Guitar with Kyle G.

I have been teaching and performing for over 18 years. I truly believe everyone has the potential to learn guitar. It is my personal challenge to be the guide that shows you the way to do so. It is simple, you are passionate about guitar, all you need is the guidance of an experienced teacher that cares. My instruction is specific, sequential, demanding, and engaging. Specific: Being specific helps us breakdown skills, that seem impossible, into manageable exercises. I call it chunking. Once we master the chunks we put it together to easily play something that in the beginning seems so challenging. Sequential: That old saying, "Walk before you run", also applies to guitar! With your guitar playing goals in mind, I am always developing a sequential path, building skills that ultimately lead you to your musical goals. I have taught students from their first lesson through to preparing for their shows in some of NYC's top music venues. Demanding: The sweet spot is so important in learning guitar just like any other skill. Play with less than 50% accuracy and you are developing bad habits. Play with over 80% accuracy and you are not pushing your skills. I strive to keep my students learning at the edge of their abilities, thats where all the cool stuff happens!!! Engaging: It all comes down to what excites you about guitar, what makes you want to wake up at 6am and practice! There are so many things to learn with guitar; it is very important that whatever you chose to learn fully engages you. Nothing is worse than learning something that you do not have a curiosity about! Abut me: It is my ambition as a guitar educator to radiate enthusiasm and inspire my students to obtain their musical goals. In my years as a professional musician I have gained insight on how to bring the best out of my students. In addition to performing, my teaching career has given me many wonderful experiences. I have spent many years in one of the largest guitar schools in NYC, where in addition to being a mentor to guitar teachers, I have prepared for and taught private lessons, classes, and rock bands to well over fifty students per week. Bio: As a freelance musician bouncing between Europe and NYC, I am extremely grateful to experience the joy of playing with many wonderful talents from around the city, country, and world. Born in a small town in the Midwest, I grew up listening to a diverse range of music. Through my parents I was exposed primarily to Celtic, Country, Folk, and Rock music. Listening to artist from these genres of music aided in developing a musical sensibility that is continually reflected in my playing. In my teens, I was immersed in a scene that was defined by heavy guitar riffs and shredding guitar solos. Rock and metal music ruled over the local scene and would also overtake my musical interest for several years. Later, in my early twenties, I was exposed to jazz music. The new textures, sounds, and rhythms that Jazz offered, changed my playing forever. Later, I spent my mid twenties traveling the globe performing as a guitarist with recording artist from both the UK and USA. Traveling and performing helped to give me a better understanding of music and art. Now in my early thirties I enjoy teaching, recording, and making music with friends! I should also mention I am grateful to have had opportunities to study music with many incredible mentors. These mentors have inspired and given me direction that has not only influenced his playing but also my views of art and life. In Michigan I studied with the talented classical guitarist Carlos De La Barrera of Argentina, as well as Jason Werkema, a wonderful talent and mentor to many. While performing nationally and internationally I was given the chance to study with some great innovators. Through their lessons, and music, they remain highly influential in my playing. I am grateful to have studied with Adam Rogers, Gilad Heksleman, Jack Wilkins, Julian Lage, Zvonimir Tot, and Aki Ishiguro.