Benjamin Kunkel
Guitar lessons tailored to the needs of each student, designed to help you progress and reach your goals as a guitarist and musician.
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Benjamin Kunkel
Bachelors degree
Enroll after the free trial
Each lesson is 55 min
50 lessons
20% off
/ lesson
30 lessons
15% off
/ lesson
20 lessons
10% off
/ lesson
10 lessons
5% off
/ lesson
5 lessons
-
/ lesson
1 lessons
-
/ lesson
Benjamin - Know your guitar teacher
My name is Benjamin Kunkel, I am a professional classical guitarist and music educator. I hold a master’s and bachelor’s degree in guitar performance, and have over 15 years of teaching experience. I am an active solo and chamber musician, and have performed concerts across the United States, Europe and China. I have been a member of the acclaimed Minneapolis Guitar Quartet since 2014, with whom I have toured extensively, recorded a CD, and taught numerous workshops and masterclasses. I have performed in many other ensembles, including a guitar duo with my wife. While my specialty as a performer is classical guitar, I also have years of experience playing and teaching many other styles of music, including jazz, rock, blues, folk, and fingerstyle. As an educator, I have taught guitar and music at many schools, and am passionate about teaching students of all ages and abilities. So whether a complete beginner, or an experienced guitarist who wants to push your playing to the next level, I'm excited to work together!
Benjamin graduated from University of Minnesota
Your guitar teacher expertise
Music theory
Fingerstyle
Chords and Rhythms
Strumming and Picking Techniques
Guitar Techniques
Learner for guitar lessons
Guitar for beginners
Guitar for kids
Guitar for adults
Guitar for intermediate
Guitar for advanced
Guitar lessons quick guide
I offer engaging guitar lessons to students of all ages and ability levels. My lessons are focused on you, and I love finding the music and approach that works for each individual student, always in a relaxed and positive environment. I have taught students of all kinds, from young beginners to college students, aspiring professionals to older adults. My online teaching focuses on building sound technique and musicianship from the beginning, no matter what style of music you are interested in. I strongly believe that a good foundation is key to a student’s success, and I prioritize building good habits (and avoiding bad ones!) while applying them to music you’re excited about. Whatever your background and ability level, I approach our lessons with your goals in mind. I tailor my approach to your needs and interests, building confidence, creativity and fun!
Types of guitar lessons
Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Electric Guitar
Classical Guitar
Guitar concepts taught by Benjamin
The Student practiced pentatonic scales and chords, focusing on proper technique and finger placement. The Tutor provided guidance on guitar positioning, picking techniques, and chord transitions. The Student also began learning the intro riff to 'Whole Lotta Love' by Led Zeppelin and was assigned to continue practicing scales and chords.
Practical Application: Learning a Simple Lick
Bar Chords: Concept and Initial Exploration
Basic Chord Shapes and Fingerings
Guitar Positioning and Technique
Pentatonic Scale Fingerings
Alternating Picking Practice
The Student and Tutor analyzed a classical guitar piece to improve finger-style technique, focusing on right-hand fingering and position shifts. The Student practiced sections of the piece, receiving guidance on efficient fingerings and chord shapes. The Tutor will send chord charts to further assist with learning the piece.
Right-Hand Fingerstyle Technique (pima)
Efficient Left-Hand Positioning and Posture
Chunking and Sectional Practice
Strategic Use of Positions on the Fretboard
Chord Shape Recognition and Application
Alternating Bass Notes vs Melody
The Student and Tutor worked on guitar techniques, including rhythm, chord transitions, hammer-ons, and fingerpicking. The Student practiced a Green Day song and began learning the intro to a Chili Peppers song, focusing on specific technical skills. The Tutor recommended practicing the new techniques slowly and consistently, and messing around with a pentatonic scale.
Down-Up Strumming Consistency
Legato Playing
Shifting Hand Position
Hammer-Ons
Prioritizing the First Strum of a Chord
Fingerpicking Basics
The Student and Tutor worked on guitar techniques, including strumming patterns, chord changes, and finger placement. The student practiced strumming techniques for a Green Day song and started learning the A minor pentatonic scale. The student was assigned to practice the new strumming pattern, chord transitions, and the pentatonic scale, and will continue with the song and single-note playing in the next session.
Proper Finger Placement for Chord Accuracy
Resting Wrist for Single Note Playing
Introduction to the Minor Pentatonic Scale
Alternate G Chord Fingering
Separating Hands for Practice
Tied Notes and Rhythmic Subtleties
The session covered music theory concepts, including key signatures, chord construction, and progressions. The student analyzed songs to identify these elements and learned about borrowing chords to create more complex progressions. The tutor introduced movable chord shapes and discussed plans to explore minor keys in the next lesson, as well as incorporating more playing into future sessions.
Dominant Seventh Chords and Five-to-One Resolution
Movable Bar Chords and Chord Shapes
Chord Borrowing and Secondary Dominants
Building Chords: Root
Third
Fifth
Seventh
Chord Numbering and Major/Minor Pattern
The Tutor and Student worked on guitar fingering techniques for a specific song and discussed how to best approach the tab and determine optimal fingerings. The session then transitioned to a discussion of capos and their use in transposing music, as well as a review of music theory concepts related to chord construction and seventh chords. Next session will be rescheduled, and the Student was encouraged to practice the fingering techniques and explore the theory concepts discussed.
Fingering Strategies for Guitar Tabs
Capo Usage for Key Changes
Constructing Chords from Major Scales
Seventh Chords: Adding Complexity and Color
Learning tools used in guitar classes
Metronome Apps
PDF Sheet Music
Chord Diagram Apps
Guitar Tuner Apps
Engaging guitar lessons
Record lessons
Chat for quick help
Weekend lessons
Parent feedback
Note taking
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Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.
