Words from Students
A place for current BML students and parents to share a few words
I decided to take guitar lessons on a whim, because I thought it would be something I’d enjoy. My BML teacher didn’t make me just enjoy it; He has helped me, and continues to help me, understand and feel the music. He is an amazingly talented teacher and I love every lesson I have with him! I have a much better appreciation and understanding of the music we learn. He’s super patient and leaves me feeling more and more confident after each lesson.
-Ahuva Ruvel
I am a classically trained cellist who is interested in finding out why jazz sounds like jazz; specifically working from a guitar perspective. Thanks to BML, I was introduced to Greg Ruggiero. Greg's unique approach towards learning jazz has greatly influenced all of my own music making since starting lessons earlier this year. Coming from a conservatory background it has been great being able to connect all of the dots so to speak with someone who spends a great deal of time practicing what they preach. A great experience all around with Brooklyn Music Lessons.
-Ian Flatt
I've been looking for a piano teacher for my seven year old daughter for months. I found Brooklyn Music Lessons online and signed up for a meet and greet. It was the perfect match and she loves her instructor. The process of signing up, meeting the instructor and buying lesson time online is easy and efficient. The instructor is professional, and very cool. We are very happy. I highly recommend finding instructors and taking lessons through Brooklyn Music Lessons!!
-Tara Sansone
I've dabbled in learning music software (Ableton Live) and music theory for years, but I decided to get a little more serious and structured last year. BML was perfect for my needs -- I was matched up with a teacher who understood what I wanted to learn. My lessons are structured but loose, which means I can spend my hour and a half learning theory, recreating a synth sound, or working on drum patterns. It's sort of funny telling people I take music lessons but I'm not learning an instrument. But BML is cool like that.
-Jessica Suarez
I'm going to keep using BML when I'm looking for help or guidance in my career. [My teacher] has been a great teacher so far, he's a skilled guitar player, he's plugged into the music community in NYC, and he's a pleasure to be around.
-Marcos Sanchez
In the past, my attempts to learn different music disciplines had always been thwarted by the self-sabotage of perfectionism. I went to NYC public schools in the 1970s and early 1980s with no music programs. I always felt it was too late for me to learn an instrument as an adult until I found BML. My teacher's empathetic approach to music instruction has kept me at ease enough to continue with consistency and, as corny as it sounds, with joy.
BML is great! Last year, I decided on a whim that I wanted to learn how to play the guitar (and given my past track record this whim could have easily resulted in me losing interest very quickly). But I found an instructor who not only sustained my interest but has expanded it as well. My teacher is very attentive, and it is obvious he is passionate about music and teaching it. He has such a broad knowledge base. He is technically advanced and an inspired musician and easily inspires his students as well. I have learned so much from him, the process has been fun and enjoyable, and I always look forward to my next lesson!!!
-Wendy Phillips
"The first criterion in anyone’s mind, when looking for an instructor, is technical prowess. Yet most people neglect the fact that all the skill and knowledge in the world comes to nothing without the ability to convey it. [My teacher], apart from being exceptionally versed in the vocal arts, is such a flexible and adaptive communicator that she could teach tone-deaf 2 year olds to sing operatically. Emphatic testimony aside, she’s fun, lively and easy going; a grade A plus instructor!"
-Ilya Chernyatyev
I can't recommend [my teacher] highly enough. She has a solid, comprehensive technical background combined with a fun delivery. [She] has led me forward, enabling me to make consistent progress over my two years studying with her.
-Matt Dundas, Tenor / Singer Songwriter
I started with BML after hitting a plateau in my learning that I couldn't get past. My teacher was very quick in identifying what was holding me back and I feel like I'm back on track, learning again and enjoying a renewed sense of accomplishment with my guitar. My teacher is at once down to earth and philosophical in the way he teaches, he's great help on the practicalities of learning to play as well as on the intangibles - in my case helping me to plug back into my original motivation for learning guitar, and using that to direct my daily practice as well as the type of music I'm pursuing. I highly recommend BML!
-Andy Stone
I sought out Brooklyn Music Lessons to learn the basics of guitar, however, my teacher's vast musical knowledge and ability to teach allowed me to delve deeper into music than I ever would have imagined. While teaching me strategy and techniques through a customized lesson plan based on my favorite music, he effortlessly instilled a deep understanding of music theory. Not only is he one of the most skilled guitarists I know, his patience and ability to teach music well make him an ideal teacher. He's also super cool and was good with my dog.
-James Hagen
BML is great! My teacher's patience and easy going manner are what I responded to immediately. That and the fact that he instantly picked up on my skill level and has worked with me in developing an approach specifically for my needs as a guitar player. You can't get better than that! Great Stuff.
-Michael Hudson
Learning guitar with my teacher is like being taught by a friend. He makes it really fun, but you learn so much - but not in a boring way!
-Olive Godlee, 9 yrs old
I really look forward to my lessons. We always have lot of fun and it's been incredibly helpful to my playing. Over the course of the last year, we have incorporated everything from Pink Floyd and Santana to the soundtrack music from Napoleon Dynamite to bluegrass versions of traditional Christmas carols... and there is always a very useful lesson to go alongside. If you're considering taking guitar lessons, I highly recommend Brooklyn Music Lessons.
-Ryan Dembinsky
In the past year, I have learned a bunch of great songs with my teacher, he definitely makes it fun and interesting to learn guitar from scratch! He is patient and talented + projects an excitement to learn.
-Gina Lu (jemmalulu.com)
I have taken lessons from [my BML teacher] for several years. I have always found him easy to work with. He allows me to take the lessons in any direction that I want: sometimes theoretical, sometimes just playing, but there has never been a time when my lesson hasn't been enjoyable. I think that's an important thing to consider in taking music lessons. That yes, there is the practicing side of it, but that your teacher can also bring out the fun - it's what makes making music worthwhile. There are times when I am feeling down and not really sure I want a lesson, or I haven't done a lot of practicing and feel guilty; by the time my lesson is done, I am happy because my teacher seems to be able to make a lesson from where you are at, and shape it. So, I think very highly of him, and consider myself very lucky in finding him.
-Shelley Smith
