Guitar Lessons

Jan. 9, 2013

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.— The Illinois Wesleyan University String Preparatory Department is offering guitar lessons for the spring academic school year. The course, which is open to the public, runs for 10 weeks, beginning on Feb. 6 and continuing through April 19.  Group lessons will be given by Lucas Krolikowski, an IWU adjunct faculty member, in room 16 of Presser Hall (1210 Park St., Bloomington).

To sign up for classes, download the registration form and return it before the Jan. 25 deadline.  Tuition for the program is $125, plus a $20 material fee. Each class is 50 minutes and meets for 10 consecutive sessions, with a week off for spring break.  Private lessons are also available on weeknights for 30, 45 or 60 minutes at a rate of $20 per half hour.

All students must provide their own instrument, preferably a nylon-string guitar, but steel-string acoustics are also acceptable.  Students also will be expected to practice 30 minutes to an hour every day.

Following is a list of the classes that will be offered.

Junior Guitar Group Lessons

For beginners ages 8 – 12


Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m.

Junior lessons will start with music fundamentals and learning how to read rhythms and notes on a staff.  During the course, students will play simple ensemble music as well as acquire a basic understanding of chords and the ability to read music in the first position. 



Senior Guitar Group Lessons

For beginners ages 13 – 17


Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m.

Adult Guitar Group Lessons I & II

For beginners ages 18 and older

Friday evenings at 5 and 6 p.m.
Beginning classes will cover first position chords, reading rhythms and notes on a staff, basic strumming patterns and basic ensemble skills. Students will be introduced to a variety of styles and genres, including rock, blues and pop.  Students will use the book Contemporary Class Guitar by Will Schmid.

Intermediate and Advanced Guitar Group Lessons – classes will be arranged by varying levels depending on the student's prior experience. Times to be determined.

For additional information, contact Lisa Nelson, coordinator of the String Preparatory Department, by email at lnelson@iwu.edu or by phone at (309) 556-3547.

Contact: Katherine Filippo, ’12, (309) 556-3181 univcomm@iwu.edu