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August 2023 by Clement D.
As a self taught guitarist for 10 years I thought I knew how to play enough to get by without ever having to take lessons. But then the dreaded self taught guitarist plateau hits. You know where you only play the same songs over and over again. So from the insistence of my wife to keep her sanity. She signed me up for guitar lessons with Craig! All I can say is my mind has been blown. Craig has taught me so much in 2 years than what I accomplished on my own in 10 years. Craig is so patient, nice and easy to talk to. He really goes out of his way to help you understand the concept at hand. Not only is he an amazing guitar teacher he is also very knowledgeable with gear too. With all that said, my wife is happy now because I have the ability to play new songs. I am happy because I am learning music theory and even now more motivated to play. All thanks to Craig Beck!
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July 2023 by Michael T.
I couldn't ask for a more patient and helpful guitar instructor. I am in my 40s and have always wanted to learn to play the guitar, but never found a good opportunity to start until the pandemic had me working from home. Having taken piano lessons casually from elementary school through college, I've had several music teachers over the years and Craig definitely stands out among them. Many of my former teachers were excellent musicians in their own right, but lacked the teaching skills needed to help students understand the material and put it into practice. As a result, I often found myself frustrated because I was being expected to sprint before I even learned how to walk--whether it was music theory, improvisation, technique, you name it. I find Craig's approach dials right in to help me overcome the small things that stand in the way of meeting my goals, breaking things down into small, digestible steps that I can take home and master before trying to take on more complex things. As a result, in my nearly three years with Craig, I find myself easily progressing (with consistent practice) at twice the rate or more than I was with my other teachers. As a busy professional, that is a tremendous value! Here are a few other things I really appreciate Craig has to offer: - A comprehensive curriculum that can be customized/adapted to whatever my needs are that week - A huge library of resources including chord/arpeggio/scale charts, lead and rhythm parts for popular songs, and completely customizable jams tracks in virtually every style - Very knowledgeable on gear/equipment, how they work, and how to maintain them - A level of patience that would put Yoda to shame Although no teacher can replace the countless hours of practice needed to learn to play an instrument well, Craig's instruction has undoubtedly taken me further than I had ever expected. I highly recommend his program.
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May 2023 by Steve R.
Like a lot of people, I've always wanted to learn how to play guitar, but I was intimidated and would give up after a short amount of time. I was convinced my fingers were too fat and the guitar just wasn't something I'd be able to do. A little over a year ago, my son bought me 4 lessons with Craig. I was headed toward retirement and my son's thought was that once I was retired I wouldn't have any excuses. It was probably the best gift I've ever received. It was tough at first, but Craig was always so positive and reassured me that I was progressing as expected. The way he breaks things down helps to make the beginners feel comfortable. Within a few lessons I was actually starting to play music. Craigs has you learn easy songs that you want to know how to play. This makes you want to practice, because you enjoy the music. I'm shocked at how much I already know, and how comfortable I am with learning new things. I really look forward to my lessons. I have a few friends that are trying to learn guitar, with different instructors, and they haven't had the same amount of success as I have. I wish I had met Craig many years ago. I highly recommend Craig! Don't hesitate, you'll be glad you set up a lesson.
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May 2023 by Beatrice M.
Craig is amazing very very patient!! Both my daughter and I take lessons an hour each and I went I thinking there was no way I would be able to play well is such a good teacher I'm on my 3rd song now and I love it. I can play guitar. He helped me learn. We are continuing to take lessons with him. I highly recommend very nice very informative. Nice studio if I could give more then 5 stars I would. Thank you.
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August 2019 by Jesse F.
I have been playing guitar for a little over 25 years, and can play at a very high level. I have played hundreds of concerts, both in my own projects and as a "hired gun." I have neoclassical training, but am also proficient in a number of more popular styles (e.g., rock, blues). As you may know if you have kids, your own child is often more open to receiving instruction from someone else other than you. With you, they may quibble where they would not with another adult. As such, though I was able to get my young son to be comfortable with the basics while he was 6-7, I was a little worried about the more difficult next steps. As a result, I sought out a local instructor. Based on his several positive reviews, I decided to enroll my son in Craig's lessons. I can say, without reservation, that I cannot imagine a better instructor for my son. He is gentle, kind, supportive, and precise. He encourages and elicits continuous improvement from my son (who just turned 9), and my son totally loves his lessons. Also, my boy has progressed faster than I would have thought, and we commonly "jam" now at home. It is a dream come true. Craig is fantastic. He's exactly what you should hope to get in a music instructor for your child. Or, for yourself. And, as a guitarist myself, I can confirm that his technique is right on. He and I actually share a guitar instructor in common (Paul Hanson), and I can attest that he teaches his students my favorite version of the instrument. It's versatile, effective, and clean. If you've gotten this far, let me set your mind at ease: Craig Beck is the best instructor you are going to find. Highly recommended.
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March 2018 by Bryce Ferguson
Very enthusiastic.
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September 2017 by christopher miller
My son is 8 years old and he is new to Guitar. We were lucky in getting Craig as his instructor. Even though my son was new, he finished his first song in 6 - 8 weeks and going on good... Craig's approach to teaching guitars is very good... He considers what the student wants and goes with the flow and teach them which helps my son to enjoy guitar while learning... Craig is very methodical and detailed in his lessons which helped our son to grasp and do good. Especially he sends the tunes in different speeds which helps a lot for practicing.
