Although there are many great resources on the internet for up-and-coming guitarists, there is absolutely no substitute for 1-on-1 personal guitar instruction. This is simply because no matter how great the content I and others create, we have to cater it to a much wider audience. With 1-on-1 guitar lessons, I can show you exactly what you need to improve. I can see exactly what you’re struggling with, and as your private instructor show you how to improve on those aspects specifically.
I understand that there are a lot of questions you might have, so I’ve created a list of questions below that should help answer.
Send me an email at joel@joelsguitarlessons.com and we’ll get you learning how to play better today!
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You have all of this free content on your blog, and there is so much information available on the internet. Why not just learn through these videos?
The simple answer is because no online lesson can help you improve nearly as fast as one-on-one private lessons. Online, I (and everyone else) has to cater everything we write so that it can help as many people as possible. And while I can single out issues that I’m sure you and other guitarists will run into, I have to do it in a way that can help everyone else out. But there’s a problem – this is the lowest common denominator of teaching.
There are three ways that private lessons are an important and necessary part of your development as a guitarist.
1) I can cater my lessons to your learning style.
Different people learn in different ways. I can try on this website to explain a concept using clear examples, diagrams, videos, etc., but there comes a point where things might not click with every individual. In a private lesson, I can take the concept, figure out the way that will make you learn it best, and then structure our lessons so that you grasp it as best and fast as possible.
2) I can guide your learning so you learn ideas in an order and pacing that makes sense for you.
When you learn on the internet, there is no one telling you “Maybe you should wait to learn that concept”, or “That’s great that you want to learn X, but if I teach you Y first, it will make much more sense”, or even, “Remember when we learned A? Well, this topic here, B, can be understood if you go back to what you learned there.”
While there is plenty of information available on the internet, the only way to find what you want is by searching for it. This is a problem, because sometimes, you might not even know what you don’t know. Through lessons, I can fill holes as they come up, and guide you.
Not only that, I can expose you to new areas I might think you like, that you might not have any idea of! You might not know that you’d really an idea, but because I’ve been around the block a few times, I’ll know that idea and can teach it to you if I think you’d be interested.
3) I can keep you motivated and disciplined.
No matter who you are, you are going to lose motivation and discipline along the way. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what else you have going on in your life – it will happen. Yes, our lessons are for me to teach you, but there is so much more that can happen – I can structure how we work on things and what we talk about to keep you motivated and reaching your goals. You don’t have to be subject to that internal monologue – I can help keep you on the right path to mastering this instrument!
I want to take lessons from you, but I don’t know if I’m advanced enough?
That’s baloney. If you own a guitar, I’ll teach you lessons. While I do typically skew to more advanced players, there is no lower limit. I also find that beginners tend to be the most enthusiastic, which means they’re the most fun.
The only specification I have is I only teach rock and metal guitar. For other genres (jazz, classical, folk, country, etc.), there are other teachers I can refer you to.
So how exactly does this work?
If you’re interested, you can send me an email at joel@joelsguitarlessons.com, telling me you’re interested. That’s it. There are follow-up questions I will ask (“What’s your availability? How long have you been playing? What do you want to learn?”), but the big thing is for you to just reach out.
What’s your availability?
I teach on Saturdays ONLY.
While this does mean that there are limited spots in my schedule, please do not hesitate to reach out. You’d be surprised how often students might need to miss a lesson or two, and I might be able to slot you in or work around your schedule to get you learning.
How much does it cost?
My lessons are $40 for 30 minutes, and $70 for 1 hour. Unfortunately, these rates are non-negotiable.
What types of payment do you accept?
I accept cash, check, and Paypal.
I’ve found that Paypal is the easiest for both parties. I have an account which I will give you the info for once you’ve reached out for lessons.
If you’re not familiar with Paypal, you can visit their website at www.paypal.com. They are a fast, easy, and safe service that allows two parties to pay each other over the internet, either by credit card or bank account. I (and no one on my side) will never see your specific information, and you will never see mine, so there is no need to worry!
How does your scheduling work?
Once you reach out, I will let you know my openings in my schedule, and we can work to find a time that works for both of us.
Note that if I am full at that moment, I may need to put you on my waiting list. When I have slots open up, either due to vacation, other commitments, or students moving on, I’ll reach out and we can get you into my schedule!
How long do I have to commit for?
There is NO commitment – if you sign up for a lesson, I expect you to be at my studio at that time, however you will never be fully committing for more than that one lesson.
That being said, you should know that while I can teach you a great deal in 30 minutes, you’ll really see the benefits if you stay with it for months and years. Guitar is one of the annoying hobbies where it takes continued work over a long period of time to really master.
What subjects will we go over?
My specialty genres are rock and metal guitar. In those genres, I teach:
- Music theory
- Songwriting
- Improvising/soloing
- Techniques – alternate picking, sweeping, tapping, legato playing, etc.
- Ear training
- Music appreciation
And more!
What do I need to take lessons?
Only a guitar. Nothing else.
I’m interested in having my son or daughter take lessons from you. Is there an age limit?
If they can hold a guitar, then I can teach them how to play it! I don’t have any age restriction on my students (no student is too young or too old).
If you are concerned about safety, you may want to consider my lessons over Skype (not that you have any reason to fear, but I completely understand any concerns you may have). You are also welcome and encouraged to be there yourself if you would like to watch over the lesson.
Finally, it is also possible to video tape the lessons, so if you would like to see the lessons afterwards, they will be available. Please just let me know if you would like this option, and I’ll provide free of charge!
Interested? Send me an email at joel@joelsguitarlessons.com.