Suggestions for Manhattan guitar lessons?

February 4, 2007 5:31 PM

Any good guitar teachers in NYC that won't be too expensive for a student?

I'm trying to gift some guitar lessons for a college student, and I'm wondering if anybody knows any good guitar teachers in Manhattan (a plus if in the UWS). The class would have to be for someone between beginner and intermediate, and would prefer private lessons to classes, although suggestions for both are welcome.

I'd be gifting the first handful of sessions, but I'd like her to continue if she sees fit, so the lesson fees would have to be reasonable for a student. If the place offers discounts for students, even better.

There are so many places in New York and so many people who purport to teach/help/whatnot that I figured AskMe would be the best source of firsthand information. Thanks!

posted by suedehead to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (6 answers total)

Best answer: My friend Ivan has given private lessons for years. He's a music teacher at the same Manhattan elementary school where I teach. And he's one of those guys who plays every instrument really well... super talented guy. And I've never met anyone who didn't immediately like him... he's just one of those people, you know?
Here's his myspace: http://www.myspace.com/ivansdreamband if you want to check him out, but I'll be happy to give you his email address if you get in touch with me.
posted by blaneyphoto at 7:22 PM on February 4, 2007

Best answer: Scott DuBois is a tremendous jazz guitarist. He's been playing for nigh on 15 years now, graduated from the Manhattan School of Music, and (at last glance) is amenable to taking on new students. He's also worth seeing as a performer alone, for what it's worth.
posted by mykescipark at 7:57 PM on February 4, 2007

Best answer: Dan Smith Will Teach You Guitar!
posted by DefendBrooklyn at 11:47 PM on February 4, 2007

DefendBrooklyn, I clicked on this thread to post exactly that, verbatim.

Um, 2nd'ing.
posted by nathancaswell at 9:30 AM on February 5, 2007

Has anyone ever actually seen or heard Dan Smith play? I've been living in nyc for 4-5 years and see the ads everywhere. It's hilarious, but it's also proof that his goofy marketing at least gets in our heads!

Dan Smith tracker

He exists!
posted by zackola at 8:36 PM on February 5, 2007

Response by poster: Thanks for the suggestions, guys.

As for Dan Smith, I had thought of him too, but decided against it as the joke factor was too strong. Hehe.
posted by suedehead at 10:57 PM on February 5, 2007