Brooklyn Guitar School

Emilio Tostado (guitar) ROCKS and Anthony Hollock (piano & voice) is a [Jesus Christ] SUPERSTAR! More on these amazing teachers below.
I’ve been taking my boys (now 10 & 8) to BGS for years, and I count ourselves so lucky to have everyone who works there – teachers, schedulers, managers – as part of our community, really our extended local family. Everyone at BGS is genuinely encouraging, supportive, enthusiastic. They are also laid back, easy to talk to in person, and super helpful on the phone with questions. The teachers take care to suggest songs to learn that kids know and enjoy; they ask the kids what they like to listen to and go from there. They all take the time to explain to parents what they’ve worked on and what to practice during the week, and praise the kids to us parents, too. Lessons have gone long when the teachers can manage it; they follow the kids’ leads and don’t rush them out.
My 10-​year-​old has experienced a few wonderful guitar teachers through the years (because the teachers are young and occasionally move on as they work on their own careers – but BGS manages transitions with sensitivity). Emilio is all the adjectives above and more – patient and kind with a kid who has really not yet developed a passion for his instrument and is not really diligent with practicing during the week. He’s brought my son along to another level in six months. My kid is currently working on «Centuries» by Imagine Dragons, and I can see his pride in what he’s now able to play.
My 8-​year-​old started voice coaching and piano at BGS when he was 6. Anthony has given him support, encouragement, praise, and a great time every week, on top of superb, professional coaching in voice technique and performance (he throws in acting help, too). Anthony has worked with my son as his voice has gotten deeper in these two years (as the mom, I didn’t even notice the change) to increase the depth, strength, and richness of his singing and increase his vocal range. My son is less enthusiastic about piano, but Anthony follows my request that he split the lesson time and work on giving my son some facility with piano, and he’s patient and supportive there too. He’s always attentive to the kid’s interests and uses them in song selections to spark as much motivation as possible. Anthony is always cheerful, and we both look forward to our time with him, even though my son gets 45 minutes of his time and I get 5! My son is rather fanatic about musical theater, so being able now to accompany himself on «Memory,» from the musical «Cats,» has him pretty excited!

I’m currently on my second group class with Kyle, he is a wonderful teacher: he focuses on how to practice and takes things slow, his methods help you build good technique without really realizing it! I’m also really glad that he focuses on musicality and on shaping a song with your strumming technique. I strongly recommend taking classes with him!

I’ve been trying to teach myself guitar for years and finally decided to take it seriously and sign up for a Near Beginner class with Ivan. I loved it so much, I continued on with the Intermediate Beginner class. I can’t believe how much I’ve learned in such a short time. I plan to continue on to the next class (and every class after that). It is seriously the high point of my week!
Everyone at the school is welcoming and helpful and no matter how much you suck going in, it is not at all intimidating. Ivan is a fantastic teacher… he’s super patient and encouraging and does a really great job explaining technique. I highly recommend this school for rockers of all ages and ability levels.

I have been taking weekly lessons with Kyle for 4 years, when I picked up a guitar as a neophyte. He has made this ride most enjoyable. We have explored many different styles, and he makes each session fresh and exciting. As of late, I joined a band through the school, with 2 other students and Kyle as our drummer. We perform our «gigs» (recitals) at Hanks saloon quarterly, blues and classic rock, and have received rave reviews from our loyal fan base! None of this could have been possible without his boundless patience and exceptional tutelage. Thank you Kyle, and Brooklyn Guitar School, for being the most dynamite! BGS for president!!!

The best place to learn to play the guitar!
I inherited my first acoustic guitar back in April 2010 — In May 2010 (Since I have NEVER played an instrument in my life) I started weekly classes with Kyle Tigges at BGS and now, as we close out 2010, I am not only playing, but also WRITING chords to my own songs, and playing them… and am well on my way to being the folk-​rocker I have always wanted to be!
I even just bought a second acoustic-​electric guitar.
Need i say more?
BGS teaches in an easy, applicable, hands-​on way, they offer group classes or one-​on-​one. (FYI, I have been taking one-​on-​one but now that I am better at basics, i may switch to group lessons just to see what that has to offer)
They also have instructors that can travel to you in and around Manhattan — in case you are one of those people in Manhattan who doesn’t like to cross «the moat».

Signed my 13 year old up for lessons. With auto-​debit the price is great! My son loves the school. Its a gem on 4^th ave