Mandolin Lessons in Alton. Amazing Teachers.

"Damien explains the concept very well and asks questions to find out how much I already know. He tailors the classes to my abilities (I used to play piano and guitar) and interests. I am inspired to practise the techniques so I can play the music I chose. Just my third lesson and Damien is already introducing “improvisation” and that I was ready as long as I practise my scales. Being taught by Damien is exhilarating. Very blessed."

"I immediately felt at ease with Jeff and it did not take him long to figure me out and point me in the right direction. Looking forward to many more lessons with him. I wish I lived here so it could be on a more regular basis. But happy with what I CAN get. Thanks Jeff!"

"I absolutely LOVE taking lessons with David! It is the best part of my week!
Being a somewhat shy individual and an adult student, I was really nervous to begin music lessons with a stranger.. David put me at ease from day one. Each thirty minute session is packed with just enough material to keep me occupied during practice through the week and eager for more by the time our next lesson comes around. His instrument knowledge is phenomenal, and it makes the experience so much more fun to have David accompany my mandolin playing with banjo or guitar. He is also great for giving advice on buying a new instrument. Best-Instructor-Ever! I can't recommend David enough"

"If you’re a non-musician and you want to become a musician, and you want to do that while learning the mandolin, work with Andrew. I came to him with a limited musical background and no previous mandolin experience; he was able to assess whatever musical knowledge and literacy I had and develop it. He was holistic in his approach: we worked on theory, we worked on fundamentals, we worked on right and left hand stuff, and I was never bored or bogged down the way many adult learners can be.

I would say that within six months of weekly lessons with him I was working on sight reading music in two or three genres at moderate tempos, I was able to learn songs from listening, and I was honing my technique to bluegrass playing and going to bluegrass jams in New York. He was always attuned to my level and to what I was doing with my playing. He put a great deal of thought into lesson planning and chose to work on pieces that appealed to my individual taste, prepared me for the musical community I was breaking into, and generally kept my momentum up during my first year of mandolin playing and got me to a place I was really happy with. He was on the line when I upgraded my mandolin, because when you’re dropping a couple grand on something you call your sensei. And he was and is a great sensei.

One of my biggest musical hurdles, if not my biggest, is performance anxiety. Andrew has a great disposition for making people feel relaxed in a lesson setting; he’s an easygoing, sensitive and cool guy who can show up for you wherever you happen to be that week. He also has a really great dog named Ryder who liked to hang out during lessons.

I would 10/10 1,000% recommend Andrew. If he is not already your mandolin teacher, hire him and congratulate yourself! You are on your way to mandolin greatness."