Best Guitar Lessons 2022
Music Gallery Academy
Music Gallery Academy, established in Highland Park in 1974, teaches Chicagoland students how to play guitar as well as piano, drums, banjo, mandolin, and ukelele. The Music Gallery Academy's full-time teaching faculty includes several successful guitarists and bassists from the Chicago music scene. AJ Hanson, Dave Krater, Bill Uhler, Spencer Johnson, Torin Hopkins, and Frank J. Rumoro have years of experience in both performing and teaching.
Upbeat Music
Established in 2000, Upbeat Music is a Chicago music school that provides local students, both young and old, with lessons in playing piano, violin, bass, guitar, vocals, and drums. The school's 15 music teachers all have university training and on-stage performance experience. And in addition to being accomplished musicians, Upbeat Music's faculty members are all accredited teachers. Parents praise the school's waiting room, which includes comfortable chairs, Wi-Fi, and a selection of magazines.
North Shore Music Institute
North Shore Music Institute, sometimes called "NSMI," has provided Chicago Metro students with high-quality music instruction since 2002. The course catalog includes beginning, intermediate, and advanced music lessons for pianists, vocalists, cellists, violinists, guitarists, bassists, and drummers. Instructors at the school have undergone state and federal background checks and have been screened for musical skill as well as teaching ability and enthusiasm.
Flattis & Sharpe Music Company
Flattis & Sharpe Music Company is a musical instrument and supply shop with two Chicago locations, one in Rogers Park and the other in Norwood Park. Children, as well as adults, can sign up for instruction from one of Flattis & Sharpe's staff music teachers. The staff includes highly trained and experienced drummers, guitarists, pianists, and vocalists, as well as cellists, bassists, and even banjo players.
New Music School
New Music School is the Chicago Metro area's only curriculum-based private music school, offering lessons in guitar and other instruments. Musicians from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, as well as college professors and world-class performers, comprise the New Music School's staff. These faculty members work to provide an atmosphere that is at once rigorous and fun. Furthermore, students who cannot make it to the New Music School's main location, downtown, can opt for lessons at-home or at one of the institution's satellite locations.
Kevin M. Buck
Kevin M. Buck is a guitar player and songwriter living in Lockport, who can impart his vast knowledge of guitar playing to students of any age and experience level. The only requirement is that the students themselves are serious about learning how to play. Mr. Buck has experience and training in numerous styles, including rock, metal, blues, classical, jazz, country, and reggae. In addition to guitar performance, he can teach home recording, songwriting, and music theory.
Lockport, IL 60441
Jeremiah Benham
Jeremiah Benham, based in Chicago, is an accomplished performer, teacher, and composer. His emphasis on classical performance makes him suitable for a variety of special occasions, such as cocktail parties, weddings, and galas. Mr. Benham meets with students at two locations, one at the DePaul University Community Music School, and another in South Loop.
Muzicnet School of Music
Muzicnet School of Music is a team of professional music instructors, led by brothers Alan and Aaron Franklin. In addition to its Chicago location, Muzicnet School of Music has a satellite location in Park Forest. Since 1995, the Franklin brothers have partnered with local churches. Their unique instructional method combines Bible study with musical training.
Learn Guitar Chicago
At Learn Guitar Chicago, owner and founder Mitch Lavin works with guitar players and other musicians of any experience level, from newbies who have never played the instrument before to seasoned performers who want to expand their abilities and their grasp of musical styles. Mr. Lavin always focuses on developing his students' fundamental skills, namely chords, rhythms, and improvisation.
Bella Angel Music
Bella Angel Music is a Chicago music school where Ellen Bartolozzi helps Chicago students learn how to play a variety of instruments. She specializes in vocals and piano but has the experience and training to help aspiring drummers, flutists, clarinetists, saxophonists, trumpeters, and songwriters. Bella Angel Music offers a series of "Lessons for Two" options, from vocal lessons for siblings to special "mommy & me" and "daddy & me" guitar and piano lessons.
Chicago School of Music
At Chicago School of Music, which relocated in 2012 to venues in River North and the Near North Side, is a school for piano, voice, violin, and guitar performance. Since its beginnings in Old Town in 1998, the Chicago Schol of Music has given lessons to students of all ages and experience levels. Many of the institution's younger students have since become professional performers.
