guitar lessons IN SANTA MONICA
Description:
At Laura Jean Music Academy, our guitar lessons cover a wide range of genres, techniques, and musical concepts designed to develop well-rounded musicians. As a school that specializes in nurturing singer-songwriters, we place a strong emphasis on teaching students how to accompany themselves while singing, helping them build confidence as both instrumentalists and performers. Our comprehensive curriculum includes scales, chords, technical exercises, warm-ups, songwriting fundamentals, and a diverse repertoire of music tailored to each student's goals and interests. Through a balance of creativity, musicianship, and performance opportunities, students gain the skills they need to express themselves authentically and thrive in their musical journey.
Guitar Curriculum Overview
Chords & Strumming Patterns
Students begin with open chords, which form the foundation of rhythm guitar and songwriting. Paired with essential strumming patterns, these skills quickly open up the ability to play a wide range of songs.
Reading
Students learn how guitar notation differs from traditional sheet music, and why both systems are used in guitar playing and performance.
Scales
We introduce various scale shapes and modes as a gateway to lead guitar. These exercises build dexterity, coordination, and foundational music theory.
Techniques
Students explore essential guitar techniques, including finger-picking, slides, bends, hammer-ons, and pull-offs—tools used to recreate the sounds of their favorite songs.
Improvisation
Advanced students apply scales to improvisation, learning how to create guitar solos, develop musical ideas on the spot, and build confidence in spontaneous playing.
Application
Once core skills are established, students focus on applying them musically—exploring feel, dynamics, songwriting, and emotional expression. This includes how the guitar integrates with singing, songwriting, and production to create a complete artistic identity
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCED STUDENTS
For students who continue to show dedication to their craft, we offer various advancement training programs:
LJMA bands bring together the most dedicated students at LJMA to work together and experience playing in a high-quality and dedicated band. They train solo throughout the spring semester in their private lessons learning the material, and then come together for a week-long practice session before performing live at a music festival in June.
ARTIST DEVELOPMENT
Once a student is able to perform a 15-minute set comfortably, they can sign up for solo performance bookings provided by LJMA as part of their artist development training. These performances range from local farmers' market shows, public restaurants, city shows, and requested private bookings.
FAQ
1. Do you offer private guitar lessons for beginners?
Yes. We offer private guitar lessons for complete beginners through advanced students. Our beginner program focuses on chords, rhythm, technique, and musicianship, helping students start playing real songs as quickly as possible.
2. Where are your guitar lessons located?
Our guitar lessons are based in Santa Monica, California. We also offer online lessons for students who are unable to attend in person.
3. Do you offer online guitar lessons?
Yes. We provide live online private guitar lessons for students anywhere in the world. While online lessons are highly effective, we generally recommend in-person lessons whenever possible.
4. What ages do you teach?
We teach children, teens, and adults. Lessons are customized to each student's age, experience level, goals, and learning style.
5. How often should students take guitar lessons?
We recommend weekly lessons. Consistent instruction allows students to follow a structured curriculum, prepare for performances, and make steady progress toward their musical goals.
6. What lesson length is recommended?
Every student is different, but our general recommendations are:
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30 minutes: Ages 5–9
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45 minutes: Ages 10–16
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60 minutes: Ages 14–18 and advanced students
We are happy to recommend the best lesson length based on a student's focus, experience, and goals.
7. Are there performance opportunities for guitar students?
Absolutely. LJMA is a performance-based academy that offers more than 35 live performance opportunities each year.
Most students perform monthly at local assisted living communities and twice annually at our formal Black Tie Recitals. Intermediate and advanced students may also participate in our Artist Development Program, which provides additional opportunities to perform original music and curated set lists at local venues.
We believe live performance develops confidence, accountability, stage presence, and purpose. As students progress, even more performance opportunities become available.
8. Can I still participate in LJMA performances if I take online lessons and do not live locally?
Absolutely! We currently have students travelling in from San Fransisco, New York, Orange County and Arizona each semester to partake in our Black Tie Recitals.
9. Do students need their own guitar?
Yes. Students should have access to their own guitar, a tuner, a strap and guitar pics for home practice. We are happy to recommend instruments based on age, budget, and musical interests.
10. What makes your guitar program different from other music schools?
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Performance-based learning with 35+ live performances annually including monthly oppertunities at local retirement homes for beginners.
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Guarenteed results
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Teachers and staff become truly invested into every student at LJMA, creating a second-family enviroment.
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Our methods focus on accountability, discipline, and independent learning. Students are taught leadership through the skill of music, and are taught to take pride in their own progress.
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100% of students who have studied with us for more than five years have been accepted into top-ranking universities for music and academics. See alumni
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Supportive community that encourages confidence and growth. See what parents and students have to say about LJMA
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We offer unique advanced programs for students to continue their craft.
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Structured curriculum with standardized teaching methods across all instructors
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Exceptional teacher retention, allowing students to build long-term mentoring relationships with their instructors.
11. Do you prepare students for auditions and performances?
Yes. Our instructors are experienced performers who regularly prepare students for school auditions, honor ensembles, college auditions, competitions, and live performances with a veyr high susccess rate.
12. How long does it take to learn guitar?
Every student progresses at a different pace. With consistent practice and weekly lessons, most beginners can play simple songs within a few weeks. Thanks to our performance-based curriculum, nearly all students are able to perform at an LJMA Black Tie Recital during their first semester of lessons.
