Guitar Lessons in River Forest, IL

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar

I believe in providing a well rounded education for you or your child. My approach entails a 50/50 split between doing the hard work necessary to excel and learning to enjoy music. Therefore, their will be and allotment of standard scales, chords, sight-reading and music theory education. However, one must also learn how to use these elements to find there own stylized expression, creative abilities and improvisational voice, which I believe to be necessary if one is to really enjoy music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginners and intermediate drummers, I teach Hal Leonard's Drum Set Methods as well as rudiment drum pad training exercises designed to build control and confidence when stroking. Once students have learned the fundamentals and are using all four limbs to create drum patterns, I individualize my lessons for the drummer, making sure they are getting what they want out of the lessons while still staying sharp on notation, pad practice, drumming diction, etc. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Mandolin

find that each student brings with them their own skills, strengths and weaknesses when learning music. I have observed that forcing the same study method to each individual can result in a student disliking and rebelling against music lessons. I will customize and provide a clear path using multiple resources to each individual student. Encouraging the student to develop a musical ear by selecting music that we can later review in class, and helping them achieve their music goals along with a solid foundation on music theory. Read More

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

The most effective teachers that I have had were teachers who recognized these important factors in the student-teacher relationship- that the best education experiences occur when both the student and the teacher embark on a positively-reinforced exploration together as opposed to the teacher solely dictating negatively to the student. It's with this spirit that I intend to conduct every lesson that I teach, because it is also through making the relationship one of mutual exploration and nurturing that I will give my past experiences of joy to my students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Saxophone Clarinet Recorder Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I am goofy kind of gal who is a kid at heart so, while I do not allow the students to goof-off during practice, I definitely encourage the children to have fun and take breaks. Learning a new skill is taxing on the brain so I do enjoy inserting some brain-breaks here and there, when necessary. I'm also a very big sticker advocate! Most children enjoy them, and I love rewarding them after completing a song we've been working on. 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: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I teach students to read music and achieve excellence, and learn to play contemporary music using chord sheets, depending on the goals and preference of the student; Teaching the importance of training the ear, which is where the confidence lies and the ability to play. Using methods that enables musicians to play what they actually conceive or hear rather than bore their listeners with licks and notes that work off a page. Read More