Learn Guitar your way with a TakeLessons expert

It's great to learn guitar by taking lessons, but for the best results, you should also see musicians play live. Fortunately, there are many fantastic venues for you to see live music in Jersey City! It's a fun way to spend some time, and a fantastic way to enhance your guitar lessons in Jersey City!

1. Groove on Grove This square, right on Grove Street and Christopher Columbus Dr., is a frequent host to a wide variety of FREE musical events. You can see all kinds of music - jazz, rock, hip hop, and even classical. There are also plenty of food trucks and other vendors which make Groove on Grove a fantastic way to spend the afternoon with friends or family. (http://www.jcdowntown.org/events/groove-on-grove)

2. The Dopeness Recently purchased and revamped by new owners, this bar/restaurant/venue combo is a great place to hang out, drink, eat and see a show. It's not a huge venue, so you have the benefit of seeing musicians play up close, and even the possibility of hanging out with them after the show. Not only is this a fun, laid back way to spend an evening, it's also a great way to make the most of your guitar lessons in Jersey City. (http://www.thedopenessjerseycity.com/)

3. Hoboken Arts and Music Festival Just a short trip away in Hoboken, there is a great music and arts festival that runs all summer. On Thursday nights in the summer, you can find free outdoor concerts at the Amphitheater in Sinatra Park. There'll be several bands playing all summer.

4. Village Vanguard Looking to make a long night of your musical quest? Head into Manhattan, and check out the famous Village Vanguard. Located in a basement, this cozy venue is as classy as it is intimate, and hosts some of the best-known jazz musicians of our time. The best acts sell out early, so RSVP on their website ahead of time! (http://www.villagevanguard.com/)

5. O'Leary's Publik House O'Leary's is well known for its great burgers, fries, onion rings and fun music. Most of the bands cover alternative rock, though there are also other musical events, like Irish bagpipe bands!

6. Northern Soul Also located in nearby Hoboken, Northern Soul is a great bar to see live music. The vibe is laid back, and the music is mostly fun, local rock bands or DJs. They even host an open mic night if you're feeling brave enough to share your own guitar skills! In addition to the bands, they also have dart boards, pool tables and pinball machines. (http://www.northernsoulbar.com/)

7. Metropolis Music Located right in Jersey City, this great store sells all the guitar gear you could need, including the guitar. They've also got amps, sheet music and some excellent knowledge. Supplement your guitar lessons in Jersey City with a visit here anytime you need anything, even if you need repairs to your equipment.

Remember, it takes more than practicing to learn the guitar! Enjoy the many music venues and resources in and near Jersey City!