Initial Free Guitar Lesson:

During your first guitar lesson, we will assess your technical level with a set of drills. Following the assessment, we will discuss what lesson plan will offer you the best option to maximize your learning.
 

Our initial series of classical guitar lessons is designed to develop a basic understanding of guitar musicianship through a wide scope of traditional and modern techniques. Topics include basic position, left-hand technique, free and rest strokes, stretching, warm-up exercises; establishing a practice routine, introduction to the Alexander Technique and its use in guitar playing, diatonic scales, left/right-hand coordination exercises, staccato and legato. Flamenco and Latin strumming techniques (rasgueados) are incorporated to enforce a solid rhythmic background, thus helping the student to establish a balanced, well-developed right-hand technique, while at the same time developing an appreciation for the rich repertory and performance practices of the instrument.

Our second series of classical guitar lessons will introduce more advanced techniques of guitar technique while developing an understanding of Renaissance, Baroque and Classical music in Western music history. Topics include the following: higher positions on the finger board, effortless shifting, sight-reading techniques, damping, memorization, tonal shading, nail care and preparation, tone quality, vibrato, articulation, phrasing, hinge bars, advanced arpeggios, and ornamentation.

Our most advanced series of classical guitar lessons will develop the student's musicianship to its highest level. Students will learn visualization and mental practice techniques, which will help decrease the time students need to practice, leading to a reduction in overuse injuries. Students will learn to establish a healthy physical and mental connection between the instrument and the musician in order to express their own personalities while performing. Topics covered include mental practicing, improving inner hearing, advanced coordination exercises, speed scales, natural and artificial harmonics, mixed meters, advanced rhythm exercises, polyrhythm: three against two, three against four, and more. 

Flamenco Guitar 101:

Introduction to Flamenco music. Flamenco guitar lessons at the Los Angeles Guitar Academy will cover concepts such as compas, falsetas, and remate. Students will study basic Soleares and Seguiriyas falsetas.

Flamenco Guitar 102:

Further study of forms such as Soleares, Alegrias, and Tientos.  Students will learn the basic technique of improvisation in Flamenco guitar music as well as popular traditional flamenco pieces.
 

Flamenco Guitar 201:

An in-depth study of advanced Flamenco forms such as Tangos, Bulerias and Fandangos. Building on the improvisation learned in Flamenco Guitar 102, students will begin learning the basics of composition for the Flamenco guitar.

Latin American Guitar 101:

Introduction to the Latin guitar repertoire with an in-depth study of forms and rasgueados such as Vidala, Rasgueado Doble, Chammarita, Chacarera, Polca, Bailecito, Zamba, Huella, Vals Venezolano, Milonga, Wayno, Takirari, Gato, Aquinaldo, Albazo, and Guarania.
 

We have designed these professional guitar lessons for those serious musicians whose career goals include becoming a music professional. Current music professionals will also benefit from this series. Topics covered include; Alexander Technique, stage fright, power of focus in performance, dealing with mistakes and memory slips, planning and preparation, advanced Alexander Technique.

The purpose of Suzuki training is to help every child to find the joy that comes through creating music. Through the Suzuki growing process, children thrive in an environment of total support; developing confidence and self-esteem, as well as their determination to try new and difficult things. Self-discipline and concentration, as well as the sensitivity and skill for making music are only some of the rewards of the Suzuki program. Through an initial rote learning approach, students are able to play music quickly and successfully. Music reading is postponed until the child's aural and instrumental skills are well established. Since each child progresses at his/her own pace, the Academy curriculum moves in small steps so that the child can master the material with a total sense of success.

Explore folk music from Spain, Latin America, Russia, China, Japan, the Balkans and Turkey. The objective is to recognize and present music as an expression of an international, multi-cultural community.

Designed for those who are seeking to reach a level of competence on the guitar that will enable them to arrange and play music in their favorite styles. The student will develop a solid understanding of improvisation and composition. The student will become familiar with modern notation software such as Finale and Sibelius through hands-on coaching.

In-depth study of more advanced topics such as modulation, sequences, seventh, ninth, thirteenth chords, and secondary dominants. Music theory from a mathematical perspective will also be covered, but no past mathematical knowledge or interest is necessary.