Guitar Lessons: Acoustic/Electric, All Ages, Skill Levels, and Styles (Mount Washington)

About This Service

Whether you are just starting out or have some experience, whether you are five or fifty, my experience shows that with a little daily practice, anyone can learn to play the guitar.

Your aim might be to simply master your favorite tunes, or perhaps you wish to compose your own music, improvise, or perform on stage. As with anything worthwhile, there are no quick fixes. Learning guitar requires dedication and time, but the reward is the capacity for musical self-expression—a profoundly fulfilling skill to acquire at any age or stage of life.

My primary objective is to guide you to the stage where you are actively making music, rather than getting stuck in endless drills or theoretical study. I want you to play music you love listening to, because that is when you will genuinely value your achievements and find advancement comes more naturally.

We will design a tailored plan based on your objectives and circumstances. I will supply supporting materials and recordings as we go. Areas we may cover include technique, reading music, theory, ear training, soloing and improvisation, and building a solid rhythmic foundation—largely through learning the songs you enjoy.

Beyond fundamentals, it is crucial to learn how to independently push yourself, learn from errors, and continue your musical growth using your ears and available resources, without always needing guidance from a teacher.

I teach both acoustic and electric guitar across a broad spectrum of styles—rock, pop, metal, blues, funk, soul, country, folk, and jazz. We can also explore basics of classical and Latin guitar. I bring many years of performance experience on various instruments, both live and in the studio. I studied guitar at a European conservatory and am a graduate of the Guitar Institute of Technology program at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood.

As an instructor, I have over two decades of experience, having taught at multiple music schools in the U.S. and Europe, in addition to private teaching. Beyond playing, I can assist with selecting instruments and gear, offer advice on guitar and amplifier maintenance and setup, share recording techniques, and address other practical music-making concerns.

Lessons are held at my fully equipped home studio in Northeast Los Angeles (Mount Washington area), a private setting with plentiful free and safe street parking. In some cases, I can teach at your location for an additional fee depending on distance. Online lessons via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, etc., are also available. Lesson packages generally start around $85 per hour.

For further details, references, or background information, please text or email.

Thank you,

-Nils

Feedback from Students

\"As a beginner, Nils helped me progress with a confidence and skill level I didn\'t think possible so quickly. In-home lessons and a flexible schedule have been invaluable. I\'d recommend Nils to players of any level—he\'s approachable, a highly skilled teacher, and a truly good person. Thank you!\"

-Sarah A.

\"Nils is an exceptionally knowledgeable and accomplished instructor. He shows great patience and teaching ability. As an adult learner with high standards, he consistently provides instructional value far beyond what I got from paid app lessons. I highly recommend trying lessons with Nils if you want to advance your guitar playing.\"

-John G.

\"Nils is very knowledgeable and can help you grow as a guitarist. He improves your understanding of theory and its application, knows a lot about equipment, and has a wide skill set that allows him to teach many different songs and concepts.\"

-Daniel M.

\"Nils is an excellent teacher. He\'s very knowledgeable and has helped me improve significantly. He pays close attention to my playing habits, both good and bad, and designs exercises to strengthen my weak areas and elevate my skills. Many can show you how to play a song, but few are as adept as Nils at teaching you guitar.\"

-Eric O.

\"I had several outstanding lessons with Nils. He helped me move past a plateau in modal soloing and in recognizing chord shapes within scale patterns. He was responsive, knowledgeable, and quickly identified what I, as an experienced player, needed to improve. Highly recommended!\"

-Adam C.

\"As an adult who had never held a guitar before, I invested considerable time and effort into finding the right teacher. I wanted someone extremely patient and understanding of a novice\'s challenges, in addition to being an expert musician. I found all that and more in Nils. Don\'t hesitate to book a lesson!\"

-Irene P.

\"My son absolutely adores Nils. Nils has been his guitar teacher for several years and has been wonderfully patient and adaptable, especially since my son has Autism, which can make conventional teaching difficult. Nils recognizes his strengths and treats him like a regular \'cool dude.\' I\'ve watched my son grow more confident in his playing. Nils helps him become a better \'Rock Star\' every week.\"

-Christi D.

\"I\'m a singer-songwriter who wanted to play guitar to aid my writing. After only five lessons, Nils has already taught me so much that I can feel my potential expanding each time. If you want a caring teacher who instructs properly, I highly recommend Nils!\"

-Danielle S.

\"Excellent lessons! They provide many pathways to take my playing forward. Nils gives very clear explanations and has a deep grasp of music theory and how to apply it.\"

-Adam

\"Lessons with Nils have been a terrific experience. I\'ve taken lessons intermittently for years and finally found an instructor who plays the music I want to learn.\"

-Rick N.

\"Nils is a superb teacher. After many years of trying to master certain songs, he pinpointed the exact instruction I needed. He helped me make progress and enjoy the journey.\"

-Robert G.

\"Nils is a very professional and excellent teacher. After just one lesson, I felt significant improvement and had a framework to grow as an artist. I would strongly recommend his teaching to anyone looking to become a better guitarist!\"

-Tyler S.