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Patience

I’m really friendly and super patient. I appreciate that there are subjects you’ll master quickly, while others will take you longer to get a hang of. Don’t worry, we’ll take things as fast or as slow as we need to. We’ll try different methods and tackle issues from various angles, to make sure you’re on top of things

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Experience

I’ve taught hundreds of students over the past 10 years, with ages ranging from 9 to 68, including kids and adults with special abilities. I also have tons of on stage and recording experience as a session guitarist and bandleader. It’s one thing to know how to play; It’s a whole other thing to make a living out of it

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Fun

My lessons are fun and exciting, because that is what playing music is all about. You’re not only here to learn, but to also enjoy your time and be inspired. We’ll work with the music that you love to practice what we’ve learned and spend as much time as we need to make sure you’re playing the kind of music you want to play

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Flexibility

I teach 7 days a week - mornings / afternoons / evenings - so you can easily fit the lessons to your schedule. While I strongly recommend a full hour lesson once a week, I can definitely accommodate a different time frame or lesson frequency that will better fit your needs

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Support

I offer 24/7 after lesson support. That means that if you ever get stuck while practicing, you’re not sure if you’re doing something right or if you just want to ask a general question - I’m here for you. Call, text or email me and I’ll answer any questions you may have

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Satisfaction

I know that choosing the right guitar teacher is hard. You’ve got all of these people advertising themselves, but you have no idea how good or bad they really are. Since I’ve been doing this for a long time, I’m confident enough in my work that I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is. If you are not 100% happy with your lesson, it’s free!

Jacob Light

About me

I’ve been a professional musician and guitar teacher for the past 15 years, helping hundreds of students be the best guitar players they can be. Whether you just want to play a few songs for your friends, be the guitar player in the band or aspire to be a full time working musician – I can show you the way to get there. I’ll tailor the lessons to your goals, your musical taste and the amount of time you have to practice every week, and create a personalized guitar curriculum that fits you perfectly.

Playing the guitar is my life, my passion and my livelihood – and it shows in the way I teach. I started playing almost 20 years ago, and have been practicing every day since. I had a lot of great teachers along the way, and I incorporate the best in each and every one of them in my lessons. Having been a working guitar player for a decade now, I learned a ton of priceless tricks from fellow musicians and artists, that I’d be happy to share with you.

I’m also a huge guitar nerd and gear head. I’m always happy to talk guitars, amps, pedals, cables, accessories – you name it. I’ve used some of the best guitar gear known to man and I keep buying more and more stuff every week. I can help you find the sound you’re looking for, point you in the right direction when it comes to guitar equipment and accompany you when you pick out new or used gear. Plus, you are free to try guitars and pedals from my private collection.

Call, text or email me today.

Guitar Lessons

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Lessons take place in a newly renovated studio, located in downtown Lafayette, a quick minute off the freeway. There’s always a guitar ready, an amp on and a freshly brewed pot of coffee.

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Lessons are $80 for a full hour, once a week. While I strongly recommend this schedule, I can definitely accommodate a different time frame or lesson frequency that will better fit your needs

Welcome to the exciting world of guitar playing! We’ll start off by getting you familiarized with the guitar, learn a few basic musical terms and quickly move on to actual playing. By the end of your first lesson you will be able to play a few simple chords, get to know a few notes and maybe even learn how to play your first song (we’ll try to pick a cool one, don’t worry). I’ll help you develop correct playing technique and gradually walk you through the different stages of getting to be a better guitar player. I’ll help you build your confidence and make sure you have loads of fun, because that’s what music is all about!
Are you feeling stuck? You can play, but don’t know how to get to that next level? Do you want to know what you’re doing instead of just winging it? You’ve come to the right place! Show me what you know and I’ll start teaching you exactly where you left off. I’ll show you how to move forward and help you establish better practice routines. We’ll work on some theory, advanced chord voicings and even some basic soloing. Whether you taught yourself how to play with YouTube videos, or you had a teacher before – I can lead you to the next step in your playing and help you be the guitar player you always wanted to be.
Are you tired of playing those same pentatonic licks over and over again? Do you want to play faster, but not sure how to develop better technique? Are you frustrated with not being able to play as good as you know you can? Don’t worry about it – I’m here to help! I’ll show you how to combine different scales together, including the ones you already know, to get more “flavor” in your playing. I’ll make sure you have all the basics figured out and help you work your way up from where you are. I’ve got about a 1,000 different technique building exercises I can show you, and I’ll even teach you how to develop your own exercises to build a more unique and original sound. We’ll also explore some different soloing ideas and I’ll teach how to use the music theory you already know in your everyday playing – both rhythm and lead.
Unfortunately I am unable to accept any new students at this time. However, I can still help you with guitar lessons! Since teaching guitar is a true passion of mine, I have carefully assembled a team of top-notch guitar masters to help me make sure you get the best possible music education.
All of my team members are professional performing musicians who have dedicated their lives to playing the guitar. They have music degrees from some of the best colleges and universities in the nation and have all been personally vetted by me.
We have spent countless hours developing curriculums, debating teaching methods and assembling a vast library of music books, charts and educational material. Above all, ModernTone instructors all teach because they absolutely love to share their talent, knowledge and experience with students like you.
I am proud and humbled to introduce you to my guitar dream team:
Charles Pariente
Charles ParienteBluesFingerstyleJazzMetalMusic TheoryPopRockSongwriting

