Testimonials
I've tried learning to play the guitar a few times in the past but never could stick with it. I also took private lessons at a local music school where at my first lesson, I was asked, "So what song do you want to learn?" I found LGC and gave Mitch a try. Mitch has a structured lesson plan which began making sense to me in a few lessons. A few lessons after that, chord progressions, rythym patterns and timing all comfortably came together and now I'm learning song after song. Now it's been just over 3 months at LGC and I can't wait for my one hour a week session. Dan
I started learning how to play rhythm guitar on my own and learned
quite a bit before coming to a plateau. After trying a couple of
guitar teachers in my area, I felt that just learning songs in my
lessons wasn't cutting it for me, especially because I wanted to
learn lead guitar after seeing a dvd of Stevie Ray Vaughan. I knew
that I needed a clear understanding of my scales, chords, technique
and own sense of style to become a professional guitar player. I have
been studying with Mitch for less than a year and it is unbelievable
to me how his teaching has laid everything out so nicely. With his
talent and guidance and my willingness to learn and be dedicated with
practicing, I have made huge leaps towards my goals of being a great
guitar player. I couldn't have gotten this far so quickly without his
direction. You are limited if you are just learning from a book, it
is a blessing to have someone there that really knows the craft to
remind you of how you can be better and bring you to the next level.
It is also wonderful to have a teacher that nurtures your own style
and encourages you to bring that out instead of just learning other
people's tunes and styles. You have to be great in your own right and
Mitch is the teacher that will bring you to that place. ~Diana Rein
Every once in a while, but not often enough, we as musicians find guidance
not only to play the chords that we need to hear, but we find the one person
that can be sure that the music we play enriches our soul.
When I found LearnGuitarChicago.com, I needed a teacher to help me
understand how to play the music from Bruce Springsteen, Goo Goo Dolls, Joe
Satriani, etc.; yet more importantly, why the notes and chords were so
essential and connected to each other.
When I met the founder, Mitch Lavin, I met an extraordinary talent, an
introspective teacher, and now a great friend.
I have learned more from LearnGuitarChicago.com in 1 year than I could've
learned from any other school in 3 years, and I will continue my education
with Mitch because once we as guitarists find the best, there is never any
reason to look further.
Thank you LearnGuitarChicago.com.
-Barney Balonick
When I first sat down with the idea of learning to play guitar I wanted to go beyond just learning some standard licks and tunes to impress some people who know even less than I do. Instead, I wanted to be able to sit down and play along with whatever was on the radio, the cd player, the ipod. I haven't been playing all that long and already I can do that. No doubt practice makes perfect---or at least pretty good-and that's my responsibility. But Mitch has given me the tools I need to make music from scratch. And that is a beautiful thing (and getting better all the time).
Jon Duncanson
After Buying a couple of guitars for the kids, I decided that I really needed to learn to play too. Thank goodness I found Mitch Lavin. I talked with a lot of other guitar instructors. Finally, I found an instructor that was excited about teaching a family. Mitch has been great. He is able to teach us all at the same time as a group yet manages to work with us at our own individual levels, which can be a daunting task. He really connects with the kids and I appreciate that he is always encouraging us to not only follow his instructions but to explore the guitar and find our own comfort zones. Mitch is always positive but won't hesitate to let you know when you need to practice more. He's not just a great instructor. He is an awesome guitar player as well. Mitch's love for music and for the instrument becomes obvious when you spend time with him and it's clear that he does this because he wants to share the wonderful gift that he possesses. We are lucky to have joined his 'crew.' - Dave, 43
I like Mitch because he's a nice guy. We learn real songs that I actually know and like instead of some weird folk stuff that other kids I know had to learn. - Hayley, 12
I like learning from Mitch because he doesn't rush me. He's nice. He's not just teaching me songs but scales and modes too so I can jam. - Luke, 8
I always wanted to learn how to play guitar but my "Guitar for Dummies" book just wasn't cutting it. I took up lessons with Mitch in May of 2003 and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. Mitch has a very modern teaching philosophy which incorporates many styles of music. I believe his methods to be very practical and easy to apply while practicing. As an instructor, Mitch always works with you at your own pace and is always willing to go the extra mile - answering any questions that may present themselves while practicing at home. Playing guitar is AWESOME! Thanks to Mitch, I am fulfilling my dream of playing the guitar and sounding great at it to. - Marc Finkle
"I came to LEARN GUITAR CHICAGO (Mitch Lavin) having never picked up a guitar. My initial intention was to learn some basics and then proceed on my own. A year and a half later, and I still anxiously await my weekly lessons. Mitch Lavin has sparked my desire to become a MUSICIAN. And most important, he has made it fun." [But he is a Cubs fan, and we know what
everyone thinks about Cubs fan, and the Cubs suck, and go White Sox.] - Anthony
"Naomi started lessons with Mitch when she was in second grade. In the two years since, from "Knocking on Heaven's Door" to "Angie", Naomi's confidence, skill and repertoire have grown quickly with Mitch's teaching. Naomi likes the guitar a lot, and thinks that Mitch is 'a nice guy and a great teacher'." - William Frankel-father of Naomi, 10 years old