Guitar Lessons And More With Matt O'Brien

Guitar Lessons And More With Matt O'Brien

5.0Exceptional(43 reviews)
Top Pro
Offers online services
Top Pro
Offers online services

About

Due to the rising costs of leads on this platform, I will be raising my guitar lesson prices. Students who find me on this platform will be charged $50 a 1/2 hour and $95 per full hour.

I have 20+ years with over 20,000 hours of musical instrument teaching experience and a total of 30 years of guitar playing experience with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from the Chicago Music College of Roosevelt University.

I teach acoustic guitar (6 & 12 string), electric guitar, classical guitar, jazz guitar, ukulele, bass (5 string), and tenor banjo (Irish tuning).

I focus my lessons strictly on the needs and skills required to ensure my students can perform ANY genre of music in front of ANY audience.

I have taught various forms and techniques in basically ALL genres of music both past and present.

I embrace ALL forms of music and will therefore encourage my students to appropriately pick out songs of their choice to make the lesson rewarding and engaging!

I will also provide my students with exercises and drills that will strengthen their core as a musician, empowering students to learn newer songs quicker and easier.

I firmly believe I'm the right teacher for any student based on one reason: the student will see instant results not only on the first lesson, but also in every lesson moving forward.

I realized how music affected me positively on several levels. Throughout my learning process, I wholeheartedly felt in my soul that I wanted to share my knowledge and passion with others through teaching the guitar.

I’ve always wanted to be a musician since I was young. Whether it was singing to songs on the radio or dancing to records in my bedroom, music has always had a special place in my life. To turn my passion around and teach others how to awaken their own hidden talents with the guitar, came with the first student I had taught over 20 years ago, and that passion has only flourished!

It’s always a reward seeing my students progress over the years...some having started as beginners and then years later playing live shows and recitals with professional and expert proficiency.

I also teach students of all ages who have special needs.


Highlights

Current Top Pro
Hired 7 times
1 employee
27 years in business
Serves West Chicago , IL
Offers online services

Payment methods

Cash, Venmo, Paypal, Zelle

Social media


Specialties

Musical styles

Rock, Country, Blues, Jazz, Folk, Classical, Recommendations available

Guitar style

Acoustic guitar, Electric guitar, Ukulele, Banjo, Recommendations available

Has instrument

Student who have a guitar, Student who don't have a guitar, but are planning to purchase one

Years experience

No formal training, No formal training; some self-taught experience, 0 – 2 years experience, 2 – 4 years experience, 4+ years of experience

Able to read music

Students who can read music staff, Students who can read guitar tabs, Students who cannot read music

Lesson length

30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes

Student's age

Under 5 years old, 5 – 10 years old, 11 – 13 years old, 14 – 18 years old, 19 – 25 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old

Photos and videos


  • Reviews

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    EO

    Emily O.

    Matt is a wonderful instructor. He is patient and easy to get along with. His lessons are catered specifically to each individual student and he always sends a lesson follow up. I find this helpful for my individual practice. Matt is a well-versed and talented musician. I highly recommend him for lessons.
    ... Show more
    February 17, 2023

    VS

    Victoria S.

    Matt is a phenomenal guitar teacher! He has the formal education and the passion necessary to be a truly effective instructor. After every lesson, he e-mails me a summary of what I need to work on. He makes learning guitar fun but also holds me accountable. And he teaches all ages. Lessons with Matt are the highlight of my week!
    ... Show more
    January 18, 2023

    MP

    Mark P.

    Ive known Matt since 92. We met as co-workers at Dominicks. His 1st conversation to me was, Hey, do you play guitar? I said, Yes! And ever since then, every time we hung out, there was a guitar involved! Whether it was electric, acoustic, or even bass. Unfortunately, I didnt stick with playing, but it was always fun to watch him play and expand his horizons. Ive watched him excel from playing Nirvana and Metallica in our teen years, to playing classical on a 12 string, metal on a 7 string, a bango, a ukelele and even writing his own material for his concept albums! Its been amazing to see how talented hes become over all these years. He definitely has the talent, the motivation and the discipline to play, learn and teach. I can honestly say, watching him has motivated me to pick up the guitar again. I made my purchase a few months ago. And certainly didnt give it too much thought on who would teach me. I knew right away that Matt would be my best choice!
    ... Show more
    December 14, 2022

    MR

    Marsha R.

