Guitar Lessons in Lyons, IL

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums

I have loved music from a very early age and I have been fortunate to study a variety of instruments and musical styles. I grew up studying the drums, piano, guitar, voice, and songwriting. I have been in a cover bands, original bands, jazz bands, choirs, a country band, a steel drum band, marching band, opera, a pop orchestra, a hip hop ensemble, and musical theatre productions. In college I took my studies further by learning music theory and aural skills while still performing in ensembles and writing lots of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Recorder Euphonium French Horn Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I start my students with a single lesson where I gain a knowledge about the student's musical abilities and personality. I don't generally start with a single method book, because I believe that in individual lessons, the methods used should be tailored to fit the student. I will pull from Essential Elements, Accent on Achievement, and Standard of Excellence, as well as writing and devising my own warm ups and methods. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Bass Guitar Synthesizer French Horn

As a composer and multi-instrumentalist, I have put myself in a position that brings me across an extremely wide and dense variety of music that I've been only too happy to explore. In addition to my long-running classical training with piano, clarinet and composition, I've explored jazz, world, rock, fusion, electronic and avant-garde music through the acquisition of my composition degree and through extensive research and self-teaching with saxophone and guitar. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

So I want my students to come away not only with an understanding of how to play, not only with knowledge of what they're hearing and even how they're hearing it, but importantly, an enjoyment of the instrument and a respect for it's difficulties. More concretely, students should expect to receive handouts and homework for each lesson, as well as recommendations for music apps they can use. As alluded to earlier, we'll work out of some books, but I just copy and print the pages we need so there's no need to spend extra cash. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I started teaching in the South Suburbs of Chicago in 2003, at a store called Ancient Music.  Shortly after that, I started teaching at a store called Melody, before I took on students on my own.  I took a hiatus from teaching because of some physical problems until 2012, when I started teaching at a place called Down Home Guitars in Frankfort Il.  In 2015 I started teaching at the Beverly Arts Center. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching experience began with a few friends of mine in college. It was just for the fun of it at first, until others outside my circle of friends began to approach me about lessons, through word of mouth. I was soon known in my class to be the guy to go to learn more about music. In fact not all of these friends came to me for just guitar lessons, a couple I have taught beginner piano to as well. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Violin Bass Guitar Harmonica

My approach is definitely supportive and positive, but I don't let that get in the way of challenging the student. I am not afraid to tell the student that they can do better. It's very important to get to know the student's goals and inspirations. That way, I can focus on the skills they need. Also, I like to let the student learn songs by artists they love (if applicable) because it motivates them and sometimes it ends up being the sound they want to go for anyway. Read More