Peter F.
Rochester, NY | May 2023
I used to brag to my friends about how lucky I was to have a music teacher who held a doctorate in music and played in jazz combos at cool clubs in places like Studio City, Claremont, and the O.C.
But the real reason I was lucky was that Dr. Seth Greenberg is such a good music teacher. Teaching is his vocation, and he easily meshes his academic and performance accomplishments with his teaching experience. Seth engages his students at their own levels. Then, the upward journey begins. He provides a study program matched to a student's aspirations. He is reassuring and encouraging. When a student is having a difficult time learning a particular piece of music, he teaches the student to stay focused, persevere, master the piece, and move on. He teaches students proper techniques and fingering that provide a foundation for building performance abilities. He's very easy going, but he also brings a sense an understanding that the study of music is a discipline. There's no pressure, but it kept me motivated to stay on track in my studies and practice. Goofing off may be fun, but class time is limited, so we stick to business. At the same time, Seth has a great sense of humor; we stick to business, but we also have a few laughs. I have studied with Seth for more than a year, and I feel a great sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when I look back at where I was when we began and how far we have progressed. I look forward to my continuing music studies with Seth and where I'll be musically in another year.
Christina U.
La Verne, CA | May 2019
Berenice S.
It was such a wonderful experience to be in his class. He is an amazing musician and a great teacher. He takes the time to help you if you have any questions and caters to your learning style. In other words, he explained things in a way that I felt I could understand. He is very, very knowledgeable in his craft, and he loves teaching others what he knows to help you be better. I also used to be very embarrassed to play in front of others, but he helped with this as well. Seth is very passionate and exceptionally good at what he does. I would recommend him to anyone!
Dan P.
Livermore, CA | June 2016
Harrisburg, PA | January 2012
I would absolutely recommend him as an excellent guitar instructor to anyone who either wants to learn guitar or simply sharpen their guitar playing.
Seth has been working with my 10-year-old daughter for just two months now, and she is already playing and singing one of her favorite songs - the entire song! Seth's personality blends very well with my daughter and ensures that she is not only learning what she needs but also is having a good time playing her guitar.
With my daughter, he uses two books: the regular method book, from which she has regular homework, and the other, an "easy guitar" songbook from the artist of her choice. While the method book works on individual notes, counting, and music theory, her select book is mostly chords and is teaching her strumming and chord changes.
Getting to play the songs that inspire her from the start makes practice time a breeze because she is getting to play the songs that she knows and loves; then, adding in the method portion is simple because she already has the guitar in her hands.
I had spent hours with her trying to get her to play a simple two-string chord, but was unsuccessful. After her first lesson with Seth, she was playing three full chords across all strings on the guitar. Seth is very patient and provides a very calming experience for his students that just seems to connect well.
Another observation is that the student prior to my daughter is an experienced guitar player sharpening his craft. He and I have had a chance to speak occasionally, and he is also gaining greatly from Seth's instruction - even with years of experience under his belt. So I see two students at opposite ends of the spectrum of experience, and he can dial his teaching method to each individually, providing the specific lessons that fit their needs.
Again, I would highly recommend Seth as a guitar instructor to anyone who wants to learn guitar or simply sharpen their craft.
Marc W.
Reviews
Dr. Seth Greenberg was exactly who we were looking for when searching for a knowledgeable guitar teacher. Our daughter has been taking guitar lessons from him for about a year and a half and has learned so much. Seth is very knowledgeable in many different types of music and kept our daughter interested and engaged. We chose to have her focus be on learning classical guitar, and Seth made it both challenging and fun. He was able to incorporate her favorite pop music and teach her how to play it classically. She was able to learn more than just basic chords but the fundamentals of how to read music and pick each note. I can't recommend Seth enough as a wonderful music instructor!
Temecula, CA | October 2015
Upland, CA | January 2012
If you are reading this, then I assume you are searching for a guitar teacher...so let me put it succinctly: your search is over. Seth is that RARE combination of studied musicians who can not only play beautifully but are masters at teaching their acquired knowledge and ability. He's patient, engaging, and truly takes an interest in your development and growth. He puts emphasis on not just learning the technical aspects of playing but ensuring that your playing is 'musical'. I've had a few guitar teachers and can state without qualification that Seth is exceptional.
He can teach and play any genre with comparative ease and adjusts his teaching style and speed according to the student's progression, and he's attuned to each of his student's strengths and weaknesses...e.g., "your thumb is too high up on the neck.. slide it down so it's in the middle which will allow your fingers to reach and fret the notes with greater freedom."
If you want to learn to play, Seth is your teacher. A beautiful guitar player and a masterful teacher. I promise you will not be disappointed, but instead wondering why you didn't discover him years ago!
Michael M.
I began taking lessons from Seth a few months ago and couldn't be happier with what I have been able to learn in such a short amount of time. Seth doesn't try to push anything on you as a student. Instead, he asks you what you would like to learn and then goes from there. He is also extremely understanding about life circumstances and will do his best to reschedule any missed appointments. I look forward to continuing my lessons and seeing how much I can improve as a guitar player.
Richard H.
Upland, CA | July 2012
Seth is a wonderful teacher with a great deal to offer beginners and experienced players alike. I fall into the latter category, and Seth really helped me break through to a level of playing that I would have never believed was within my reach. I even sent my daughter to him, and she is a trombonist! His approach to improvisation is not limited to guitar. Seth's studio is conveniently located in a lovely Claremont neighborhood with plenty of parking. He is reasonably priced and can accommodate those with demanding schedules (like mine). I highly recommend him to all aspiring or accomplished guitarists or anyone interested in jazz improvisation.