Mike O'Malley Guitar Lessons
3 hires on Lessons.com
1 employee
13 years in business
About this pro
My teaching approach: I've been playing since 1979, when I was 9 years old. I graduated from what is now called "Mcnalley/Smith college of music in 1988. I have been playing in bands performing and recording ever since. I currently play in the band Crooked Dice. I work with each student to help them realize there goals in music. I have a broad range of knowledge and taylor each lesson to my students needs. My influences are: Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Eric Clapton, SRV, Joe Pass, Paco Delucia, Bach,Joe Bonamassa, Eric Johnson etc My guitar lessons take place in: The teacher's studio Guitar Lessons with me take place in the following areas: Richfield Guitar Techniques: Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar, Open tuning, Fingerstyle, Slide Guitar, Vocal Accompaniment, Performance, Improvisation, Jamming Skills, Reading Music, Music Theory, Scales and Exercises, Song Writing, Recording and Production, Guidance In Equipment Selection Your first guitar lesson with me might include the following: I give them a survey that goes over past experience, taste in music, as well as future goals. Then we come up with a plan to help them achieve there goals. A guitar lesson with me might entail the following: Usually we would start by reviewing what we did last week and then work on a new piece of music or technique to help the student advance there skills. Every lesson is different I do not use a "cookie cutter" approach. The qualities I look for in an ideal guitar student might include the following: I don't have one. Everybody is different. If they are willing to learn then they are an ideal student.
I love helping people realize there musical goals. Weather it's play a 3 chord song, to mastering an Eddie Van halen solo, it's all good.
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Credentials
Minneapolis, MN 55423
Phone verified
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Mike is just a great teacher. He loves the music and you can tell he wants to share that with his students. My daughter has make great progress so quickly with Mike teaching her. Couldn't be happier!
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I have been taking lessons with Mike for roughly a year now and he's helped me improve immensely. I've rarely felt like I've been in a rut since becoming his student and can feel myself improving little by little thanks to his guidance. Definitely a teacher I'd recommend.
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I've been taking lessons from Mike for 10+ years, ever since I first purchased my guitar. I didn't know the first thing about playing guitar but Mike has taught me everything I know and has been extremely helpful over the years. I have never needed another instructor and am very pleased with my playing abilities. Mike is well educated in music theory and his knowledge covers a wide range of musical history and genres. I'm always impressed with what I learn from him and Mike always keeps it interesting. It's one thing to be able to teach someone how to read tab or to memorize and play a bunch of notes on a guitar, but Mike's students really benefit from learning the theory (the "why" and "how") of what they are playing. This opens up a whole new level of playing ability and allows students to apply what they've learned in other areas of their guitar-playing (such as improvisation or even writing your own material). Without the foundation of music theory, a guitar musician will be very limited in their progress. Even if you already know how to play guitar.. regardless of your reason for seeking a guitar instructor you needn't search any further than Mike O'Malley.
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Mike was exceptionally patient, and he tailored his lessons to my area of interest. It was not like attending a formal class, where the instructor has a set format and the student is expected to conform. He asked me what my interests were, actually, he had me write a short list, and then he went from there. He gave me a new song every week, along with exercises which were pertinent to that song. Every song was from the style of music I wanted to play. It was a great experience, and I feel he made the most of my time. I wish college had been like that... He also helped me with instrument issues and had a great sense of humor. Two horns way up 🤘
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FAQs
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
During the first lesson, I give mt students a survey. The questions are about musical taste and goals etc. This puts us on the same page, and we can discuss a good plan for helping them realize there potential as a player thru learning the music that they love.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I graduated from Music tech in mpls mn in 1988. The school is now called Mcnalley/Smith College of music. I learned a lot about performing, recording, playing in a band, music theory, techniques etc.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
yes I do. It's $25 for 30 minutes, $35 for 45 minutes and $45 for an hour.
How did you get started teaching?
In 2006, I was working at Guitar Center, and one of the employee's asked me for a lesson. I said sure, about 10 minutes into that lesson, I realized that "this is what I was meant to do". I love teaching guitar, it's so cool to see students improve and when they are having fun, so am I.
What types of students have you worked with?
All ages, from 7 to 77 years old. I'm 47, and I have had a lot of success teaching baby boomers. I can show them the sountrack of there youth. I don't have a preference of age, everyone is welcome to learn here.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Make sure they are qualified. Do they play in a band, how about referalls? Do they know the styles of music that you want to learn.