Guitar Lessons in River Forest, IL

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar

I'm a well motivated instructor who enjoys working with students of any age. During and after college I found it rewarding to work with students in a classroom and private setting.Over the past 40 years my students recieved the same in depth musical education that I recieved with an added bonus due to my success and expirience as freelance musician. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Violin Bass Guitar Harmonica

The first lesson is always partly an interview so I can understand exactly what the student's goals are. I typically establish good posture and breathing habits (or bowing and fingering, if violin) first and then move on to essential warm-up exercises. Those exercises then become their regular homework, to hopefully be practiced multiple times a week or if possible, every day. I remind the student of breathing and posture regularly - good habits are the goal! Read More

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

I have developed a semi-structured method for beginning students, taking material from different books and then combining them. For advanced students, I trust they know more about what and how they want to learn than I, and can certainly help them work out their kinks! Regardless, I feel it's vital that students are exposed to a variety of different musical styles. Focusing solely on one hampers creativity, pigeon-holes you as a musician, and, at least in my travels, makes you an EXTREMELY boring individual. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Playing music takes a lot of time and patience as well as a lot of practice playing by yourself and in front of people. I am very relaxed and motivated to help my students learn and I will guide you through everything. I would prefer that students bring their own guitars so that you would be more comfortable playing your own instrument, if you can't or do not have one, I have guitars here that you may use but during our sessions only. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Recorder Euphonium Tuba Mallet Percussion

For beginning students I believe it's important for them to begin playing the first day. I get the students to make their first sound and teach the technique and theory as they learn their instrument. For beginning voice students I use the same method, but I like to use a song that the student knows. For students with experience I like to have them play or sing something they know and I evaluate that and I will work with them on that song and build their technique. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Trumpet

I am passionate about teaching. Music education is but a second thought of most of our children's primary educational settings, so I wanted to create a learning environment that focuses on performance and execution. I am a composer and arranger, so I also like to infuse some basic music theory and compositional/improvisational techniques into my lessons. In short, I am trying to foster new artists! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Ukulele Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Electric Guitar Djembe

In essence, my love of teaching stems from my Mom's love of teaching. She sincerely desired to teach my siblings and myself to pursue our highest dreams. It turned out that I did succeed as a star performer in music, on stages around the world. But also, when I decided to settle down, I added education to my 10-year plan. So, I went back to school for another master's degree, and taught music in CPS - performing three nights per week with my the Bartels/Benson duo, Connexion Band, Prohibition Orchestra, Bryan Skyler Trio, and other groups. Read More