Derek Barber is a Bay Area-based guitarist, songwriter, and music educator. In 2008, Barber graduated from the University of Michigan with a BFA in Jazz Improvisation in Guitar. On a full-ride scholarship to the University’s School of Music, he studied privately with internationally-acclaimed Jazz musicians/educators Geri Allen and Robert Hurst. There, he honed his improvisation, transcription, and music theory – skills he brings to his musical pursuits as well as to his fifteen-plus years of teaching.
An active contributor and member of critically acclaimed Bay Area bands Bells Atlas, Astronauts, etc., Barber’s solo project is Perhapsy. He is also a sought-after session guitarist, with recording credits at Tiny Telephone Studios, Fantasy, Decibelle, and several others. Aside from his experience in teaching, music composition, recording, editing, and mixing, Barber is also a regularly hired visual artist.
He believes in a cheerful and professional attitude toward teaching his students and is a firm believer that music and art is a truly exciting and life-long pursuit. Derek teaches online private lessons in guitar, bass, and ukulele. Request a lesson with Derek.
“Stellar songwriting with some especially gorgeous guitar work from Derek Barber.”
– Premier Guitar Magazine
“Derek Barber’s guitar work flits from jagged edges to smooth licks like vogue.”
– AFROPUNK
