The Midwest's Premier Guitar Instruction Service!
Over 10,000 satisfied students taught since 1979!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are the lessons private one-on-one or are they taught in groups?
A. Eric offers private one-on-one lessons, time share lessons and group lessons.

Q. What days and times does Eric teach during the week?
A. Eric teaches Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. — 9:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Q. How much does Eric charge for lessons?
A. It all depends if your're taking private one-on-one lessons, time share lessons or group lessons. Please refer to the hours / prices page
for detials on this.

Q. How do I pay for lessons?
A. When you sign up for lessons you're always buying a block of four one-hour  lessons at a time. Eric does this for several reasons: A. People would rather make one payment every four weeks, than pay every week. B. It psychologically creates more of a commitment for the student knowing  that they have paid in advance — they are less likely to cancel. C. By paying every four weeks the student reserves and secures   that time slot each week.

Q. What levels does Eric teach?
A. ALL levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Highly Advanced, Pro, even other guitar instructors, etc.

Q. What kind of guitar can I learn to play?
A. Eric can teach you to play electric, acoustic, classical, and bass.

Q. What styles of music can I learn?
A. Just about anything you like. See the Styles and Techniques page and Eric'sStudio and Services for acomplete listing of everything you can learn.

Q. How often does Eric expect his students to practice?
A. For all levels Eric anticipates a minimum of 30-60 minutes a day. Eric would like to see all his students practice 2 or more hours each day.

Q. How long does Eric recommend taking lessons for?
A. The average student stays with Eric for 8 months but it depends on how serious the student is and how devoted he or she is. Eric has had students who have stayed with him for several years! Eric highly advises students to stay for a minimum of 4-6 months to get the foundation that they need.

Q. What is Eric's make-up lesson policy?
A. Eric needs a 24-hour notice if someone has to cancel a lesson. Eric will always give a student a make-up lesson providing that they call to cancel the lesson.

Q. How long has Eric been playing and teaching guitar?
A. Eric started playing guitar in 1973 and began teaching in 1979.

Q. How many students has Eric taught?
A. Eric has taught well over 3,500 students since 1979.  Please keep in mind that Eric taught out of a Music store for many years and has also taught many people via clinics and group classes, as well as one-on-one instruction. 3,500+ students in 24 years is not that many students if you really think about it, we're talking over 2 decades here.

Q. How many students does Eric teach per week?
A. Eric normally teaches around 50-75 students per week all year round and has taught as many as 100 students in one week. Many of Eric's students come every two weeks for a 90 minute lesson because they may have to travel an hour or two for the lesson. Eric generally has a waiting list with over 20 people on it! 

Q. What styles of music does Eric teach?
A. Eric plays and teaches all styles of music.

Q. Does Eric have a preference for any particular style of music?
A. Eric loves all styles of music equally and has no particular favorite.

Q. How many hours does Eric practice per day?
A. Eric tries to practice at least one to two hours a day depending on his teaching schedule. When Eric was much, much younger he used to practice as much as 5 to 8 hours a day!

Q. What is Eric's musical education background?
A. Eric has studied with private teachers in all styles of music since1975. Eric is constantly learning new things and has self taught himself via instructional books, videos, transcribing other peoples music, etc. In 1980, 83, 84, 85 Eric attended Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, Illinois where he studied Music Theory, Piano, Violin, Classical guitar and was in the choir. But Eric believes that any amount of education does not necessarily translate into being a good teacher — teaching is an art form — and Eric has exceptional communication and organizational skills, delivery, and passion.

Q. Does Eric study with anyone right now?
A. Eric is presently getting a much deeper understanding of Jazz music, getting together with very serious Jazz musicians. His philosophy is that you can ALWAYS learn something NEW from someone else regardless of their level or age. So Eric is constantly learning and remains a student of the guitar.

Q. Is it true that Eric's teaching service is very accelerated?
A. YES! Four one-hour lessons with Eric Mantel is equal 12 to 18 months of lessons at a local music stroe. With his concentrated lesson approach, you will learn 100 times faster than if you tool lessons at a local Music store or at a private guitar teaching studio!