    He takes his time and explains the why and wherefore of how your fingers should be placed and does not rush you through but teaches you at Your pace and not his. I think he’s a Great Teacher and since I also was a teacher of children I think I’m a fairly good judge of the way of working with people!!!
    ... Show more
    June 08, 2022
    Hired on Lessons

    JW

    Joseph W.

    I started working with Matt because my practice needed structure and guidance and so far Matt has been extremely helpful in providing me with those things. Having been self-taught up until now Matt has been very helpful in discovering whats been missing from my practice while also exploring new music and topics that have quickly expanded my knowledge and skills. I look forward to our lessons each week because I know Im growing as a guitarist and thats what matters most to me!
    ... Show more
    June 16, 2021

    KF

    Kevin F.

    Matt responded right away and we set up the first lesson a few days later. Even though the lessons are “virtual” over Skype, Matt goes the extra mile by using three camera angles to help see his fretboard better and also tailors his approach to your specific skill level and taste in music.
    ... Show more
    June 16, 2021

    Frequently asked questions

    My comprehensive instruction is always tailored to my student's short term, and long term goals.

    My teaching style consists of a fun, relaxed, and engaging student paced learning environment.

    My promise to you as my student is that together we will discover what it takes for you to become a proficient musician with the ability to perform in front of any audience.

    My classes with you will include the following content:

             Warm up exercises

             Fundamentals

             Mindfulness techniques

             Note reading

             Tab reading

             Sight reading

             Left hand/ right hand techniques

             Burst practicing (burnout prevention)

             Micro movements/economy of motion

             Proper posture both sitting and standing

             Stage performance techniques

             Embellishments

             Improvisation

             Unorthodox techniques

             Scales and Keys

             Theory

             Fretboard mastery

             Chords (all types)

             Songwriting

             Transcription

             Memorization

             Self sufficiency

    Roosevelt University (Chicago Music College)

    Extensive music education complete with all the courses that made me the musician and guitar instructor I am today.
    Concentration in classical and jazz guitar.
    Guitar instructor at a family-owned Chicago suburban music store since 2006. I am working 6 days a week, teaching 40 to 60 students weekly, and I'm also currently teaching 2 student bands.
      • SUBSCRIPTION PLANS start at $35 per half hour and $68 per full hour.
      • Students have the choice of the Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum plan. Subscription plans are to be paid 7 days prior to the first scheduled lesson of the selected plan. There is also an Iron Plan available where you can pay one lesson at a time.
      • Advance payment reserves the day and time of your lessons. Subscription fees are non-refundable.
      • Accepted forms of payment for subscription plans are Cash, Zelle, Venmo, and Paypal
      • Subscription plans do not include any retail teaching materials such as books or instruments, nor does it include supplies such as metronomes, tuners, strings, picks, music stands, etc.
      • CANCELLATIONS AND MAKE-UPS:
      • Students are responsible for attending their lessons at the scheduled time and day each week. To ensure appropriate student progression with the given material, it is expected that each student consistently attend their weekly scheduled lesson.
      • For any lessons missed by a teacher, a rescheduled make-up lesson with the teacher will be scheduled promptly. 
      • If there is a conflict to schedule a make-up for a teacher’s missed lesson, only then will the teacher issue a credit. 
      • For any lessons missed by a student, a make-up lesson will be arranged only with a minimum of 7 days advanced notice to the teacher for that missed lesson. In the event of illness, a make-up lesson will be offered only if availability allows. In the event of emergencies, the missed lesson will be issued a credit. 
      • Make-up lessons are NOT guaranteed and are given pending availability and scheduling. Subscription plans reserve the time and day of your lesson, not the lesson itself. Credits are not issued when a student has to miss a lesson. PLEASE NOTE: If you are a NO CALL/NO SHOW for a lesson, the teacher will not issue a credit or a makeup for that missed lesson. No exceptions.
      • No refunds, make-ups, or credit will be issued for missed or discontinued lessons after they are scheduled.

    I realized how music affected me positively on several levels. Throughout my learning process, I wholeheartedly felt in my soul that I wanted to share my knowledge and passion with others through teaching the guitar.

    I've work with students of all ages and even teach students who have special needs. No challenge is too tough to overcome, and I enable my students with that mindset during the course of lessons.

    My best advice would be to make sure that after every lesson, you have progressed and that you are cultivating the skills and tools needed to keep challenging yourself in your daily practice. 


    Services offered

    Guitar
    Meditation
    Bass Guitar
    Music Theory