Call today to book: (646) 485-7244

Lead Guitar Classes

Lead Guitar Classes

"I believe every guitar player inherently has something unique about their playing. They just have to identify what makes them different and develop it." - Jimmy Page

Play Lead Guitar

• Unlimited drop-in classes, electives and weekly core classes with teachers in real time.
• Personalized skill evaluation and learning plan.
• Full access to 100s of video lessons and PDFs of NYC Guitar School books, lessons and charts.
• Unlimited admission to live-online virtual open mics and concerts.
• Access to the exclusive Facebook group.
• No commitment. Stop anytime.

VIEW CLASSES

My Heroes Have Always Been Lead Guitar Players

(Sorry, Willie!)

Many aspiring guitarists pick up the guitar with the dream of being able to rip out incredible guitar solos inspired by the likes of the great Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, BB King, Prince, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Bonnie Raitt, Howlin’ Wolf, Slash, David Gilmour, John Mayer, Angus Young, Gary Rossington, Melissa Etheridge, etc.

You, too, have a unique lead guitar voice within you. Whether you’re at the very beginning of your lead guitar adventure or whether you are an advanced player looking to explore modes, sweep picking, harmonics or more, at NYC Guitar School we can help you:

  • Build a firm foundation of scales, theory, and technique
  • Gain confidence and dexterity
  • Enhance your improvisation

Getting started on your lead guitar adventure at NYC Guitar School is easy with a trial lesson or month of classes.

Let's Begin...

Curriculum

Lead I: Intro to Lead Guitar

Intro to Lead Guitar is a course designed for rhythm guitar players who have a desire to play guitar solos but have absolutely no lead guitar experience! From simple licks to basic pentatonic scales you will start from the ground up and be playing solos with an understanding of what to do and what sounds cool. There will be simple exercises, patterns and licks. Hammer-ons, pull offs, slides, bends and other techniques will be covered as well as being able to play solos over a 12-bar blues.

For students who have completed Guitar For Advanced Beginners or who are otherwise familiar with basic open and barre chords and basic strums. To register by phone please call.
For secure on-line registration, click here.

Lead II: Lead Guitar Basics

Work on the basics of lead guitar in the context of great rock, blues and folk songs. Learn fundamental lead guitar concepts, scales and techniques…explore the lead guitar ideas of great players such as Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, etc.

For students who have completed Intro to Lead Guitar or who are otherwise familiar with basic open, barre chords, basic strums, hammer-ons, pull-offs, bends, and the basic minor pentatonic scale. To register by phone please call.
For secure on-line registration, click here.

Lead II: Lead Guitar Basics

Work on the basics of lead guitar in the context of great rock, blues and folk songs. Learn fundamental lead guitar concepts, scales and techniques…explore the lead guitar ideas of great players such as Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, Jimmy Page, etc.

For students who have completed Intro to Lead Guitar or who are otherwise familiar with basic open, barre chords, basic strums, hammer-ons, pull-offs, bends, and the basic minor pentatonic scale. To register by phone please call.
For secure on-line registration, click here.

Lead III: Lead Guitar Licks

Using the principles of Suke Cerulo’s Lead Guitar Basics, the Lead Guitar Licks course provides a hands on experience for guitar players who want to be able to figure out how to solo in different contexts. There are (7) Backing tracks that will be given to students along with music charts, tabs and general notes. Also, there are many example solos tabbed out and explained in great detail with Audio examples to hear the solos in action. Exclusively made for this course, these (7) backing tracks (and solos) will provide different styles and levels of challenges that will be discussed and dealt with while playing in class. This course is a great way to take your playing, knowledge and experience to the next level. To register by phone please call.
For secure on-line registration, click here.

