Guitar
Guitar Lessons at the Conservatory
Wisconsin’s Top Guitar Program
The Conservatory’s guitar department offers top quality instruction on a variety of guitar styles and types. Students will thrive in a welcoming environment catered to whatever skill level you may have. Whether you want to learn just some simple songs for your own enjoyment or take part in a preparatory environment for a professional level, we have the faculty to meet your needs. Choose your teacher from our website and/or our student services will recommend a teacher for you.
New Student Lesson Discount
$220 FOR SIX 30-MINUTE LESSONS
In-person and online Zoom lessons give you access to more than 90 skilled faculty members for any instrument and genre. Join a community of more than 10,000 students and schedule your first lessons today!
Guitar Studies At The Conservatory
What You Can Expect
Playing the guitar can have a number of social and psychological benefits for you or your child; from the brilliant way it allows an individual to express themselves through music, to the dedication it demands by requiring patience and perseverance. What you can expect from guitar lessons and classes at the Wisconsin Conservatory:
- High quality teaching for all ages in multiple guitar types and diverse musical styles.
- Professional guidance that will build proper technique and help you play, cleanly, musically, and without tension.
- Solo and group performance opportunities at the Helen Bader Recital Hall and in the community.
- An enjoyable learning experience and improved self-confidence through playing.
For Ages 4 – 10
NEW – Suzuki Guitar Package
The Conservatory’s popular Suzuki program expands to include guitar with expert WCM teachers.
Jazz & Contemporary Music
The Conservatory’s new Jazz & Contemporary Music offerings will continue to preserve and share the unique heritage of American Jazz — a longstanding WCM tradition — while celebrating its proud heritage that is ever present in the music of today.
Open for Guitar Students
Music Theory Classes
Create compositions, learn basic piano skills, and better understand the music that you create with our new Music Theory classes – now available for all ages.
Music Theory Classes can be taken individually or bundled with a private lesson and group class (Conservatory Prep package), for a comprehensive musical experience.
For Students with 2+ Years of Experience & Beyond
Intermediate & Advanced Programs
Students with at least two or more years on their instrument can enroll in an ensemble or audition for the Advanced Chamber Music Institute and the Honors Jazz Institute.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 3, 2024
2024 Scholarship Auditions
Through generous financial support of our donors, the Conservatory annually awards merit scholarships to new and current students. These merit scholarships are meant to reward accomplishment, effort, and to encourage our talented students to further their skills. The Conservatory’s scholarship auditions provide a wonderful opportunity for students to have a professional assessment of their abilities within a positive and supportive environment.
Auditions for the 2024-25 school year will take place on March 3, 2024.
ONLINE APPLICATION FOR NEW STUDENTS
SCHOLARSHIP AUDITION REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW & CURRENT STUDENTS
*Current Conservatory students should request a scholarship audition application from their private lesson instructor.
Guide to Guitar Styles, Types, Techniques, and Associated Accessories
Classical Guitar
- Nylon string guitar (hollow body)
- Metronome
- Foot stool to rest the left foot on so guitar can lie properly on the left leg. (This will facilitate good technique and posture)
- Right-hand finger techniques are used to pluck the strings
- Involves music note-reading – Music to be discussed with instructor
Country Guitar
- Steel String Acoustic guitar (hollow body) or Electric guitar (solid body) with pick guard
- Pick or fingers or pick/fingers hybrid to pluck and strum the strings
- Finger techniques are an offshoot of classical techniques but with a different right hand angle
- Amp for guitar to be plugged into for guitar to be heard
Fingerstyle Acoustic and Folk Guitar
- Steel String Acoustic guitar (hollow body) or Nylon String guitar (hollow body)
- Pick or fingers to pluck and strum the strings
- Finger techniques are an offshoot of classical techniques but with a different right hand angle
- Strap to hold guitar
Flamenco Guitar and latin american
- Nylon string guitar (preferably with a tap plate), hollow body, and low string action at the bridge (Classical guitar can be used but is not ideal.)
- Taught by ear as the style is an aural art form and with improvisation
- Metronome
- Foot stool to rest the left foot on so guitar can lie properly on the left leg, which will facilitate good technique and posture
- Right-hand finger techniques are used to pluck the strings (very similar to Classical techniques with some variants in position), and inherent to the style, there are specific types of right hand finger strumming techniques used to accentuate flamenco rhythmic patterns
- Involves learning by ear and improvisation
Jazz & Latin Jazz Guitar
- Steel String Acoustic guitar (hollow body) or Electric guitar (solid body) with pick guard
- Strap to hold guitar
- Pick and Picking techniques to pluck and strum the strings
- Amp for guitar to be plugged into for guitar to be heard
- Involves note and chart reading of music, and improvisation
Rock, Fusion, Funk, Blues, R&B, Gospel, Alternative, Pop, Metal Guitar
- Electric Guitar (solid body) with pick guard
- Strap to hold guitar
- Pick and Picking techniques to pluck and strum the strings
- Amp for guitar to be plugged into for guitar to be heard
- Effect Pedals
- Involves note and chart reading of music, and improvisation
Music Education For The Community
Community Partnerships
Does your school, church, early childhood center, public library, senior center, or community organization have a need for quality music education programs in the Milwaukee area? The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music offers community programs to match your need!