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
Guitar for beginners
Guitar Techniques
Chords and Rhythms
Fingerstyle
Strumming and Picking Techniques
Learner for guitar lessons
Guitar for advanced
Guitar for adults
Guitar for intermediate
Guitar for beginners
Guitar for kids
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
Flexible Scheduling
Allows 1h early scheduling
Allows 1h early rescheduling
Can wait for 20 mins after joining
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10 day Refund
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Free Tutor Swap
Guitar concepts taught by Benjamin
The tutor and student worked on guitar technique, addressing scale practice and a buzzing issue. They then focused on learning a specific strumming pattern and applying it to the chord progression of "Good Riddance" by Green Day, with plans to incorporate this into playing the song.
Chord Voicings and Variations
Guitar Picking Technique: Down-Up Strokes
Strumming Pattern Development
Guitar String Buzzing and Fret Issues
Guitar Hand & Wrist Anchoring
The Student and Tutor discussed the application of the CAGED system to scales and modes on the guitar, focusing on understanding its core principles beyond chord shapes. They explored strategies for improving improvisation, including learning solos, developing melodic phrasing, and utilizing ear training. The tutor recommended simplifying practice by focusing on parent scales and developing musical ideas through transcription and targeted exercises.
The CAGED System's Core Idea: Octaves
Not Chords
Modal Practice: Connecting Scales to Chords
Developing Improvisational Fluency: Beyond Shapes
The student and tutor explored the CAGED system in guitar, focusing on how open chord shapes relate to scale patterns and octave positions on the fretboard. They discussed the practical application and potential confusion of the system's naming conventions, with plans to practice identifying octave shapes and their root relationships.
Connecting Scales to CAGED Shapes
The Five CAGED Chord Shapes
Root Note Relationships in Scale Shapes
Octave Shapes and Relationships
The CAGED System
The session focused on guitar technique, specifically alternating finger strumming and its application to scales and improvisation. The student practiced scales with an emphasis on finger alternation and string crossing techniques. The tutor provided exercises and resources for practicing movable pentatonic scales for soloing and improvisation, along with identifying root notes.
Alternating Finger Strumming Technique
String Crossing Considerations
Scale Practice for Alternating Fingers
Scale Shape: Pentatonic Root Notes
Guitar Theory: Major and Minor scales
The session focused on guitar techniques, including improvisation using scales and backing tracks, strumming patterns for a Green Day song, and fingerstyle playing for a Chili Pepper song. The student received specific feedback on hand positioning, legato, and rhythmic accuracy. A new riff from a Nirvana song was introduced to further develop single-note playing skills.
Thumb Position and Tension
Legato Technique
Improvisation Strategies
Chord Switching Techniques
Finger Independence and Dexterity
The Student reviewed arpeggio connections, diminished scales, and altered scales. Exercises for improvising over chord changes using guide tones, voice leading, and string limiting were introduced. The Student was assigned to practice chord shape exercises and arpeggio drills in 2-5-1 progressions and review a tune for finding chord roots and building shapes.
Chord Shape Relationships & Voice Leading
2-5-1 Progression Exercises
Improvisation with Limited Resources
Diminished and Altered Scales
Transcribing and Ear Training
Learning tools used in guitar classes
PDF Sheet Music
Metronome Apps
Guitar Tuner Apps
Chord Diagram Apps
Engaging guitar lessons
Chat for quick help
Weekend lessons
Open Q&A
Record lessons
Note taking
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