Charles Pariente is a professional guitarist, songwriter, music producer and educator with over two decades of playing experience. Charles is a graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music and is currently working on multiple productions in the Bay Area, all the while sharing his passion and knowledge with students of all ages and playing levels.

Learn More

Daniel Nervo
Daniel NervoBluesClassicalCountryFingerstyleJazzMetalMusic TheoryPopRock

Daniel Nervo is a full-time professional guitarist who performs regularly with top bands in the Bay Area, ranging in style from rock, pop, country and jazz. He studied classical guitar at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and went on to study jazz at Grove School of Music in Los Angeles. Daniel also studied music theory and classical performance at UCLA.

Learn More

Guitar Lessons Frequently Asked Questions

 

What should I bring with me to my first guitar lesson?

Your guitar, a notebook and a will to rock and roll!

Why do I need to bring a notebook with me to a guitar lesson?

The notebook is going to be your own personal custom fitted guitar learning book. I write down everything we talk about in our lessons and make sure your homework for the week are crystal clear. This way, whenever you need to remember an old subject or concept we already covered, you can just leaf through your notebook and find it. In addition, I have found that people tend to grasp and fully understand certain topics better and faster when they’re explained to them visually.

Can I borrow a guitar or do I have to buy one?

You can definitely borrow a guitar, just make sure that you are free to keep it for a while, because you’ll need it to practice at home between lessons.

Do you teach music theory? Will I have to learn some?

I do and you probably will, but the good news is that with me you’ll never learn theory just for the sake of learning theory. I teach what I like to call “Applicable Theory”, which is a fancy way of saying that whenever we talk about a theoretical concept, I’ll show you how to use it on the guitar and have it contribute to your playing right away. In my experience, this way of learning makes music theory much less “scary” for aspiring guitarists and really helps them to translate their new found theoretical knowledge into better guitar playing. On a side note: when explained correctly and in the right context, music theory is not only easy, but can actually be pretty fun. For real!

What kind of a guitar should I buy?

If you’re a beginner, I recommend that you get a Classical Guitar, which is sometimes referred to as a Nylon String Acoustic Guitar. You can get a pretty decent one for about $100, and they usually last for years. There are a lot of other advantages to starting out with a Classical Guitar, such as the the nylon strings – which are easier on your fingertips, the wide and easy to reach neck – which better accommodates all hand sizes and the bare simplicity of the instrument – that helps to focus on the actual playing.

Can I start learning with an acoustic or an electric guitar?

You can definitely start learning with either an acoustic or an electric guitar, but you should know it might be a bit harder. On the other hand, you won’t be the first to do that, so feel free to try it out. If I ever feel that you’d be better off switching to a classical guitar, I’ll be sure to let you know.

I like to wear my fingernails long. Will I have to cut them in order to play the guitar?

Unfortunately yes. Long fingernails will get in the way of pressing the strings to the fingerboard, thus not allowing you to produce a proper note. Sorry…

I always felt self conscious about my hands being too big/small - can I play guitar?

Not only can you play guitar, my friend, but having irregular size hands might actually turn out to be an advantage, allowing you to easily master techniques that others find hard. Besides, there are specially fitted guitars for people with smaller hands, such as 1/2 and 3/4 size guitars. For you bigger handed folks, there are plenty of models that offer thicker necks and wider fretboards that will make you feel right at home. The bottom line is: don’t worry about it, you’ll be playing guitar in no time!

How much will I have to practice in order to be a good guitar player?

There’s a direct connection between the amount of time you spend practicing every day, and your ability to play the guitar. However, since playing music is not a competitive sport, you won’t have to practice 2-3 hours a day to be able to play songs and have fun. I usually instruct beginners to start with 10-15 minutes a day, 5 times a week. As we progress, you’ll need to invest more time into your practice routine. Ideally, I’d like my more advanced students to practice for about an hour a day, 5 times a week. However, it is entirely up to you. If for any reason you can’t spend that much time practicing, I can give you a weekly exercise that will fit your timeframe, while incorporating some actual practice time in our weekly lessons. While you might advance a bit slower, at least you’ll be doing it efficiently and have fun in process.

I’ve been playing guitar for a while now, but I feel stuck and don’t really know how to improve my playing. Can you help me with that?

