Guitar Lessons in Itasca, IL

Instruments: Guitar Voice Violin Bass Guitar Harmonica

I've been teaching voice and violin for the past year and a half to children and adults but I mostly tend to work with younger students from early teens well into the 20s who want to pursue music. The background for my teaching experience comes from a few different sources. In 2014-2015, as an operations director and mentor with non-profit Off The Wall Graffiti in LA, I would regularly mentor young people who were getting in trouble for doing graffiti in the streets and needed guidance and a positive way to be creative. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums

First I think it is important to get to know the student and chat about what their intentions are musically. Then I can customize a lesson plan for them which includes warming up, techniques, and repertoire. I sometimes find it helpful to discuss of elements music theory, aural skills, and reading music depending on the students desires in those areas. I strive to motivate students by picking material they are excited about. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My methods vary according to the student.  If the student is less than 12 years old, I like to use the Hal Leonard Method 1 book.  If the student is 12 or older, I may still use the Hal Leonard book, but I assess the students goals, and find out what they would like to learn.  Whatever style of music the student is interested in learning, I believe in teaching proper posture and sound technique.  For anyone interested in learning classical guitar, I recommend a book titled Pumping Nylon by Scott Tennant. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Double Bass Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I got my start in the experimental Minneapolis music scene as an adolescent in the early 2000's, the spirit of which I carried with me to Oberlin, OH. I got my Bachelors of Music from the conservatory there, where I designed my own major in Contemporary Bass Performance. The major allowed me to pursue my interest in Jazz, Classical, Computer Music and composition, extended techniques, and historical performance. In addition to my studies, I have toured internationally with the Oberlin Orchestra and several other groups, and have released seven albums of my own material. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I've played music for over half my life now, and guitar has shaped my life for the better in ways I've never thought possible. Throughout that time, I've taught lessons on and off for the past 7 years. I have always enjoyed teaching, and passing on my knowledge and hopefully my passion for playing the guitar and songwriting has always been a wonderful experience. One of my favorite things about teaching is that when I dissect every element of my playing to be able to teach it to someone else, by the time I've shown someone else a new technique, I've found that my own playing improves. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

My name is Leah and I am a passionate musician, creator and people person. I am originally from Dayton Ohio and I have lived in Chicago for four years. I recently graduated from Columbia College Chicago where I earned my Bachelors of Music degree in Contemporary, Urban and Popular Music with a jazz guitar focus. I have been playing guitar for eleven years. I started teaching myself pop music, studied classical guitar in high school, then transitioned to jazz guitar when I moved to Chicago. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style is designed to give each student a feeling of progress and real growth each lesson. It's essential that every student practice every day for at least 30min in order for my method to really work. In short, I like to be a resource for my students. A person who can present the information as clear and concise as possible. If the student wants to learn just rock or blues, I would show them licks and scales that are primarily used in those styles as well as learn any song they want to learn. Read More