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LESSONS

"Jacob is an amazing teacher!" -Maggie M. (student)

"We cannot recommend Jacob enough!" -Karen S. (parent of student)

"Have recommended to friends and family!" -Nick M. (parent of student)

Jacob Shipley is sitting on a stoop in Brooklyn holding an acoustic guitar and smiling.

As well as being a multi-instrumentalist and performer, I have been teaching all ages for a decade now. It is one of the great joys of my life.

 

As a longtime performer and forever student, I know how detrimental a strict teaching philosophy can be for a student’s development. Instead of following a specific method, I offer a holistic approach, taking pieces from different theories and adapting them to fit each student’s needs. Some lessons will focus on technique and exercises, others will be about songwriting and music theory, and some will simply be us jamming and reminding ourselves why we wanted to learn music in the first place. After each lesson, I also send a short video (or two) recapping what we went over for my students to reference during practice. 

 

At the beginning of our working together, we will chat about what you or your child's goals are as a student and musician. We will also talk about what styles of music you or your child enjoys and, in our first few lessons, I will begin developing a plan that best suits the person. When students want to learn songs by artists I don’t know, I immerse myself in their discography and mine their songs for pieces that will be exciting, challenging, and lead us towards the student’s “musical dream.” Every month or so I check in with my students, make sure that we are on the right path towards getting them what they want, and adjust accordingly. I am quite receptive to feedback and am flexible in making sure our lessons are working for you.

 

My students have performed in Broadway National Tours, at venues such as The Green Room 42, and have released their own music with my help. I would love to be a part of you or your child’s musical journey. 

 

If this sounds like a good fit or you simply have more questions, please contact me so we can schedule a time to chat.

Interested in working with Jacob?

FAQ
Which instruments do you teach?

I teach Guitar and Voice lessons to all ages.

Are you offering virtual lessons?

I offer virtual lessons at a discounted rate through Zoom and FaceTime.

Do you travel for lessons?

I teach in person all throughout New York City. I also have some students who come to my home in Greenpoint, BK. Students who travel to me pay the discounted virtual rate.

How long are lessons?

I offer 30, 45, and 60 minute lessons. I often start weekly students at 30 minutes and then expand if necessary or desired.

Do you do drop ins?

I do! Drop in students get added to a weekly mass text list announcing available times and can come and go as they like. Drop ins are the same rate, but I do encourage drop in students to take a 45 or 60min long session.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellations can be made up to 24 hours before our lesson time. If for some reason you cancel a session with less than 24 hours notice and we are able to reschedule for a time within the next two days, then we’re good. If rescheduling is not possible, then the lesson fee will be charged. 

Late Policy?

If you do not show up for a lesson within 10 minutes after the start time, the lesson is cancelled, but you are still responsible for the lesson fee. 

What is your rate?

My rates work on a sliding scale to facilitate providing lessons to students whom full price may be inaccessible. Credit to Worts and Cunning for the language.

Sliding Scale Tiers based on personal income:

 

Under 30K a year: (for those who struggle to meet basic needs and paying for this class would still be a significant hardship)

    Virtual:

    30min: 20         45min: 30         60min: 40

 

30-50K a year: (for those who are able to meet their basic needs but have little-to-no expendable income. Paying for this class may qualify as a sacrifice but it would not create hardship.)

    Virtual:

    30min: 30         45min: 40         60min: 50

 

50K-100K a year: (the actual price of my classes)

    Virtual:

    30min: 40         45min: 50         60min: 60

 

    In Person:

    30min: 55         45min: 65         60min: 75

 

100K and above (or above 200K household income): (pay it forward tier to help me offset costs for discounted tiers)

    Virtual:

    30min: 50         45min: 60         60min: 70

 

    In Person:

    30min: 65         45min: 75         60min: 85

Are private lessons right for me?
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