Ben C
5.0
(44)
Instruments: Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Electronic, Showtunes, Spirituals, Reggae, Swing, New Age, Soul, Marching Band, Punk, Avant-garde
Ben C
5.0
(44)
Instruments: Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Electronic, Showtunes, Spirituals, Reggae, Swing, New Age, Soul, Marching Band, Punk, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 8-80
Bachelor Degree: Berklee College of Music
Spring 2006 – Spring 2009: Berklee Achievement Scholarship Recipient
Fall 2004 – Spring 2006: Berklee Entering Student Talent Scholarship Recipient
Fall 2004 and Spring 2008: Dean’s List, Berklee College of Music
Spring 2004: Louis Armstrong Jazz Award (as guitarist in NHS Jazz Ensemble)
I picked up my first guitar at the age of 13, and I've been addicted to it ever since. I graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2009 with a degree in Professional Music. I currently play guitar for international-touring Video Game Metal band Powerglove, as well as national-touring Progressive Metal band Lattermath. PowerGlove tours the US and Canada regularly with bands such as Dragonforce, mc chris, Symphony X, and Sonata Arctica. We have played on the Summer Slaughter Tour, and have appeared at Video Game, anime and Comic conventions such as PAX East, MAGFest, Youmacon, A&G Ohio and New York Comic Con. Recently, we've played on the 70,000 Tons of Metal Cruise, and at the SXSW Gaming Festival.
I have been passionately teaching guitar lessons to people of all ages and experience levels since 2000. I also taught youth and teen band classes and clinics at Plugged In Band Program in Needham, MA from 2005 to 2018, prior to moving to Los Angeles in January 2019. I enjoy passing on wisdom gained from years of playing in professional bands and studying music. I continue to strive to push the limits of my own playing, and encourage my students to do the same. Although I specialize in rock, metal, and blues, I am also well-versed in a wide variety of other styles. I always make it fun and engaging right from the first lesson! I maintain a relaxed, anxiety-free teaching style that is focused on the individual goals of each student, no matter what their level of experience and stylistic preferences might be.
Your lessons are all about you! My lesson plans are customized for each student, based on their level, goals, and stylistic preferences. Here are some examples of what we can work on, depending on your playing level:
For beginners, we will start with the fundamentals: open chords, strumming, rhythm, reading tabs, and if you are interested, reading music. Right from the first lesson, you'll learn fun songs that you get to pick yourself! If you are interested in playing rock and metal, we move on to power chords and barre chords, pentatonic scale soloing, and studying the bands and guitar players you love. If you love acoustic and folk styles, I have an extensive library of finger picking pieces we can learn.
If you are an intermediate player, you can expect to expand your knowledge of the fretboard, learn modes, arpeggios, music theory, and a more in-depth study of different techniques including: alternate picking, legato, tapping, sweep picking and hybrid picking. You'll learn how to put it all together to play things you never thought you could, express your ideas, and take your creativity to the next level!
If you are already an advanced player, then most likely you have very specific goals and areas you would like to improve upon. I will create specific exercises and plans to help you take your playing in new directions, and fill in any gaps in your knowledge of music and your instrument. Whether it's music theory, songwriting, recording and production, arranging, specific techniques, or just having someone to organize and guide your practice and goals, I can get your there!
If you are a high school student preparing for a college or scholarship audition, I have tons of experience in helping students to get into the music college of their choice and to get scholarships! Many of my past students have gone on to study at prestigious schools, such as Berklee College of Music, and then gone on to become professional musicians themselves!
I love seeing my students become as passionate about music as I am! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. It's important for each student to have just the right amount of material to work on each week, so that they are progressing without feeling overwhelmed. I also make sure to acknowledge the work that might students put in, and encourage them to feel proud of what they accomplish. This drives my students' desire to want to constantly improve and to learn more.
Nancy Dobos
Ben was an excellent guitar teacher for my son for several years starting in elementary school and continuing into high school. Ben has the ability to relate to both younger kids and to teenagers. I always appreciated the positivity and encouragement he brought to each lesson with my son.
Isaiah Milgroom
I first met Ben when I was in high school and he was the teacher for a rock band ensemble class I was in near Boston. He was such an inspiring teacher that I soon started weekly private guitar lessons with him and continued for three years. I loved taking lessons with Ben. Any genre/style/technique I wanted to learn, Ben always took a genuine interest in helping me achieve my goals. He is knowledgeable, upbeat, professional, friendly, and a great resource. Plus he plays in some very unique, cool bands!
