I was a “self-taught” guitarist for years. I wandered from teacher to teacher but never found anyone I felt comfortable with; they were all great players, but weren’t great teachers. I knew that I wanted to improve, but I wasn’t sure what I needed to do or how to find out. Having stacks of chord charts and scales shoved down my throat only overwhelmed me and drove me away. I felt hopeless and un-teachable. I started to believe that properly learning the guitar was just not for me.
Still dissatisfied with my abilities, I sought out a new instructor and found Mr. Sagebiel (eleventh times a charm!) Immediately upon meeting him, I knew he was the real deal. He was able to tell exactly what my abilities were within a few minutes of our first meeting and began to lead me on a path that has been giving me noticeable results every week. During his lessons, you get the sense that he knows exactly what needs to be done and why…the steps on the path are revealed incrementally so as not to overwhelm.
I’ve learned more about the elements of music and discipline in the past few weeks than I have in years of playing. For the first time in four years, I feel like I am progressing (it is quite a shock). Mr. Sagebiel is a true pedagogue and I feel blessed to have found a teacher and mentor who I can fully trust to guide me toward mastery and unity with my instrument. – Mike S., Kew Gardens, NY
Jason Sagebiel has been my teacher for over two years, and I have gained more from his lessons than any of my previous teachers. His focus on technique and musicality has given me a more complete understanding of the guitar. His clear and concise methods have prepared me to become a more confident performer and to teach students of my own. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a truly dedicated guitar teacher. – Sarah S., Student at Queens College
I have been taking classical guitar lessons with Jason for about 2 years. I find that his approach to teaching is both insightful and intuitive. Jason always strives to ensure that all the material is understood and is in constant search of effective ways to present his craft. I would say that during my time with him I have gained not only a better understanding of classical guitar technique, but a whole new approach to the way I understand, practice, and view music in general. – Diego A., Student at Queens College
Mr. Jason Sagebiel is a wonderful guitar teacher. He is patient, encouraging, and attentive. He is well-organized and capable of identifying the specific learning needs of the student. Mr. Sagebiel is able to motivate our daughter to improve her technique and tone quality. We are completely satisfied with him as our daughter’s guitar teacher. – Mindy & Mark W., Rego Park, NY
For a long time, I didn’t know how to read music and would just read tab to learn songs. It took me forever to get them down and I would get frustrated. I really wanted to learn how to play rock songs like Hotel California by the Eagles and the Day that Never Comes by Metallica. Miss Soller helped me plan the technique to get down by giving me pieces to practice in the Shearer book to help me learn my own songs. I learned finger-picking arpeggios first; we went over the music I wanted to learn and Miss Soller taught me all about how music theory could help me with the chord changes. It was so much easier to play the solos in Hotel California and The Day that Never Comes because I could control the right hand patterns and understand the harmony well enough to get the switches down. Now, I learn a lot more songs on my own, and I challenge myself with harder pieces because I know Sarah Soller’s method works. - Jamie M.
I was very fortunate to have found Forest Hills Music (now Artisound’s LIC Music School). It was exactly what I was looking for. I wanted world class guitar instruction but was not interested in enrolling full time in a University. I also found that many private instructors simply do not have the level of experience (performance, education and teaching) required to be an effective and efficient teacher. Jason, the founder of Forest Hills Music, has a tremendous amount of experience as both a performer and educator. He incorporates his own experience as a performer in several bands and as a conductor of the New York City Classical Guitar Orchestra into his teaching. He’s also one of only two guitar teachers in the country to have received The Music Teachers National Association’s highly rigorous teaching certification. He’s an amazing teacher and feel I’m finally on my way to becoming a good guitar player. If you are looking for the highest level guitar instruction Forest Hills Music is the place.- Dan F.
