Discover the Best Guitar Classes in NYC
The guitar is one of the most popular instruments in the world. It’s used heavily in just about every style of music, including country, rock, heavy metal, punk, classical, jazz, and even pop. It’s particularly heavily played in New York City, which has an extensive rock scene with many up-and-coming bands. Even if you’re not interested in joining a group, guitar classes in NYC can provide many benefits that make them worth considering.
Why You Should Learn Guitar in NYC
Have you ever been to a club in NYC to watch a band play? Wouldn’t it be fun to have the skills to perform like that? Well, learning guitar in New York City gives you that opportunity. You’ll practice scales, chords, soloing techniques, and other skills necessary when playing for fun or profit, depending on your ambition and expertise.
Performing on guitar is not only a fun side hustle or full-time job (if you get good enough) but a great way to relax. Sitting around your apartment with friends and playing some songs together can help relieve stress and manage your anxiety. It can also improve your overall emotional stability and provide other long-term health benefits.
In-Person Guitar Classes & Schools in NYC
If you’re interested in learning guitar in NYC, in-person courses provide many advantages. First, they’re designed for specific skill levels, meaning you can pick and choose lessons that suit your abilities. Secondly, they include hands-on training with a professor who can help you better understand your skills and play guitar more effectively.
Thankfully, there are many in-person guitar classes and schools in NYC that may suit your needs. These courses cover many different subjects, including basic guitar techniques, advanced strumming patterns, and songwriting. You’ll get strong, in-person support with a live teacher who can help you better understand these lessons and implement them properly.
Read through each listing here to find a program that suits your needs. These include beginner-level classes and more advanced courses that strengthen your existing skills. Choose carefully by reading through each listing and picking any that interest you. Don’t forget: check the pricing to ensure that you pick a class that’s within your budget.
Guitar 1: Guitar for Absolute Beginners
Guitar 1: Guitar for Absolute Beginners is a Brooklyn Guitar School course on 4th Avenue in Brooklyn. It’s designed for people who know nothing about guitar and will guide you towards basic understanding. You’ll learn important elementary chords, practice scale diagrams, learn the string names, and even master songs by some of your favorite artists.
As you learn, you’ll get to know other guitar players and can even form a band outside of class. All course materials are provided, including guitars and sheet music. Practice at home with video tutorials and graduate from the course to progress to the next. These guided classes help you master guitar and transition to more advanced lessons, like soloing.
Guitar 2: Strums for Absolute Beginners
Guitar 2: Strums for Absolute Beginners is a Brooklyn Guitar School class that builds on the techniques learned in their previous course. It covers different strumming patterns, including the basic folksy strum you hear in many pop hits. You’ll also learn how to alternate your strumming to change-up the rhythm and how to move quickly between each chord on your guitar.
Like the previous class, you’ll also practice basic chording and playing methods, including picking and rudimentary soloing. These simple lessons help you prepare for the demands of future classes. After graduating, you can move on to other courses offered by the Brooklyn Guitar School to ensure that you play more effectively.
Guitar 3: Guitar for Near Beginners
Guitar 3: Guitar for Near Beginners is the next Brooklyn Guitar School course available on their guided learning path. It covers more advanced rhythmic concepts, proper guitar tone, and playing with expression. You’ll learn bass-strums, guitar scratches, muting, and sixteenth notes. It typically takes about 8-12 sessions before you finish this class.
After graduating, you should feel comfortable playing rhythm guitar in multiple genres, including country, rock, jazz, and blues. You can then move on to playing more advanced rhythms in different styles, including syncopating the beat to play funk-based guitar. Later, you can move on to soloing based on chord progressions and other important skills.
Adult Beginner Guitar
Adult Beginner Guitar is a Williamsburg School of Music class on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg. It’s designed to teach adults with little experience how to play guitar. You’ll not only learn basic chords and strumming but proper practicing techniques. All materials beyond a guitar are provided to ensure that you can learn effectively.
As you practice, you can choose from several songs to master, including favorites by Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, Green Day, and even contemporary artists like Taylor Swift. All tastes are welcome and your professor will help you master each song with hands-on support. This process includes adjusting your strumming techniques and tweaking errors in your playing.
Flamenco/Spanish Guitar Private Lessons
Flamenco/Spanish Guitar Private Lessons is a Diego Campo’s Guitar Lessons course on Herkimer Street in Brooklyn. It covers advanced flamenco guitar methods, including fast strumming, chording techniques, and efficient soloing. You’ll not only learn about these methods but also practice writing your own music.
This class works best for someone with a little experience in guitar playing because flamenco music requires more efficient and fast strumming methods. That said, it welcomes people of all levels and will adapt based on your needs. For example, it teaches right- and left-hand techniques that improve your playing and produce more attractively played music.
Guitar Lessons: Acoustic/Electric
Guitar Lessons: Acoustic/Electric is a City Music Schools class on West 42nd Street in Manhattan. This music school pairs you with a private tutor who can set up regular weekly visits. Between classes, you’ll practice your lessons to improve your skills. As you get better, your instructor will tweak your classes to cover more advanced concepts.
