Lead Guitar Classes & Lessons

Lead Guitar Classes & Lessons

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OVERVIEW
Lead Guitar

Many aspiring guitarists pick up the guitar with the dream of being able to rip out incredible guitar solos inspired by the likes of great legends. From B.B. King to Albert King, from Hendrix to Clapton, from Prince to Eddie Van Halen, from Bonnie Raitt to Orianthi, from Randy Rhodes to Kirk Hammett, from Jeff Beck to David Gilmour, inspiration is all around!
You, too, have a unique lead guitar voice within you. Discover how you can start today.

new 2025
Get Started with Your Lead Guitar Journey
Step-by-Step Classes

Build your understanding in step-by-step small group courses.

1-on-1 Private Lessons

Take a private lesson with an expert teacher—in-person or online.

"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

new 2025
What You Will Learn:

Play major and minor pentatonic scales in one pattern

Use hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and basic bends

Locate and target root notes on the fretboard

Learn classic blues licks and the "Albert Box"

Improvise with 8th notes and triplets over simple progressions

Play all five CAGED positions of major/minor pentatonic scales

Use octaves and chord outlines to navigate the fretboard

Play pentatonic scales over open chords and changes

Advanced rhythmic techniques, including 16th notes and syncopation

Practice advanced techniques like two-string bends and rakes

Recognize major vs. minor chords by ear

Shape your sound with tone, effects, and gear basics

Major and minor scales across the fretboard

Play arpeggios and chord tones for precise solos

Improvise with scale intervals and connect scales smoothly

Play musically over chord progressions

Develop advanced ear training and refine phrasing

Use repertoire-based learning to polish techniques

Modes: names, sounds, shapes, and uses.

Advanced techniques like multi-finger tapping and sweep picking.

Explore alternate tunings, drones, and unitar riffs.

Improvise with chromaticism, guide tone lines, and counterpoint.

Use polyrhythms and odd-time soloing for complexity.

Create expressive solos with compound bends and pick harmonics.

Develop your unique style through lifelong exploration.

Tuition includes complete access to hundreds of online resource videos, charts and practice audio to help you keep up with the class and successfully complete the program.

Step-by-Step Classes

Build your understanding in weekly step-by-step small group classes.

Lead I:

Foundations of Lead Guitar

Perfect for guitarists who know chords and can play single-note runs but haven’t explored solos, and who have met the pre-reqs of graduating Beginner 9 and submitting a Lead I warm-up video. Learn major and minor pentatonic scales, key techniques like hammer-ons and bends, and explore the fretboard in a supportive setting. Build confidence and play your first solos.

Lead II:

Expanding the Fretboard

Develop your lead guitar skills with all five CAGED positions of the major and minor pentatonic scales — for students who’ve completed 20 sessions in Lead I and submitted a Lead II warm-up video. Practice targeting root notes, adding rhythmic variety, and integrating techniques like harmonics and unison bends. Learn to solo over chord changes and refine your tone and sound.

Lead III:

Mastering Lead Techniques

Take your playing to the next level by mastering major and minor scales, arpeggios, and chord tone soloing — for students who’ve completed 30–40 sessions in Lead II and submitted a Lead III warm-up video. Explore intervals, advanced techniques like rakes and two-string bends, and improve ear training and musical expression through repertoire-based learning.

Lead IV:

Into the Great Wide Open

An advanced, lifelong exploration of lead guitar, including modes, 7th chord arpeggios, tapping and more — for students who’ve completed 30–50 sessions in Lead III and submitted a Lead IV warm-up video. Continue refining your soloing, deepening your musical instincts, and developing your unique voice–while exploring advanced topics in a flexible, creative environment.

Upcoming Weekly Classes

Connect, jam and hone your skills in weekly classes. 

NOTE: Please carefully review the pre-requisites before enolling in a class.

Prerequisites: How to Enroll in a Lead Class

Lead guitar is a long-term commitment — most players spend years moving through Lead I–IV, building technique and their own musical voice one level at a time. Because each class only works when everyone in the room is truly ready for it, every Lead level has a prerequisite: a short warm-up video, reviewed by our teaching team, that confirms you’re prepared for what’s ahead.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Select your level on our Warm-Up Exercises page and practice the warm-up for the level you want to join.
  2. Record a simple video of yourself playing along with the warm-up, and email it to graduation@nycguitarschool.com along with your request to join a class.
  3. We’ll review your video and let you know if you’re cleared to sign up. This isn’t a test to pass or fail — it’s how we protect the pace and quality of every Lead class for the whole group. Most students find it’s a great excuse to get in some focused practice before their first session.

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



  •   "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.

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