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.
Show all photos
Benjamin Kunkel
Bachelors degree
/ 55 min
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
Guitar for beginners
Guitar Techniques
Chords and Rhythms
Strumming and Picking Techniques
CoTutorAI modules
Summary
Podcast
Quiz
Learnings
Flashcard
Spotlight
Zero Risk Guaranteed
15-days refund
Free tutor swap
No cancel fee
1-yr validity
24/7 support
Learner for guitar lessons
Guitar for intermediate
Guitar for kids
Guitar for adults
Guitar for beginners
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 tutor and student reviewed advanced guitar techniques, focusing on producing clear harmonics, exploring alternative tunings, and employing efficient fingering strategies. They practiced transitioning between chords and discussed the benefits of slow, deliberate practice for improving musicality and accuracy. The student plans to continue practicing and will resume lessons after a break.
Guitar String Harmonics Physics
Fretting Positions and Chord Voicings
Altered Guitar Tunings and Their Impact
Guitar Harmonics Technique
The Student and Tutor reviewed music theory, focusing on chord construction, triads, and how to build major and minor chords by stacking thirds. They practiced identifying chord notes and applying these concepts to the guitar, including learning movable bar chord shapes. The next session is planned to discuss seventh chords.
Movable Chord Shapes on Guitar
Key Identification and Scale Application for Improvisation
Triads: The Building Blocks of Chords
The student and tutor worked on refining guitar playing technique for a specific song, focusing on advanced fingering for chord transitions, efficient fingerpicking patterns, and accurate execution of musical phrases. They also reviewed repeat notations, discussed the use of hammer-ons and pull-offs, and introduced harmonics as an advanced technique for the song's outro.
Hammer-ons and Pull-offs: Ornaments in Fingerpicking
Harmonics: Creating Bell-Like Tones on Guitar
Efficient Fingering and Chord Transitions
Understanding Repeat Symbols in Music Notation
The Student and Tutor refined advanced fingerpicking techniques for the song "Landslide," focusing on smoother chord transitions and sustaining notes. They also introduced and began learning a new fingerpicking song, "Scarborough Fair," with the Tutor demonstrating the basic right-hand pattern and initial chord shapes. The Student is to practice the new song for their next session.
Refining Guitar Performance & Smooth Transitions
The Power of Deliberate Slow Practice
Optimizing Finger Dexterity and Avoiding Limiting Habits
The Effectiveness of Consistent
Focused Practice
Introduction to 'Scarborough Fair': 6/8 Fingerpicking Pattern
Navigating Guitar Learning Resources and Notation
The Student and Tutor explored music theory concepts relevant to guitar improvisation, focusing on major and minor scales and their construction. They discussed scale shapes on the fretboard and the relationship between major, minor, and pentatonic scales, with the Student encouraged to practice specific scale shapes to improve their improvisational abilities.
The Major Scale Construction
Guitar Scale Shapes and Movability
Minor Scales and Their Relation to Major Scales
Pentatonic Scales: Simplicity and Versatility
The Student and Tutor reviewed strategies for maintaining guitar skills, focusing on practicing bar chords and movable chord shapes. They discussed various technical exercises such as scales, legato, hammer-ons, and pull-offs, and the Tutor provided guidance on applying these techniques. The session concluded with planning for flexible future lessons, with the Tutor offering to send practice materials.
Applying Theory to Songwriting and Improvisation
Scales and Technique Development
Movable Chord Shapes and Root Notes
Bar Chords: The Foundation
Learning tools used in guitar classes
Guitar Tuner Apps
Metronome Apps
Chord Diagram Apps
PDF Sheet Music
Engaging guitar lessons
Open Q&A
Pets are welcomed
Note taking
Mobile joining
Parent feedback
Guitar teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.