Michael Rory Powell
Guitarist and guitar instructor Michael Rory Powell teaches his students how to play electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and bass guitar. Lessons are available for students of various skill levels, from novices figuring out how to hold the instrument, to professionals who need some help recording their first CD.
Chicago, IL 60618
Silbernik Music Academy
At Silbernik Music Academy, located in Highland Park, aspiring guitarists and pianists can take group or solo music lessons. Students of all ages and skill levels are welcome to sign up for classes at Silbernik Music Academy. They can expect the teachings to be both fun and challenging, with lessons tailored to their individual skill levels and personal taste in music. Private lessons range in price from $30 to $60.
Nathan Niederkorn
Guitarist Nathan Niederkorn has extensive training and experience in guitar performance and guitar instruction. He meets with students at the North Shore Music Institute. Musicians of all ages and skill levels can meet with Mr. Niederkorn to learn about guitar, ukelele, and bass guitar lessons.
Chicago, IL 60647
Altered Stage
Altered Stage is a music school in Chicago with lessons that are suitable for seasoned guitarists as well as novices. Jason Steele, the team's principal guitar instructor, has been teaching students of all age and skill levels for more than 10 years. He holds a degree in Jazz Composition from the well-regarded Chicago College of Performing Arts and has performed on stage with numerous jazz luminaries, including Charlie Persip, Mike Smith, George Lewis, and Ron Miles.
Tobias Music
Tobias Music is a Downers Grove shop catering to Chicagoland guitarists of any skill level. Since founding the business in October 1978, co-owners Margaret and Ken Tobias have prided themselves on creating the perfect spot for guitar and folk music enthusiasts. In the decades since the shop opened, the staff has taught tens of thousands of lessons, to thousands of local students.
Cappelli Institute of Music
At the Cappelli Institute of Music, instructors can work with students who are interested in learning how to play virtually any instrument. Pupils of all ages are accepted. Central to the institution's teaching methods are the foundational skills that are critical to succeeding at virtually every level of performance. Instructors are particularly adept at helping students to avoid stage fright and other forms of anxiety.
Expert Answers To Common Questions:
- Introduction
- How do I start learning guitar?
- How hard is it to learn the guitar?
- How long does it take to learn guitar?
- Are there differences in learning to play different types of guitar?
- Is it easier to learn piano or guitar?
- What\'s the fastest way to learn to play the guitar?
- How much are guitar lessons?
- How much do private guitar lessons cost?
- What age should someone start taking guitar lessons?
- Is it too late to learn to play guitar?
- Can you learn to play guitar by yourself?
- Should I take guitar lessons?
- Are guitar lessons worth it?
- Are online guitar lessons effective?
- What should you not do while playing guitar?
- Does playing guitar make you more attractive?
- Is playing too much guitar bad for you?
- How do I start giving guitar lessons?
- Q: Introduction
- A: Guitar lessons teach individuals everything from the fundamentals and basic chords of guitar to advanced techniques and extremely intricate musical patterns. People of all ages can take guitar lessons in genres that include electric guitar, classical guitar, bass guitar, acoustic, and jazz guitar, and the lessons can be taken both online or through a professional instructor.Beginner guitar lessons generally consist of learning basic guitar note shapes and solo lines. Over time and with consistent practice, beginners can gradually move forward to more advanced lesson plans. In addition to private instruction, many community colleges and schools with music programs offer guitar lessons.
- Q: How do I start learning guitar?
- A: To start learning guitar, you can sign up for lessons with a professional instructor or follow online tutorials that teach different areas of guitar, including how to play specific songs. Guitar lessons may also be available at local community colleges.
- Q: How hard is it to learn the guitar?
- A: Guitar has always been considered one of the harder instruments to learn as it requires dexterity, hand/eye coordination, an ability to decipher abstract notes, and an understanding of guitar tabs and chords. However, many players are naturally talented, which makes learning guitar easier, so it all depends on one's specific skills and ability to absorb information.
- Q: How long does it take to learn guitar?
- A: The length of time it takes to learn guitar varies greatly from person to person. Certain individuals can learn everything from basic chords to complete songs in just a few days or weeks, while others may take years to fully develop their skills. The average time it takes beginner to intermediate guitar players to learn one song is approximately 150 hours of practice.
- Q: Are there differences in learning to play different types of guitar?
