Individuals
US$42.00
per week per student
Quick Start Guitar for Beginners
First Name
Irwin
Last Name
Silbernik
Course Summary
This 8-week introductory guitar course is designed to provide students with the fundamental knowledge necessary to be able to start playing the guitar in a very short period of time. The objective is to learn to play simple chords needed to play along with songs, as well as a foundation to continue to the next level of learning if the student desires. All lessons are custom-tailored to help students learn in a way that works best for them! During eight weekly 30-minute sessions, students learn basic techniques and playing styles, as well as basic notation and chords.
Lives In
Highland Park, IL
United States
Course Duration
8 Weeks
Number of Students per section
2
Course Level
Beginner
Instruction Language
English
Educator Profile
Profile Picture
Instructor
First Name
Irwin
Last Name
Silbernik
Number of years of relevant experience
10 Years Experience
From: United States
Teacher Skill Keywords
guitar
Course Details
Great for both hobbyists and professional musicians, this course offers a fast track to learning the fundamentals of the guitar, including playing basic chords and melodies. Each student receives tailored instruction from experienced musician Irwin Silbernik that is designed to meet their needs and their goals as a learner. During the course, Irwin covers multiple topics, including:
- How to identify string names and numbers
- Reading music notation, tablature, chord block diagrams, and fretboard maps
- Learning various picking, fingerpicking, and strumming patterns
- Counting and basic notation
- Learning the first three- and four-string chords
- Learning basic open and full chords
- Using chords to play along with recorded and live music
The guitar is a timeless worldwide classic that brings people together and connects them through the universal language of music. Along with being fun and relatively easy to learn for beginners, studies have shown playing guitar stimulates memory, improves focus, and builds motor skills.
ABOUT THE TEACHER: Irwin Silbernik has been teaching guitar, piano, ukulele, mandolin, and music theory for decades. He has a talent for connecting with students and designing lessons to meet their diverse needs. Irwin has a true love of teaching and his compassionate and inspiring approach sets each student up for success. Irwin majored in piano and instrumental music education at both DePaul University and the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana. He played Timpani with the De Paul University Symphony Orchestra, which regularly performed in Chicago's Orchestra Hall. Irwin received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Illinois in 1974, and his Master's degree in Music Education a year later, in 1975.
The ipassio Edge
Students enrolling for this course on ipassio can be sure that they receive individual attention from the teacher, as the class strength is limited to 1 or 2 students. It also gives teachers the opportunity, to gauge their students progress in depth and make changes whenever and wherever required, to ensure the student gets the maximum out of this course. Since this course is detailed, students get the advantage of learning intricate details about this art form. The limited strength of the class also ensures that there is a strong bond between the students and their teacher clearing out any inhibitions that the student might have. The sustained guidance available from the teacher ensures that the student does not deviate from set goals or targets. Learning from a revered, experienced exponent of this art form, through the long duration of this course, keeps the student inspired and motivated to achieve more.
Course Specific Benefits
The guitar is an instrument that brings people together as a group and connects them through music. Few instruments compare to guitar when it comes to uniting people.
Playing the guitar is fun, and provide benefits besides just having a good time.
Studies have concluded that areas of the brain responsible for memory are stimulated while playing the guitar.
Playing the guitar provides great cognitive benefits for improving focus, intelligence, and motor skills. In addition, playing the guitar can be deeply therapeutic. As long as you play the guitar, you can entertain friends and family members with songs until your fingers no longer allow you play.
These benefits only scratch the surface of the advantages that learning the guitar provide.
About Teacher
Irwin Silbernik - Guitar Instructor
Irwin has a talent for connecting with his students and tailoring lessons to meet their diverse needs.
Besides being a multi-instrumentalist, Irwin has a true love for teaching. His compassionate and inspiring approach makes each student feel special, cared for, and successful.
Irwin is a trustworthy educator with exceptional communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills. These traits enable him to cultivate strong relationships with his students.
Some of Irwin's key strengths include:
- Student Motivation
- Individualized Lesson Plans
- Musicianship Skill
- Performance Abilities
- Comfortable with private or classroom instruction
- Technology Integration
Irwin majored in piano and instrumental music education at both DePaul University and the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana. He played Timpani with the De Paul University Symphony Orchestra, which regularly performed in Chicago's Orchestra Hall (now called Chicago Symphony Center).
Irwin received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Illinois in 1974, and his Master's degree in Music Education a year later, in 1975.
While at the University of Illinois, Irwin studied piano with famed pianist Eugene List, and piano literature with Soulima Stravinsky (Igor Stravinsky's son).
While still working on his Master's degree, Irwin began teaching instrumental music as a substitute teacher in the Champaign/Urbana, IL., school systems.
After receiving his degrees, Irwin ran and taught the music programs for a small town in western Illinois.
After teaching in public school systems, Irwin went to work at Karnes Music Company in Des Plaines, Illinois as a guitar and piano instructor.
Irwin founded the In The Pocket Band, which performed at many Chicago are venues, including the Chicago Blues Festival in Grant Park, Buddy Guys, Kingston Mines and more.
Irwin founded the Silbernik Music Academy in Highland Park, IL, and is now utilizing his educational and performance experience to teach students of all levels.
Prerequites
Students will need a guitar in good playing condition, a tuner (either manual or electronic), and time to dedicate to practicing each week. Learning to practice effectively is critically important to successfully learning to play an instrument and is required at all levels of musicianship.
Weekly Schedule
These sections are for individual students.
Click on Enrol corresponding to the Section that matches your schedule.
| If none of the above timings work for you, just sign up for a free session and we'll work out the timings. | Sign up for a Free Session |
| SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Section
Section A
|
Mon 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM America/New_York
|
2 Seats |
| SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Section
Section B
|
Tue 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM America/New_York
|
2 Seats |
| SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Section
Section C
|
Wed 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM America/New_York
|
2 Seats |
| SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Section
Section D
|
Thu 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM America/New_York
|
2 Seats |
| SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Section
Section E
|
Fri 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM America/New_York
|
2 Seats |
| SECTION | DAY & TIME | Available | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Section
Section F
|
Sat 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM America/New_York
|
2 Seats |
FAQs
Question
How much time should a student enrolling for this course practice everyday?
Answer
This course will require practice time outside of lessons. Time spent practicing may vary from 15 minutes per day to an hour, depending on a student’s level of interest. Students who wish to become professional musicians will need more hours of practice per day using a different set of exercises and materials than students who are seeking to learn music as a hobby. Detailed structure of practice for each student will be discussed and explained during class.
Question
What if a student is unable to attend an upcoming class?
Answer
The student is required to inform the teacher about his absence from a particular session, two days prior to the class. In such a case, the teacher will reschedule the class and conduct the rescheduled class on or before the end (i.e. Saturday) of the ensuing week or such other time as may be mutually decided between the teacher and the student. In case the student misses to give two days prior notice about his absence to the teacher, then the decision to conduct another class for that student is completely based on teacher’s discretion.
Question
What if the teacher wishes to reschedule a class?
Answer
In case the teacher is unavailable for the scheduled class, he/she will inform the students two days prior to the class. The teacher will conduct the rescheduled class on or before the end (i.e. Saturday) of the ensuing week or such other time as may be mutually decided between the teacher and the student.
Question
How long will the teacher take to revert to a query raised after class hours?
Answer
Students should get a response within 24 hours if the teacher is not preoccupied or traveling.