Arvada Guitar

Arvada Guitar

5.0(4 reviews)
Top Pro
Top Pro

About

I have been a musician my whole life and therefore I understand many different aspects of musicianship beyond simply playing or teaching guitar. But I am also a patient, caring teacher who communicates ideas and techniques to my students in a way they understand. I am not rigid in my approach to teaching and I treat each student like the unique individuals they are. My students often stay with me for 6,8 10 years and former students return to me because I provide a resource to them that they cannot find anywhere else.

I love helping people learn new things. I love seeing them grow. I have spent a lot of time struggling and learning things on my own and I absolutely love helping people who are struggling to overcome their limitations and boundaries.


Highlights

Current Top Pro
1 employee
27 years in business
Serves Arvada , CO

Social media


Reviews

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J2

Justin 2.

I’ve taken guitar lessons with Gene for over 5 years. My guitar experience prior to meeting Gene was very limited. So limited that I didn’t even own a guitar pic nor how to properly hold/use one. I never felt that I needed guitar lessons as I had taught myself many other hobbies in the past. “Practice makes perfect” was a motivational phrase I often told myself. It wasn’t till a failed audition at my local church that I realized my practicing wasn’t producing the results I had wanted/expected. I started working with Gene and immediately identified that a majority of my current abilities were based upon improper techniques.
I didn’t fully appreciate or understand proper technique as its affects were not always apparent in my playing. As my lessons progressed and technique improved, I realized that my motivational slogan wasn’t complete. I now say; “proper practice makes perfect”. Working with Gene got me back on track with learning to play guitar. I have confidence when practicing knowing that the time I’m investing is not being wasted on bad habits.
A lot has changed since starting lessons with Gene. I re-auditioned at church and made the worship team! I regularly played lead guitar at my church and was content with my playing ability. I decided to stop lessons as I now had a solid foundation and figured that I could pick up anything I didn’t know from online videos. This was one of biggest mistakes I’ve made.
Quickly after being on my own, I began to realize the lacking quality and musicianship in the countless “tutorial” videos found on YouTube. It’s easy finding online song lesson, however, it’s very rare to find someone teaching it correctly or true to the album. I remembered working with Gene and not only learning the EXACT riffs and leads to a song, but also the artist’s style, tone and effects used. Over the years I became accustom to learning and sounding just like the artist I was trying to replicate. This quality of instruction I have only been able to find while working with Gene.
I noticed that my interested in playing guitar faded after I ended lessons. I just didn’t have the excitement to learn new songs or challenge myself to play better on the ones I did know. After a long sabbatical I decided to start back up lessons with Gene. Fast forward a few years; I now look forward to practicing nightly and regularly play with multiple churches within the Denver Metro area.
I would not be where I am musically today without Gene’s guidance and inspiration. He’s a great mentor and continues to challenge me to be a better musician. Looking back, if I could change anything about my experience with Gene, it would be starting lessons with him sooner and never taken a break.
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March 08, 2017

J2

Jansen 2.

I have always wanted to learn guitar but never had the opportunity, finally when I was 16 I bought my first guitar. I realized how hard guitar was, and almost felt embarrassed to learn. The guitar collected dust for almost 6 years, until September 2014, when I found Gene on Craiglist. I was very nervous as I had never played a day in my life and I was scared I would be terrible.. well I was! but Gene immediately made me feel comfortable with learning a new skill as an adult. He has been so patient through this long learning process and always encourages me to keep going and is good at pointing out my progress when I think I have not made any. Gene is just awesome, he is super caring and understanding. He has become more than just a guitar teacher, he is a friend. Whenever I am having a bad day I love that I can go to guitar, learn some awesome stuff and get out some much needed venting. Hes like my guitar therapist! I honestly believe I wasnt meant to learn till I could learn from him! :D hes great and I would recommend him to anyone!!!
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March 08, 2017

J2

Jeff 2.

Highly Recommended
My interest in playing guitar started in my early teens. I set it aside in my 20s and picked it back up in my mid 30s. I was self taught and could play but never really caught on to modes, scales and theory. So, at the age of 55 I decided it was finally time to take lessons! I got online and started researching teachers. After looking thru and reading many guitar teachers resumes I came across Gene on craigslist. He has a fantastic background in music and guitars and is an outstanding teacher. He is easy to talk to and got my issues right away. Ive learned more in 5 months from Gene than I had in my 20 plus previous years of playing. Gene can teach anyone at any level!
I usually get to my lesson a little early and have been able to hear the student before me. This student is a beginner and the progress in the past few months is amazing. I would highly recommend Gene to anyone at any level who wants to learn or improve their playing ability.
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March 08, 2017

M2

Michelle 2.

A really great experience.
I had been trying to teach myself guitar intermittently for the past few years through a variety of ways - instructional dvds, youtube videos, tablature sites, etc. While these resources are helpful, they haven’t taught me proper form or technique. I was really concerned that I’d be learning bad habits that would be hard to correct and slow my learning down. I’m fortunate to have a wonderful wife who, for my 45th birthday, bought me a month of free guitar lessons with Gene Crout. We started out with a few basic chords, a scale or two, and a few songs in the very first lesson. Taking lessons with Gene has been a really great experience. He’s friendly, patient, and extremely knowledgable about music. He’ll instruct me on whatever I’m interested in that week - it could be specific chords or techniques, guitar types, beginning music theory, how to change strings, etc. Nothing compares with having an instructor to give you real-time feedback on the fundamentals, to show you first hand what youre doing right or wrong, and when youre feeling stuck – to suggest the next step in the journey to become a better guitar player. I always look forward to lessons and I always leave feeling that I’ve made progress. I highly recommend Gene!
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March 08, 2017

Frequently asked questions

My students range from age 7 into their 70's and are all at different levels and abilities.  Some students want to learn songs, some want to new techniques or to refine old ones, some want music theory, some want a combination of everything.

The first step is to determine exactly what a student's goals are.  Then we formulate a plan to address those particular needs.

As we progress together in our lessons, we constantly review and revise those goals and plans.  In this way, students are constantly challenged and growing.

Beyond simply being a musician for over 35 years, I have a degree in Music Theory and Composition from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.  While pursuing my degree, I studied Classical Guitar under Rene Gonzales and Juan Mercadal, two highly regarded Classical Guitar Professors and Performers.  I was employed on my church's Worship Team for over 13 years and performed weekly for 500-1000 people.  Additionally I have performed on, recorded, mixed or mastered more than 50 Commercial CD releases.

Standard pricing is currently $45 dollars per hour and students are asked to pay for a block of 4 lessons at a time ($180).  

There is some limited availability for discounted pricing for lower income students.

It became obvious to me, over the course of time, that my most true talent was as a teacher.

All kinds.  Really, just about every kind of student one can imagine.  Children, teens, young adults, older adults, seniors.  Students, professionals, moms, dads, you name it.  All styles of music, all levels of experience.  I work with anyone who wants to learn!

I have had a couple students who just progressed so slowly that we each thought they might "never get it".  But with continued effort, lots of patience, and multiple approaches to learning, we have made great progress and now those students are playing the songs they want, and in some cases, even performing on stage with bands.  Then there is this little 7 year old girl who just blows me away ever time she comes in.  Super self motivated, super duper determined.  I think she just might be a rock star someday!

Do your homework.  

Read real testimonials from real students.

For music students, I wish that you knew there are many different types of teachers in the world.  Find the teacher that suits you, your personality and your playing style.  Don't just settle for the first teacher you find or the one that seems most convenient.


Services offered

Guitar
Bass Guitar
Music Theory
Audio Production