- A: The main difference between playing electric, bass, and acoustic guitar is that they are all separate instruments. Jazz guitar songs can be played on electric, bass, and acoustic guitars. Bass guitars and electric guitars plug into amplifiers, while acoustic guitars do not. Bass guitars and acoustic/electric guitars are different from one another based on the size of the strings and distance between each string, so learning a song on a bass guitar is slightly different than learning one on an electric or acoustic guitar.
- Q: Is it easier to learn piano or guitar?
- A: Learning guitar may be easier for some people than learning piano, and learning piano may be easier for some people than learning guitar. It all depends on the individual's natural talent and ability to take direction and absorb information. Both instruments can take several years to master.
- Q: What\'s the fastest way to learn to play the guitar?
- A: Mastering guitar can take several years; however, learning stepping stone chords and strumming through a professional instructor or via online tutorials can help speed up the process. Stepping stone chords consist of different sets of three common chords that, once mastered, allow students to improve their techniques and move forward with learning full songs.
- Q: How much are guitar lessons?
- A: Group and class guitar lessons are generally charged on a monthly basis at an average of $40 to $80 per month. The price can vary depending on the specific lesson plans, type of instruction, and the instructor's preferred prices. Additionally, many community colleges offer music courses where costs may be lower or based on quarterly fees.
- Q: How much do private guitar lessons cost?
- A: While specific prices can vary, the average cost of private guitar lessons starts at around $15 to $25 for a 30-minute lesson, and $20 to $45 for an hour-long lesson. For advanced guitar students, rates can be as high as $50 to $75 per hour depending on the specifics of each lesson.
- Q: What age should someone start taking guitar lessons?
- A: It's recommended for children to start taking guitar lessons around 7 to 8 years old as long as they are at the age where they can retain information. However, starting guitar lessons at a young age is not a requirement, and people can begin their musical educations well into adulthood.
- Q: Is it too late to learn to play guitar?
- A: It's never too late to learn to play the guitar. In fact, studies have shown that learning an instrument can actually increase the grey matter in one's brain, which can help improve memory, reaction time, and overall alertness in individuals of all ages.
- Q: Can you learn to play guitar by yourself?
- A: There are several ways a player can learn to play the guitar by themselves that include online tutorials, books, and consistent practice. Certain individuals have the ability to 'play by ear', which is basically playing music without the need for instruction or sheet music. These people can often learn to play guitar by simply listening to a song and finding the appropriate strings and chords on the instrument based off of memory.
- Q: Should I take guitar lessons?
- A: If playing the guitar is something that you wish to excel at or explore, then taking guitar lessons is a good idea. Learning how to play an instrument is a great way to express and expand your creativity, and both playing music and listening to music are good solutions for reducing stress.
- Q: Are guitar lessons worth it?
- A: Guitar lessons are worth it to anyone who wishes to learn the instrument either for a hobby or to work in the music industry. Professional guitar teachers have extensive experience and knowledge in music theory, chording, and techniques that players may not be aware of whether they're a natural talent or a beginner.
- Q: Are online guitar lessons effective?
- A: Online guitar lessons can be just as effective as in-person lessons, especially when the student is working interactively with the teacher on a video chat application. Online tutorials that offer demonstrations of chording and teach players how to play specific songs in a step-by-step fashion are also effective.
- Q: What should you not do while playing guitar?
- A: A few tips on what not to do when playing guitar include using poor posture and holding the guitar when the wrists are not at a straight angle. Avoid bracing or touching the top of the guitar with the right hand pinky, and try not to hook the strings with the fingers then pulling up as this can strain the strings.
- Q: Does playing guitar make you more attractive?
- A: Playing the guitar well can help build one's confidence, which in turn may make someone more attractive to others. Some surveys have shown that men and women find people who play the guitar approximately 90% more attractive. However, whether someone finds another attractive is a personal feeling, so there's no scientific proof that playing a guitar boosts one's attractiveness.
- Q: Is playing too much guitar bad for you?
- A: Playing too much guitar is only considered bad for someone if they injure themselves. For example, overplaying the guitar when you first begin can lead to sore, blistered fingers; however, blisters and calluses are common among guitar players. Holding a heavy guitar for extended periods may also lead to aching shoulders and back pain.
- Q: How do I start giving guitar lessons?
- A: To start giving guitar lessons, you must first possess the skills and knowledge needed to provide instruction. Once your teaching skills are developed, you can advertise your services through online want ads or by building your own website that highlights your teaching techniques, experience, and pricing.