Dave Krater - Guitar Instructor - Ages 6 and up.

 

About Me

 

Passion is the one word that would describe me. I love playing, teaching and listening to music. I not only like learning the songs but finding out all the information regarding that song or album, how it was recorded, what guitars, amps and effects were used, and how many takes it took to record it. Needless to say I am full of useful music information.

 

I started out taking classical piano lessons at age 6 which was a great music education but ranked about 1 on the cool factor with my friends. In 1980 I saw the movie "The Song Remains The Same" featuring Led Zeppelin (I am a huge Led Zeppelin fan and can play every Led Zeppelin song) and I was hooked. I saved my lawn mowing money and purchased a Yamaha acoustic guitar for $125, a guitar that I still own to this day, quit piano and set out to be the next great guitarist.

 

"Dave is a wonderful instructor for all levels and ages. My 11 year old son and my husband both are students and are both challenged, motivated and enthused each week! Dave gave my son great performance tips when his band was playing in a talent show. We have referred Dave to may friends and will continue to do so!" - Robin M.

 

Up until 1989 I was a self taught, spending hours hunched over my record player trying to learn all the great songs and licks by Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and Cream, Beatles, Rush, Yes, Pink Floyd, Van Halen and more. Realizing I needed to broaden my musical horizons and having dreams of becoming a studio guitarist I moved to California and attended Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. What an eye opener! I realized that there was a vast world of music and guitar playing that I hadn't gotten into yet and set out to learn everything possible. After a year I earned a certificate of completion in the Musician's Institute's guitar program and started my career in teaching.

 

"Dave is a remarkable musician as well as an outstanding teacher. Prior to working with Dave, I went through three different guitar teachers who really didn't take me anywhere skill-wise. Dave immediately assessed where I was at and tailored his lessons to my skills and interests. Dave has such a range of styles under his belt from blues, country, folk, classical, pop, punk, metal, funk and rock - this really gives students flexibility with what styles they can explore.  Each week working with Dave brings something new and I've grown tremendously as a player as a result of working with him. I highly recommend him and will have both of my sons taking up lessons with Dave when they are old enough to play." - Nick M.

 

I moved back to Illinois in 1992 and formed a rock band called Inner Sanctum. We released two CDs, toured all across North America, opening for Michael Schenker, Vince Neil, Big Wreck, Jackyl and Filter and was voted in 1996 as one of the best unsigned acts by Musicians Magazine.

 

"I have been taking guitar lessons with Dave for the past 6 months. I have learned a ton of stuff. I started playing guitar 3 years ago and have had 3 different teachers and they where all good, except Dave has taking me to the next level and he is a very easy going guy and explains everything to you." - Rick V

 

In 2001 I started teaching at The Music Gallery Academy and in 2004 started teaching full time here at The Academy.

 

"I need to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a teacher that listens to my needs and frustration about becoming a better guitar player.Your passion for teaching shows every time I have a lesson with you. Your kind and patient way of teaching has made me a far better player in a very short time. I have had many other teachers that wanted to teach me what they want to play, not what I want to play. Your instructions are always clear and understanding. Thank you so much for listening so closely. I'm glad I have come to know you over the years." - Tom B.

 

I have appeared and performed on television on WGN's Channel 9 news program "Around Town", the WGN Channel 9 Mid-day news with Steve Sanders, CBS Channel 2 program "Technogadgets" and ABC 7's news program "The Best of Chicago Shopping".

 

I have also been a contestant in Guitar Center's King of The Blues Contest, Sam Ash Best In Shred Contest, Guitar Player Magazines Best Unknown Guitarist Contest and Guitar World Magazine Shred The Web Contest.

 

My influences are Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Eric Johnson, David Gilmour, Billy Gibbons, Brad Paisley, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Steve Howe, Chet Atkins, Tommy Emmanuel, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Eddie Van Halen and Alex Lifeson just to name a few!

 

I teach Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

 

Why Choose Me As Your Teacher?

1. I teach ages 6 years old and up. Beginners to advanced players.

2. I teach you what you want to learn.

3. All I do is teach guitar and have been doing so full time for the last seven years and I have over twenty years of teaching experience altogether.

4. I have experience teaching all ages, from 6 years old and up and have developed programs and methods to teach all ages.

5. I can teach rock, blues, country, and finger style.

6. I use a great computer program that allows me to slow down the song up to half speed. This allows the student to work on the song at a managable speed and then speed it up incrementally to full speed. Plus I can save the file as an MP3 and either send it to you via e-mail or put it on the students flash drive.

7. My studio is equipped with a computer, printer, and internet access. I can print off or find any information in minutes allowing me to spend most of the time teaching. No more waiting 15 to 20 minutes for the teacher to hand write out all the information only leaving 10 minutes of actual teaching.

 

 

 

Call 847-432-6350 now to schedule your lesson or E-Mail Me for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are ready to start, you have nothing to lose as we only want students

who truly want to be here and we will not commit you to a long term contract.

 

Lessons are first come, first serve so contact us today to arrange your first lesson!

 

Phone: 847-432-6350

 

2558 Green Bay Rd

Highland Park, IL 60035

 

Offering quality guitar, bass and drum lessons in Highland Park, IL

 

$35.00 for 30 minute private lesson held once a week.

Perfect for beginners, both kids and adults

 

$70.00 for 1 hour private lesson held once a week.

Recommend for the serious student.

 

All fees must be paid by pre-authorized credit cards or auto draft.