, ranging in styles from jazz and blues to metal
and rock. His specialties have been improvisation, rhythm playing, and groove. Peter doesn't use a
pick, preferring to use a touch that allows him to produce a unique tone, whether playing rhythm or playing
leads. His style is a combination of Bill Frisell, Robben Ford, Mark Knopfler, and Charlie Hunter.
Some of his recording references and credits include:
- 2 Records with Jazz/Rock/Hip Hop group "Vajra"
- 2 Records and a live
DVD with Joel Clemmons & The Lemons
- Several recording credits with Producer Eric Valentine (Smashmouth,
Lost Prophets, Queens of the Stone Age)
- Several Recordings with Free Jazz Group "The
Undecided Trio"
- 2 Movies Soundtrack/Scoring credits with film maker Ben Shelton
His teaching experience includes seven years of teaching private guitar lessons at Jensen Guitar & Music Company,
and two years at Santa Barbara City College, where he taught jazz combo classes and Advanced Jazz Improvisation Theory/Performance
class for guitar, and assisted with the SBCC summer jazz program. His teaching focuses on playing style,
phrasing, and individual touch, and he encourages students to find their own unique sound.
"Music is an amazing thing – it can completely change your
life and truly create a connection within yourself that was never possible before. Finding your personal voice is the best
thing you can do, whether you want to learn to strum a few chords by the campfire or immerse yourself in music as a profession.
The first step is picking up the guitar with a desire to learn. From then on your options are limitless and I can help
you to get there with fun, interactive lessons that will make you want to go home and just play."
--Peter Mendel
Click
the links below to listen to Peter playing guitar.