Chris Abbott
If you are looking for an incredible guitar teacher, I highly recommend Ben. He was able to clearly and effectively measure my skill level as well as monitor my progress while tailoring lessons towards achieving my goals. Ben provided a fun learning environment in which I not only learned technical exercises, which I still use to this day, but also a foundation for how to approach guitar and music for my own personal development.
Keith Maxwell
Ben is an excellent teacher who truly understands his students. His lessons cater to the goals of each individual musician, and he truly cares about seeing them improve. Highly recommend!
Anthony Shrout
I’m an guitar player in my later 30’s that’s just a hobbyist trying to elevate their playing though lessons and Ben’s knowledge, approach and teaching style were a perfect fit for what I needed. Ben has been able to craft lessons that both have strengthened my fundamentals and theory but are also fun and have made the guitar more engaging for me. I’m playing on new places on the fret board and beginning to hear the notes I want to play. In only a few months even my wife has noticed an improvement. Ben has also very flexible with scheduling on a weekly/monthly basis, for those like myself who have an ever changing schedule. From rock to jazz blues and metal, Ben has the versatility and knowledge to improve your playing, no matter what level. Not to mention he’s a pretty cool dude you can talk about guitars, gear and bands with.
Sue Anne
Ben is an exceptional guitar teacher for my 11 year old son. My son says that "Ben is the best guitar teacher I've ever had. As soon as I started working with Ben I saw improvements because of his helpful tips!" Ben is professional, reliable and overall a highly skilled teacher. We very much recommend 10/10!!
Ben Jacobs
Ben is a great teacher. He taught me on and off for 8 or so years (probably more) and the only impediment to my advancement was my own level of discipline and time. He is a highly-talented guitar player, musician, and composer and is able to both appreciate and teach music from pretty much any genre. While Ben's performance life centers on metal and related genres, he was able to teach me anything under the sun in my favored genre (jam band music, etc.) while also appreciating the material I brought to lessons hoping to learn for what it was. In other words, Ben is highly versatile, excessively patient, and will meet his students in the middle to guide them through anything they wish to learn, so long as the student is able to do the same and provide the effort necessary to improve.
John G
Great having Ben as an instructor. Had me picking simple riffs in no time, and I've been learning steadily since then. Patient instructor and relaxed atmosphere, which I really needed. Enjoyed every minute of his instructions!
Ryan Sheldon
Extremely proficient guitar player, very friendly and flexible with lessons/times/content.
Tony Y
Ben is not only a great guitar player, he has the gift to teach. The attention to detail is incredible. If you want to learn correctly and make major improvements with playing the guitar, Ben is your beat option. He can teach at all levels too. You will not be disappointed.
Chris Salyers
Easily the best music instructor I have ever met. Ben has been teaching my son for 6 months, the energy and professionalism Ben brings makes practice something we look forward to in our house. My son has been playing guitar and bass for 4 years and we have gone through the local ring of instrument shop teachers and Craigslist teachers. All of which were great while he was progressing, but over time he has outgrown what they have to offer. Ben has shaped my sons lessons around the music he enjoys, the music theory driving that music, and has guided him into being a more intelligent and musically aware guitar player. We use Skype to connect with Ben remotely each week, making lesson time easy to get going. Ben has always been flexible with our schedule and understanding of competing home schedules. It has been amazing to watch my son’s ability grow week over week with Ben’s guidance. If you are looking for a professional, engaged, and all around great person for an instructor, send him a message. Chris Salyers Brighton, MI
Josh Gaspard
I've been taking lessons with Ben for several months, and he's helped me with every aspect of my playing - general technique, music theory, improvisation, etc. He's always happy to spend extra time answering any questions you may have, and he never ends a lesson until a topic is complete. Ben is both a great guitarist and teacher, and I definitely recommend him for anyone trying to advance their skills as a guitarist and/or a musician.
Maia
Ben was my guitar teacher for two years. He taught me a lot about music theory and gave me a fun mnemonic to remember the circle of fifths. He also helped me with my Berklee College of Music audition and was kind enough to write me a recommendation for college.
Pawel Ska
Ben is incredibly knowledgeable and makes the lessons digestible for beginners. He is also very patient giving his students opportunity to learn at their own pace. The assignments were very helpful with my development of the fundamentals. I fully recommend his guitar lessons for players of all skill levels!
Dan Goldberg
Ben taught guitar to both me and my teenage son and was always able to tailor the lessons to whatever we needed. Some days it would be my favorite solo and other days we would discuss music theory. And he was always patient and willing to help you work toward your goals. Oh, and I should also mention that he’s a gifted guitarist and a great guy.
Check out our A+
Rating from the Better Business Bureau
100% Risk-Free Trial Lesson
If you are not satisfied after your trial lesson, you will not be charged and we can match you with another teacher.