Lead IV: Lead Guitar Modes

This advanced course is for students who have completed Lead Basics or the equivalent and are familiar with barre chords. The music modes are colorful inversions of the major scale. Each of the seven modes will be explored and discussed (Dorian, Mixolydian etc.) with fingerings and recommendations for their use (ex. how to solo over Amin/D Maj vs. Amin/Dmin). Each student will also receive a play along CD with 7 tracks, one for each mode. This class is for anyone who wishes to improve their knowledge of scales, chords and keys. Students will develop the ability to play and create riffs and melodies, and apply them to advanced solos. To register by phone please call.
For secure on-line registration, click here.

Lead V: Lead Guitar Chords and Arpeggios

Lead Guitar: Chords and Arpeggios is a class for the advancing guitarist who wants a better understanding of chords, inversions and arpeggios in the context of lead guitar. This class will teach you how to solo based on the chords and not scales or scale patterns. Starting with learning the notes on the fret board, the class progresses thru root, third and fifths of chords on 1 string up to all 6. Also covered are 3 string chords and inversions as well as some sweep and tapping arpeggios. The concepts will be taught through very common chord progressions and lots of class playing. To register by phone please call.
For secure on-line registration, click here.

Upcoming 8-10 Week Courses

All classes are available as a series of private lessons. Reach out to us at info@nycguitarschool.com or call 646-485-7244 ext 1.

Not Into Group Classes? Take a 1-on-1 Private Lead Lesson

View Classes /
Sign Up Online

Click here to view available class schedules by location, time and day and for secure online registration.

...or call
646-485-7244

To check class schedules by phone, or to take advantage of our interest-free payment plan, call 646-485-7244.

Satisfaction Guaranteed

Attend or make up all ten sessions of the course, and if you're not satisfied we'll refund your tuition in full!


  •   "Thank you NYC Guitar School for nine years of engaging, professional, and fun lessons and activities. Our son Austin has grown to love his Suzuki guitar lessons with the ever-patient, encouraging, and amazing Rob. The children in his weekly group class have bonded into an endearing group of young musicians. The Suzuki camp offered each year is always a highlight of summer vacation and consistently scores two thumbs up! It’s hard to imagine a time when NYCGS wasn’t part of our child’s life. It has definitely made his life fuller and has filled our lives with beautiful music! We look forward to many more years at the school."
    Yee Hom Family

  •  

    "Flexible... Service oriented... Knowledgeable... Patient... Excellent... Accommodating...

    Free resources, tools, and anything else you need to get there. Cannot recommend enough."

