518 Guitar
Best of 2023
14 hires on Lessons.com
1 employee
9 years in business
About this pro
I absolutely love what I do! I'm a contest-winning blues guitarist, gigging rock guitarist but first and foremost - a guitar teacher. I have taught over 10,000 actual individual lessons and I still get excited to work every day. It's all about finding what's meaningful for you and engineering our lessons toward your goals. Please see my over 60-google five-star reviews (518 Guitar). I truly look forward to meeting you and assisting you in your guitar journey. Consider me your guitar geek! I am here to assist - please check out my website www.518guitar.com and reach out. I'm always happy to help.
There is so much I love about the work I do! First, just getting to see that look on a student's face when they strum their first chord - complete their first song - play at their first gig - and everything in-between! Many of my students have gone on to teach guitar, as well. Whether it's strumming at a campfire, at a party, or just in the privacy of their own home - I appreciate how music learning is so different for each person. What I like most about teaching one-on-one lessons is that - while some methods are proven - we don't use a cookie cutter approach.
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Credentials
Albany, NY 12205
Email verified
Phone verified
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I think what I appreciate the most about lessons with Andrew is the value I receive. I’ve had such fun with the real world application he brings the lessons, he has affordably priced and he gives so much more in value than I could possibly imagine. I have been most thankful for the way he has lifted up my playing from just knowing a few chords and being frustrated at YouTube to actually strumming full songs now and playing at home and with friends and family. Thank you so much! And congratulations on the Better Business Bureau rating!
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Andrew is very diligent and open to the student. He is a good instructor and knows his stuff.
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I couldn't recommend Andrew any higher. He was extremely accommodating and prompt with setting up appointments. His teaching style was patient and professional so that I could learn at my level. He went above and beyond to make sure I had the appropriate tools to practice outside of our sessions and follows up on any challenges and/or help I may need. His level of commitment to me as a student is rare in my experience and I would highly recommend him to anyone.
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Andrew is very flexible; he fit lessons into my schedule. He is also super encouraging. My 12-yr old daughter is on her second year of guitar lessons, and when her original instructor became unavailable, we found Andrew. We are so glad we did; she feels great about her progress and practices on her own (before this, she stressed about lessons and hardly ever practiced.) Overall, Andrew is an outstanding instructor and we are blessed to have found him.
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FAQs
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
What to expect in your first lesson? Here is my new blog post on it: https://518guitar.com/Blog.aspx?Page=0
We will have a quick call so I can learn about your top goals and reasons for playing/wanting to learn the guitar. Then, with that in mind, we would move forward in weekly lessons (or one of my masterclasses). I would be sure to 'reverse engineer' toward your goals so I can make our lessons fun and relevant.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Two certificates from Berklee College of Music. Undergraduate music study at the College of Saint Rose. Local awards and touring nationally. Over FIFTY five-star google reviews. I have been teaching for 15 years and have references. I've taught dozens of students of all ages.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Yes. The pricing is $30/half hour lesson in my home studio OR online face to face; $55/hour.
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching by teaching my college friends when I was in undergrad. They would hear me play guitar and they would wish they could do the same. So I would hand them a guitar and say, "Let's do it!". I didn't think of it as teaching. Many of them still play guitar. I fell in love with teaching private students at that point and never stopped teaching. It has grown now amazingly! I went from 3 or 4 students after college graduation to 30 or 40 currently, depending on season.
What types of students have you worked with?
Ages 7-80, so far! Beginners through intermediate and some advanced players.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
John Mayer live was awesome! Looking forward to more events now that live music has started happening again.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Try a couple teachers. But first...make sure you have a list of goals. If you are a parent looking for lessons for your children - talk with the teacher and give them an idea of your overall goals for your child/learner - is it singing? overall musicality? Guitar strumming? College audition? plays/theater? singing and playing at home gatherings? Etc.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
How much time will they have to invest in practice? Do you have, or can borrow/purchase, a dependable instrument? This will assist in making realistic goals.