Guitar Lessons in Oak Park, IL

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Saxophone Clarinet Recorder Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I never imagined God had plans for me to be a music teacher. I had taken piano lessons for about 15 years (later adding recorder, guitar, violin, clarinet, saxophone, and cello) and was working as a front desk receptionist in a music school when a teacher notified us of an unexpected long-term absence. My boss--who had known me for almost 20 years, and who taught me piano-- approached me and said she would like ME to teach the affected students. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

Depending on the age group of the student, my methods vary. With children, I will usually start by trying to gauge their musical interest and develop a strategy from there. Usually, this involves learning basic chord forms and progressions, until they are ready to start learning a bit of theory, and therefore how to solo. For adults, I simply ask them about their musical interests and tastes, and ask them what their ultimate goal is, and then set shorter goals to help achieve the ultimate goal. Read More

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

I have taught privately on and off for the past 5 years. I generally encourage students to practice consistently and efficiently to achieve the results they desire. Being a multi-instrumental musicians has given me the advantage to use the different disciplines to teach in different methods, instructional languages, and pieces in order to reach the students. This has given me a versatile teaching style that generally allows me to associate well with my students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Electric Guitar

My teaching style is that I set a plan for every student I have. For instance, I will apply reading notes, but that will not work for each student, each student is different and would prefer another style of teaching. That's when i would test their own level of memorization. I would teach each student chord structure of memorizing maximum 2 chords. Once each student fully has the 2 chords memorized I would hand them a sheet of paper, giving them instructions on top of the paper, stating Now that you have mastered memorizing the chords I would want you to come up with a small melody by building a staff with a time signature and writing the notes on the sheet of paper. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Harmonica Recorder Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

i use many different books for different students. whether they are children or adults. i typically use hal leonard books such as fast track or play today or essential elements. other method books i teach are mel bay, alfred's, warner brothers, kjos, fjh, suzuki and many others. i have my own fun and fast way i teach to learn about music and your particular instrument. i motivate each student accordingly. and i guide them thru the many challenges music has to offer. in all, music should be a part in everyone's life. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

The great thing about private one-on-one lessons is the individualized pace and learning style. I like to understand the most effective ways my student learns. Some students need to be immersing themselves in exercises that allow them to create and experience the music through a personal lens. Some students prefer to hone in on the technical work and theory. Both are important skills for a well-rounded player but depending on the student's personality they may be more inclined toward one or the other. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I have a very hands-on teaching style. My style is very "goal-oriented," and I will teach students to set short-term goals, medium goals, and then demonstrate to them how reaching the short and medium-term goals leads to accomplishing long-term goals. This system allows students to remain motivated and track their progress as efficiently as possible. As a visual learner, I find it's extremely beneficial to teach shapes and how they can be manipulated to better serve a musical purpose along with the theory behind the shapes themselves. Read More