Guitar Lessons in Mahwah, NJ

Instruments: Guitar Harmonica Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Guitar has a bit of a steep learning curve at first, so I work on the basics of forming a good sound and producing clean notes and chords. Once that's established, I try to inspire students by showing just how much music can be made with as little as three chords. I'll help students learn their favorite songs and use those as an avenue for learning more technique. The best way to learn is by doing something interesting, so I use drills to help reinforce the songs students actually want to learn how to play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I am an intuitive teacher: I have learned how to observe my students, their moods, their energy levels, and adjust my lesson plan on the fly. For instance, one student has ADHD, which I manage by injecting exciting new rhythms for him to mimic when I see his attention wander. I then harness that renewed focus towards the original goal of the lesson, whether it’s learning a new time signature or a complex cross-rhythm. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Conga Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style is all about the growth of the student and doing what I can to spur their progress. Being new to private instruction, I am eager to discover what teaching methods work most effectively for each student I interact with, and even strengthen my own guitar skills in the process. In teaching, I aim to help make music feel like fun as opposed to a chore or obligation and pass on what I have found most effective and helpful in my journey thus far. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Classical Guitar

New York city composer and guitarist Juan is a native of Ecuador raised in Colombia. He immigrated to Miami at age 20 to escape the political climate of the late 90’s, and resides in Manhattan since 2008. Juan’s music blends elements from his unique life experiences, having been raised as an only child by a single mother in a bohemian environment. He was a recording and touring rock guitarist in Colombia, and he has studied East Asian music extensively, inspired by interaction with musicians and artists in China, Japan, and Indonesia. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have taught guitar for over twenty years to students of all ages and talents, in individual lessons and groups. I first started in my native Barcelona at the Taller de Msics, where I taught college-level students, jazz guitar, improvisation, and small jazz ensembles. In the United States, I have taught private lessons, group lessons, and after-school programs in Brooklyn and Manhattan. All styles are welcome as many of the techniques are common to all of them, but I mostly focus on Jazz and classical guitar. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Acoustic Guitar

When I teach, I tend to forget the time. I always walk an extra mile, vocal lessons especially. I want my students to learn the basic techniques on how to use their vocal chords, where to place their voices, how to memorize, how to hold the mic, how to emcee, how to phrase, express, improvise which really needs time in learning. But after that, students will be more inspired, motivated, more eager to learn and challenge themselves to be better singers or performers. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

I first ask each student to play for me so I can properly gauge the student's ability. From there, I assign practice pieces and songs that work on the techniques that require the most work. I have used this method for years and all of my students have found this to be the easiest and fastest way to improve. The practice pieces I write are written in the genre that the student wishes to practice. Read More