I sure can! Introducing you to new ideas, techniques, methods, scales and musical concepts, will help you break out of your rut and regain that long lost enthusiasm. In addition to that, I will make sure you improve gradually from week to week and help you establish a proper practicing regimen. I’ll teach you how to be meticulous about your playing and maybe even show you a secret trick or two ;)

What are your influences and who are your favorite guitar players?

I always loved Eric Clapton’s playing, ever since I was a kid. Looking back on it, he is probably one of the reasons I ended up picking up a guitar. I was always into Slash, as well. I think he is an amazing guitar player and I love his style, sound and feel.
I got a lot of my blues training by listening to guys like BB King, Albert King and Freddie King, and trying to imitate their style. Other guitar players I really dig are Andy Timmons, Greg Koch, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Brad Paisley, Joe Bonamassa, Buddy Guy, Richie Sambora, Angus Young and the list goes on and on…
As far as influences go, I think that The Beatles were my first musical love, and I’m a huge fan to this day. I grew up listening to a lot of Punk Rock and I can usually relate to any song that has loud drums, screaming guitars and a kick ass chorus. I also listen to Classic Rock, a ton of Blues, good ‘ole Country, some Jazz and if I’m in the right mood – some classical music, too. To be honest, I like good music – regardless of the genre. If the song is good and well performed, I’ll like it more often than not.

Reviews

"I have really learned allot from him, and plan on seeing him weekly until I can play better than he can ( never happen :) )"

Richard R., Yelp.com

"His enthusiasm for what he is doing makes our time together fun and meaningful."

Harry G., Thumbtack.com

"Jacob has an answer for every question you throw at him and it’s obvious that he is really passionate about teaching."

Jonathan D., Thumbtack.com

Thumbtack

Richard M.
113d ago

Jacob is very engaging and thoroughly knowledgeable. Don’t be fooled by the grim from door, once inside the tiny studio this guy is really really good. As an absolute beginner I was more than a bit intimidated before stepping through his door, after one session with Jacob I am practicing and cant wait to go back and progress my guitar playing.

See all reviews

Studio Sessions and Live Gigs

As a full time working musician, I’ve played tons of studio sessions and more live gigs than I can count. I’m professional, I’m always positive and I have the utmost respect for the music I’m hired to play. Whether your songs are as simple as can be or super complicated and progressive, I’ll play them accurately, passionately and to your complete satisfaction.

When you hire me to play your music, you get a hard working seasoned pro. That means that I’m not going to show up to your session and “wing it”. I’ll learn each and every guitar part in advance, practice it thoroughly and show up on time ready to rock! I’ll also hand pick the right combination of hi-end guitars, amps and effects to nail that exact sound you have on your album, your demo or even in your head.

If you’re looking for a solid, experienced and creative guitarist who is also very professional and fun to work with – try me out. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

Online Guitar Lessons

365 Guitar Licks Project

365 Guitar Licks Project aims to bring fresh musical ideas and concepts to guitar players on a daily basis. The format is simple: a daily 1-minute video that demonstrates a lick twice in normal speed, and then twice more slowly, so you can figure it out and play along.

Every lick also includes full notation and TAB, that you can download as a PDF or a Guitar Pro file (both gpx and gp5). The best part about it is that it’s 100% free! All the videos are up on YouTube and the download links are right there in the video description. So if you’re looking to diversify your playing and enrich your musical vocabulary – this project is exactly for you!

You can read more about the project, and how I got the idea to start it, right here.

 

 

GuitarMasterClass.net

Check out some of my online lessons at GuitarMasterClass.net – one of the biggest guitar teaching websites in the world. Every lesson includes 9 full HD videos, backing tracks at various tempos, a jam track and full TAB in ASCII, PDF and Guitar Pro formats.

Those guys are so great that you can actually get the performance video + TAB for free – no subscription necessary. While you’re at it, make sure to browse their extensive library of online lessons. There are tons of awesome lesson available.

GuitarMasterClass is a place where you can improve your musical skills and meet people with similar interests. The main focus is to having fun while learning. GuitarMasterClass also strives to inspire students to find their own unique style. To help you become a great guitarist, we have collected a crew of skilled guitar instructors from all around the world.

 

 

All the licks, as well as many more free online guitar lessons, are available on my YouTube channel.

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You can now book your guitar lessons with me online. Seriously! No credit card or pre-payment needed. Just choose a day and time, enter your info and you are pretty much set. I’ll even text you a couple of days before your lesson to remind you about it. It’s that easy! Go ahead, book a lesson and let’s play some music together
BOOK YOUR GUITAR LESSON ONLINE
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You can now book your guitar lessons with us online. Seriously! Just choose a day and time, enter your info and you are pretty much set. We’ll even text you a couple of days before your lesson to remind you about it. It’s that easy! Go ahead, book a lesson and let’s play some music together
BOOK YOUR GUITAR LESSONS ONLINE