Note that you must bring your own guitar to each lesson practice between classes to master any skill it covers. Most teachers in this school ask students for at least one hour of playing every day, though you can adjust your schedule however you see fit. Each class is just one-hour long and includes hands-on support, such as fingering practice and chording lessons.
Beatles Harmony
Beatles Harmony is a Jalopy Theater and School of Music program in Brooklyn for up to seven beginner players. It focuses on teaching you how to play guitar like the Beatles. Practice open and barre chords as well as various strumming patterns to become a better player. Then, pair each strum with an appropriate Beatles song to play it effectively.
You’ll also learn some of the most popular songs by the Beatles, including Yesterday, You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away, and Help. Your professor will help teach you unique chording methods and simplify your playing to ensure you can play as smoothly as George, John, and Paul when practicing these tunes. Now, you can play whatever Beatles song you want.
Jalopy Jr. Folk Beginner Summer Camp
Jalopy Jr. Folk Beginner Summer Camp is a Jalopy Theatre of School and Music summer camp that teaches folk music to children between the ages of 6-11. It’s a great learning opportunity for kids interested in playing music like bluegrass and blues and teaches guitar-playing techniques for each genre. Each class is taught in a light-hearted but informative way.
Campers can also learn how to play banjo, ukulele, and fiddle, depending on their interests. Throughout this five-day camp, students will play with their teacher, in small ensembles, and even form bands. On the last day, there’s a short recital that highlights all the students have learned. Parents can attend to see how well their child has mastered their instruments.
Virtual Guitar Classes & Schools
Are you interested in learning guitar but don’t want to fight through NYC traffic? Online courses may be a great option for you. These classes let you learn anywhere you have an internet connection. You can also choose from a broader range of classes, including options across the nation or even international courses. That said, they do have some downsides.
For instance, you get less personal time with your professor because you’ll talk online instead of working together in person. Furthermore, you’ll have to buy all your learning materials. As a result, you’ll need to buy a guitar, a computer for streaming your lessons, and sheet music for practicing songs. That said, the benefits may outweigh the downsides for many people.
If you’re interested in online guitar classes, there are many choices available for you. Each course covers different subjects, such as classical guitar, production, and even songwriting. This diverse array of choices makes it easier to find one that fits your needs. Make sure you check each listing carefully for pricing and attendance details before booking a spot.
Music Production for Songwriters, Level 1
Music Production for Songwriters, Level 1 is a Songwriting School of Los Angeles online class that covers guitar playing, songwriting, and production. You’ll not only practice basic guitar skills but learn how to write and record interesting songs for fun or profit.
Other subjects include recording from your laptop, utilizing MIDI production, producing your voice, and arranging your songs. This class should make it easier for up-and-coming musicians to produce clearer and more enjoyable recordings.
Intro to Classical & Flamenco Guitar
Intro to Classical & Flamenco Guitar is an online New York Guitar Academy course that is designed to teach you basic classical and flamenco guitar techniques. This includes practicing the five different right-hand techniques for playing beautiful classical guitar music.
You’ll also learn how to tune, string, and maintain your guitar, as well as practice original songs and classical pieces. Note: this class is suited for people with some guitar experience. It will build on basic skills to help you become a better player.
Guitar Made Easy (Ages 18+)
Guitar Made Easy (Ages 18+) is a Los Angeles City College online course that you can attend all the way back in NYC. It covers basic guitar maintenance, including stringing and tuning your guitar. You’ll also learn how to play single-note melodies and chords.
Each student brings their own guitar, such as acoustic, classical, or electric models. Note that you can bring a small amp for your electric guitar to make practicing easier. Also, you’ll need to purchase Guitar Method 1 by Schmidt and Kock to take this class.
Private Group Guitar Classes in NYC
Are you interested in setting up private guitar group classes in NYC for your company’s next teamwork-building event? CourseHorse is here to help. They provide multiple programs that can suit your needs, including online, private classes that are adjustable for your company’s needs. Need room for 250 people? Most CourseHorse lessons can accommodate you.
During each class, your employees will learn important guitar skills, such as fingering the fretboard, playing single-line melodies, mastering chord shapes, and tuning effectively. The class’ professor provides in-depth support in guided lessons, helping your team better understand how to translate the music in their head to their instrument.
Even if you can’t find a class on CourseHorse right now, you can contact them online to set up a private lesson. They can create new private lessons that suit your office’s scheduling needs. In this way, they provide a comprehensive service that works for you. These benefits ensure that your team gets the best experience possible with each class.
But why is CourseHorse a better option than other online booking platforms? Well, CourseHorse carefully vets each class to ensure it only provides high-quality lessons. Furthermore, you can adjust your group size after booking and pay no fees for setting up a class. These advantages make CourseHorse a smart choice for anyone interested in booking private guitar lessons.