    Rukiya J.
  •   "I was given a gift certificate to Brooklyn Guitar School after my wife researched it online. I had taken guitar lessons back in the Bronze Age when I was a kid, and I love music of all kinds (OK, maybe not too much disco or Dixieland at any one sitting, but otherwise, let 'er rip). BGS teaches a series of incremental skill- and song-based beginners classes that allow you to quickly learn chords, strums and technique, play cool songs right away, and have nearly illegal amounts of fun while you are doing so. Koby taught my Absolute Beginners classes and I have been with Michelangelo ever since. They are both accomplished professional musicians; and experienced, enthusiastic and patient teachers who make sure you get it right while you're having a great time. Taking group lessons also allows you to interact with other noobies, support each other and learn together. The school also sponsors open house sessions, sing-alongs and vocal classes, and group performances. They sponsored an ACLU fundraiser by teaching "Songs of Peace and Freedom" (This Land Is Your Land, For What Its Worth, Redemption Song, City of Immigrants, If I Had A Hammer). We played the songs again in Union Square Park this past June. The school has a wonderful funky, laid-back vibe; and is welcoming to old and young students alike. The staff is uniformly cool and helpful-they can't do enough for you (from suggestions about buying an instrument to helping replace a busted E string.) So I am over a year into my studies, a proud graduate of their "Beginner" classes; and it's just great to be able to fell like I can actually "make music" every so often. I can't imagine learning anywhere else."
    Andrew E.
  •   "Been 2 years since I wrote the review below. This past performance at the Way Station in Brooklyn moved me to write a second one. Never would believe I would play on stage with fellow performers. Brooklyn Guitar School gave me that opportunity. Everyone works to create a safe place to grow and express your abilities despite doubts that players always have about themselves. Despite the fear that comes when performing. Teachers and fellow students are very positive and supportive so you are not afraid to get out there. Safe and also real. REAL ROCK... REAL ROCK AND ROLL. ----- Two thumbs up for Brooklyn Guitar School! I played guitar in my teens but could never get past basic open chords. Three years ago I started lessons at Brooklyn Guitar School. The fit was so right for me. Comfortable environment where everyone, young and old, experienced and novice, is welcomed and valued. The instructors are accomplished professionals in their own right, and all know how to teach different types of styles to different types of players. Private lessons are great, and in Performance classes students play with other students. This allows players to come together in a "band' and perform both at the music center and at a local establishments... and there is nothing like the real thing to build confidence and musicianship. And if you are part of the Brooklyn Guitar School, you are also a part of a citywide Guitar School, with opportunities in Manhattan and Queens as well as Brooklyn. So if you are looking to grow musically, I highly recommend checking them out. The place is right, the people are right, and the price is right."
    Linda A.
  •   "I have been taking lessons with Nick for over a year now. My weekly lesson has become the highlight of my week. The school is great and Nick is an awesome teacher. He can teach any song or style, breaking it down into easy to learn bits. So far I can play Redemption Song, Wish You Were Here, Proud Mary, San Tropez, and Summertime among others. He teaches me how to correct mistakes and drill down more challenging parts and has the answers to any music related questions that I have. I highly recommend Nick and The New York City Guitar School. It's the best money I have ever spent! Try it, I am sure you will agree!"
    Mark P.
  •   "The first thing I want to say is that I hope everyone is staying safe during these unprecedented times. I have been a student of the NYC Guitar School for quite some time, about 5 years. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this school. I am currently taking Guitar Ensemble at the Brooklyn school and Absolute Beginners for Bass at the Midtown school. Recently, my classes have been moved online. While I was skeptical, at first, I have been amazed at the experience. I may feel like I've gone down the rabbit hole, but being able to continue my guitar lessons is providing a little bit of stability at this time. Don't be afraid of online classes. They are just as amazing as the classes at the school. Both of my classes are group classes and the transition to online group classes was seamless. I am thrilled to be able to continue forward on my musical journey and the NYC Guitar School are the best guides I could ever ask for. They are amazing musicians and leaders. I hope that we will be able to come together soon, in the meantime, this is a wonderful alternative. If need be, I will continue in these lessons online until such time as we are released from our current situation. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Dan Emery and all the members of the NYC Guitar School who are doing everything possible to help us to keep making music together."
    Eletra J.
  •   "I've been taking classes here for several years now. I came to learn one instrument, and, after about a year, realized I was more interested in a different instrument. My teacher was not only capable of teaching multiple instruments, but offered me wisdom and advice when I decided to pick up a new instrument (brands, pricing, what's the best tuner, gig bag, etc.). I can't say enough positive things about Brooklyn Guitar School—highly recommend."
    Hope Anne N.
  •  

    "I love this place! My son takes a private lesson while I take a group class. We also performed in a special 'birthday showcase' last summer because our birthdays are close together. Best Guitar School Ever!"

    Marquina I.
  •   "I can't say enough wonderful things about this school. I've been taking classes at BGS for 3 years and have gone from only being able to play a couple of chords to feeling confident enough to perform at open mics. I've been taking Kyle's ensemble class for over a year and it's the highlight of my week. He is a talented musician and an incredible teacher who does a great teaching us technique and theory in a laid back, patient manner. He's also just a really wonderful person! It's been great getting to know everyone at the school-- they are so supportive and helpful, it feels like family. Taking classes at BGS has actually gotten me through some tough times. I always knew I had it to look forward to no matter what. Thank you to Ivan, Kyle and everyone for creating such a special place to learn music!"
    Michele B.

STAY CONNECTED

Get the Latest Tips & News from NYC Guitar School!