Guitar Lessons in Northlake, IL

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

Fun, energetic and productive! My students always say that they leave their lessons with a burst of inspiration. I love to teach my students the basic tools of what it takes to be a professional musician, whether or not they are into music as a hobby or as a serious profession. I currently play drums for the hit Broadway musical (non-union version) of Rock of Ages and when I'm not on the road; Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

The students long-term goals shape the curriculum. Its important to keep them excited about the material, especially if theyre new to music. Ive found the most effective way to do so is to show how good technique and basic theory apply to music theyre already listening to. Eventually, students see common threads between different styles and genres. Ideally, students will walk away with more eclectic musical preferences. Equally important is to trace a style back to its roots. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

Lesson materials are customized based on each student's individual goals. I use a combination of tried and true books along with materials that I have created over my 16 years of teaching. Here is a quick list of some of the books I use: General Guitar Skills - Progressive Guitar Method, A Modern Method for Guitar, Melodic Rhythms for Guitar Jazz Guitar - Jazz Harmony on the Guitar, Approaching the Guitar, Jazz Conception for Guitar, The Brazilian Guitar Book Classical Guitar - Pumping Nylon, 100 Graded Classical Guitar Studies, The Library of Guitar Classics, The Solo Lute Works of J.S. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I gave my first private lessons for guitar while I was a sophomore in high school! A few of my friends always wanted to learn to play and I gave it my all to try and teach them! What I gained from that experience was that nobody learns the same way, so I've kept that as my teaching mantra for the past decade! I have been professionally teaching for the past 3 years, but have been teaching and tutoring for the past 10 years. 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

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 Violin Acoustic Guitar

I have always enjoyed music and playing music and found it natural to play for my friends and family. And weather it was in school orchestra, garage band, or friends with guitars, I shared my knowledge with other players. The best part of teaching for me is when I introduce some new material and explain it and the light bulb goes off and the child gets that big eyed look, I see that the student understands it. Read More