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November 2015 by Sarah Dougherty
Craig has been a great teacher for our teenage son. He encourages him to learn the songs and styles that interest him. Craig is very professional and makes great use of the lesson time. Craig is a great teacher!!!
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November 2013 by Andrew Wycoff
Craig, you've been a tremendous influence on my life; I want you to know that I am ever-grateful for the way in which you shaped and grew my love of guitar and music. You are one of a kind... not only a true Jedi Master of guitar, but also a leader who inspires greatness in his students. My gratitude will never be enough! Infinite cheers, my friend!
To anyone reading this, who is thinking about taking lessons from Craig:
This is a decision you will absolutely never regret. There is no price that can be placed on the value of what he will impart to you. I strongly affirm that your experience as his student will forever echo within your life’s musical journey. Craig’s manner of teaching places you directly in touch with the passion that you already hold inside yourself (despite any level of obscurity). He is a stalwart mentor who is most adept at unlocking your potential. He will help you grow in ways you never imagined possible. His teachings will connect you to all those around you. Craig is a wizard.
Everyone needs a wizard.
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November 2013 by Allison Campbell
Craig Beck is an amazing instructor. He is extremely effective, organized and patient. He has been teaching my 7-year-old daughter who had absolutely no experience acoustic guitar for six months. Regardless of your skill level, he will guide you to your goal. His style of teaching is very effective and professional. Using student chosen material, he can teach any genre - his breadth and depth of knowledge are impressive. Lessons are followed up with written and audio tracks to help with practice at home. His attitude is always positive and encouraging. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone.
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November 2013 by Art Horton
I have been Craig's student for 18 months. My initial goal in taking guitar lessons was to learn fingerpicking styles. I was 70 years old at the time. I could play a few chords but had never taken a guitar lesson previously in my life. I was initially apprehensive about signing up for music lessons at my age. I thought an instructor would not take me seriously. I was very wrong in Craig's case. He has taught me fingerpicking and much more. Above all, he made me interested in progressing to soloing, learning scales and licks. Craig is an excellent professional. He makes learning to play guitar fun. He is patient and has a clarity for teaching that enables the student to understand music theory in simple terms. I have seen students of every age group walk out of his studio. My class might follow a 7 year old fellow student, or a teenager, or grown up men and women. Craig has made me love the guitar much more than I did before I took my first lesson with him. I am no longer intimidated when I pick up the guitar, or playing in front of family and friends. He has given me the confidence to do so. I feel like something was missing in my day if I have failed to pick up the guitar and practiced. I owe that to Craig.
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November 2013 by Tyler Dofflow
Craig Beck's guitar studio is the best private instruction for new and experienced musicians looking to learn Bass or Acoustic/Electric guitar. Mr. Beck's studio provides one on one lessons which really benefits the student because they are recieving the best instruction they can get. The biggest factor that made me chose to take lessons from Mr. Beck for four years was that he allows his students to pick the material that they go over. Students can choose to learn songs or theory or just practice scales and arpeggios. Overall Craig Beck is in my opinion the best and most knowledgable and beneficial for guitarists everywhere.
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November 2013 by Renee Coleman
I cannot say enough about Craig Beck’s excellent guitar instruction; he has taught my two teenaged daughters for the past year and a half. When I asked Esmé, the younger of the two, what makes Craig so special, she replied, “Craig is an all-around great guy who really knows how to teach guitar. We’ve had guitar teachers before who were very talented guitar players but they were not nearly as talented at teaching as they were at playing. Craig is so very gifted at teaching guitar because he actually listens to me and this ability to listen, I think, allows him to help me in the best ways possible. He is extremely patient, always encouraging, and fun. I leave my lesson each time feeling good about myself, about what I’m accomplishing, and encouraged that I can learn more.”
When I asked my other daughter, Marie-Claire, about Craig, she answered by saying, “He is enthusiastic and so very encouraging, friendly, thoughtful, engaging, generously-spirited, and genuine . . . oh, and the big difference I find with Craig is that is really interested in me, I mean, really interested in what I’m learning and in what I want to learn. I really think he is the best guitar teacher!”
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November 2013 by Robbie Erwin
We found Craigs name online. His reviews were good, so my wife decided to take a chance and give him a call. Craig's an incredible instructor with a tremendous amount of talent. He is very patient with my son and conducts himself with a level of professionalism that is hard to come by. Within weeks of my son taking lessons with Craig, my son was already showing an improvement. With Craig’s patience and teaching techniques, my son has been able to learn three songs within a short matter of time. Having taken lessons myself in the past from several other instructors, Craig’s ability as an instructor and musician is unsurpassed. We would highly recommend him to anyone interested in learning to play the guitar or expand upon their existing skills.
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November 2013 by Chandler Jackson
I was thinking of you today, and realized I owe you a huge Thank You! When I had my first lesson with you, I had no idea that playing guitar would become such an important part of my life. I never would have thought I'd travel to different states in the US to play guitar in a band. You make dreams come true!
