FAQs
Rockn' Me by the Steve Miller Band
What Ages Do You Teach? I teach ages 6 and up and from total beginners to advanced players.
How Much Are Lessons? Depending on what Lesson Package you choose, lessons are billed starting at $150 per month at the beginning of each month. If your lesson day falls on a five week month, the same flat fee still applies, I don't charge extra for the extra week. That comes to four free lessons per year.
Will You Come To My Home? No, I only teach out of my home studio in Gurnee. I have taught at students homes before and have found that it is very difficult to give a high quality guitar lesson. At my studio I have everything I need to teach plus there are no interruptions and the student can really concentrate on the lesson.
Can I Sit In On The Lesson? Parents are more than welcome to sit in on the lesson.
What Do I Need To Bring? Just your guitar and whatever books, materials, and "homework" you are practicing. I provide all the lesson materials and have all the necessary equipment. If you happen to forget your music, don't worry, I keep copies of everything I teach nearby. So the lesson won't be wasted!
How Much Time Should I Spend Each Week Practicing? Studies have shown that practicing 30 minutes everyday is the minimum amount to become competent at playing an instrument. However, this can be split up into two or three sessions throughout the day, it doesn't have to be all at the same time!
My Son or Daughter Isn’t Practicing. Should I Make Them Practice? No, please let me know if they are not showing any interest in practicing. Sometimes it is just a matter of finding something they would be more interested in playing. I typically teach what the student wants to learn. They can always switch songs if one doesn't excite them, no need to be shy about asking for something different. I find that forced practice regimens don’t work and can alienate your child from the instrument.
Do You Use A Specific Teaching Method? No. Although, I use certain books and examples regularly, what works for one student doesn’t always work for another. Each student will have a personalized lesson plan and goal based on the students age, likes and dislikes, goals, and skill level.
What Do You Teach? Younger students will start off with simple melodies like Ode To Joy, Star Wars, Happy Birthday, etc and gradually moved into more advanced techniques as they improve. Older students are taught songs based on their skill level and the type of music they like.
Can’t I Just Learn From Watching Videos on Youtube? You can, I think Youtube videos are a very valuable tool and I often use them to supplement my lessons, but what a video can’t give you is feedback. I can watch your hands, picking motion and technique and make corrections to your playing.
Do You Teach Music Theory? Yes, but I gradually work it in as the student progresses. From my experience, unless the student specifically asks, learning music theory leads to boredom and disinterest in the instrument.
What Types Of Music Will You Teach? I will teach the student any style of music they are interested in. I have taught Rock, Blues, Country, Metal, Progressive Rock, Jazz, Reggae, Funk, Rap, Finger Style, Folk, Christian, Jewish, Spiritual, and even Electronica / Rave music. There is no style of music I won’t teach.
What Days Do You Teach? Monday-Friday noon to 9pm, Saturday 10am-5pm call
Email: gurneeguitaracademy@gmail.com
Call or Text: (608) 712-2368 for available time slots.
Where Are You Located? I am located near the O'Plaine High School off of Grand Ave and O'Plaine. Please call 608.712.2368 or email me at gurneeguitaracademy@gmail.com for more details.
Cancellations & Makeup Classes.
There are no one-on-one private make ups at the Gurnee Guitar Academy.
But that doesn't mean you don't still get to learn!
Make ups are held between two different apps on your phone.
The Great Hall
Level Up Your Guitar - Great Hall
You will be added to the Level Up Your Guitar - Great Hall on the Telegram app.
This is a private community for all guitarists that want to improve and connect with other like minded musicians of all ages.
You can ask me questions through this channel and even post audio or video clips of your playing and I'll guide you if you need more help. Or if you want to have some healthy competition with other guitarists you can challenge each other!
As the community grows more rooms will be added for each instrument and style of music.
Level Up Your Guitar TV
You will be added to the Level Up Your Guitar TV channel on Periscope.
This will be the private dedicated TV channel for extra weekly content. I'll cover a topic from questions people have had as well as new things I've learned and think you should know. You can even chat with me as I'm streaming!
Email: gurneeguitaracademy@gmail.com
Call or Text: (608) 712-2368
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