Business Details
27 Years
experience
Expert Guitar Lessons in Chicago
Founded in 1999, Learn Guitar Chicago has been dedicated to transforming aspiring musicians into skilled guitarists through a comprehensive curriculum and personalized instruction. Our founder, Mitch Lavin, brings over 30 years of professional performance and teaching experience, having played at iconic Chicago venues and taught more than 50 students annually. We focus on developing fundamental skills like chords, rhythm, and improvisation while utilizing state-of-the-art recording technology to enhance learning.Our methodology emphasizes musical theory and technique over rote song memorization, preparing students to excel in rock, blues, jazz, and pop genres. With both virtual and in-person lesson options, we cater to learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced players seeking to refine their craft. Student testimonials consistently highlight our ability to break through learning plateaus and foster rapid skill development through Mitch's expert guidance and tailored feedback.
Services
Guitar Lessons
Virtual Lessons
In-Person Lessons
Improvisation Training
Music Theory Instruction
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- Mitch Lavin brings 30+ years of professional guitar experience and teaching expertise since 1999
- We use Pro Tools recording technology for detailed lesson analysis and improvement tracking
- Our curriculum focuses on musical theory and technique rather than simple song memorization
- Offer both virtual and in-person lesson options with flexible scheduling
- Proven track record of helping students break through learning plateaus rapidly
What people say
Learned more in 1 year than other schools in 3
Seamless virtual lesson transition
Comprehensive curriculum
Great with students of all ages
Expertise in multiple music genres
Services
Guitar Lessons
Personalized guitar instruction for all skill levels using a structured curriculum that develops fundamental techniques, musical theory, and improvisation skills through both virtual and in-person formats. Our approach combines technical training with practical application, utilizing professional recording equipment to analyze student progress and refine playing styles across multiple genres including rock, blues, and jazz.
Virtual Lessons
Remote guitar lessons conducted via Zoom that maintain the same high-quality instruction as in-person sessions, featuring real-time feedback and recorded session analysis using professional audio equipment. This format preserves all educational benefits while offering greater flexibility for students to learn from any location with internet access.
In-Person Lessons
Face-to-face guitar instruction at our Chicago studio with safety protocols in place, providing direct hands-on guidance and immediate feedback using professional-grade teaching tools and recording equipment. Students benefit from physical demonstration of techniques and real-time correction of playing mechanics in a dedicated learning environment.
Improvisation Training
Specialized instruction in musical improvisation focusing on developing the ability to create spontaneous solos and compositions through structured exercises in scales, modes, and rhythmic patterns. This training emphasizes understanding musical relationships and developing personal style through practical application rather than memorization.
Music Theory Instruction
Comprehensive teaching of musical theory fundamentals including chord structures, scale patterns, and rhythmic principles that form the basis for proficient guitar playing across all genres. This instruction is integrated with practical application to ensure students understand how theoretical concepts translate to actual performance.
People
Mitch Lavin
Founder & Lead Instructor
Professional guitarist and educator with 30+ years experience, teaching since 1999. Played at Chicago venues like The Cubby Bear and Double Door, maintains a student base of over 50, and utilizes advanced recording technology in instruction.
Questions
What teaching methods do you use?
We focus on musical theory and technique through structured exercises rather than simple song memorization, using Pro Tools recording technology for detailed performance analysis.
Do you offer both virtual and in-person lessons?
Yes, we provide high-quality instruction through both formats with identical curriculum and teaching standards maintained across both platforms.
What experience does the instructor have?
Mitch Lavin has 30+ years professional guitar experience, teaching since 1999, and has played at major Chicago venues while maintaining a student base of over 50 annually.
What music styles do you teach?
Our curriculum covers rock, blues, jazz, and pop with improvisation training that helps students develop personal style across multiple genres.
How do you handle different skill levels?
We customize instruction for each student's level, from complete beginners learning basic chords to advanced players refining complex techniques and improvisation skills.
