Ages 10 and up, you don't need any musical background to get started. I will take you from the very beginnings on guitar with an excellent curriculum that is based on where you want to go on the guitar. I make it fun for all ages!
I spent my first 15 years on guitar with NO formal training and I KNOW what it's like to not have a solid structure or guidance on the guitar. I'm here to teach the experienced players advanced rhythm techniques, fingerstyle, soloing, scales, open tunings, modal theory, composing songs, improvisation, ear training... Wait a minute! This list goes on and on - we have lots of stuff for you to work on!
No matter what your goals are, I am here to help you achieve your dreams on guitar! We have open jams here in my studio for my students to see and feel how it is to interact with other players. Some students are learning songwriting techniques, while others are creating their own CD's right here in my studio! (Well, MP3's these days, but I still burn CD's if need be!) while others want a "backup band" so we're able to do guitaraoke right here! I have embraced technology through the years to help the students progress on the guitar, while not only making things more interesting, but it's actually fun! At the same time we also go "old school" and you get amazing ear training here too.
I have been playing guitar for over 40 years now, but I'm STILL learning, whether it be Ed Sheeran or some classic Zeppelin, I can't get enough of guitar! I have been teaching in Tampa for over 25 years and the libraries of teaching materials I have developed are not only amazing, but they are unparalleled. I am not the one who will make the phone call to get you started! You will have to make the call and you can start an amazing journey on this instrument called the guitar if you start right now!
Our son, Dominic has only been in lessons with Virgil for 5 months, but we are amazed at his progress. He was self taught and now has a great understanding of reading music (Guitar Tablature), and all basic fundamentals of playing guitar. Virgil has inspired Dominic to not only play the guitar, but to KNOW HOW TO PLAY. We are thrilled to have found a teacher who is so passionate about music and so patient with his students.
Sincerely, Tony and Michelle Bonaventura
After more years than I want to admit, almost 20, it took only two lessons/sessions with Virgil and my playing advanced in a couple of weeks more than it had in a couple of decades. He makes things fun and has great ways of learning and understanding the guitar. You will be jamming by the end of your first lesson. You'll be playing a song in multiple ways (improvising) by your third, and all of a sudden he will say are you ready to solo and all the tricks, technique, and theory, then suddenly makes sense and your like bamm guitar solo!
Hmmmm…..I think I’ll go play guitar now.
Kevin Olsen
I've been playing guitar for 3 years. The first 2 were spent searching the internet for lessons. Then my wife gave me a gift certificate for lessons with Virgil (Thanks honey, but was I really that bad?)
When I started with Virgil, I knew a few scales but I didn't know what to do with them. After only a few lessons, I was connecting them together, bending strings and on my way to learning a complete song, including the solo. There is no better way to learn than having someone knowledgeable watch you play. Virgil will tailor the lesson to the music you enjoy. When I walk into his studio, he is hanging up the acoustic guitar from a previous lesson and cranking up the distortion. Virgil always has a custom lesson prepared for me & is quick to respond to questions after the lesson via email. I am glad my wife introduced me to Virgil. I think she is thrilled that the “noise” has turned into “music”.
Hmmmm…..I think I’ll go play guitar now.
Chris Smith
I strongly recommend Virgil if you are serious about growing as a guitar player. Virgil’s approach to guitar lessons blends understanding the fretboard roadmap, scale theory, discipline and development of individual style in your favorite genre. His lessons are well organized with excellent supplemental materials and backtracks. Look no more - Virgil is your man.
Mark Callison
Virgil Mandanici has been teaching guitar lessons to my son Santosh Tirumala for the past 1 year and under his guidance my son has made remarkable progress. Virgil is not only a great teacher but also knows how to motivate his students based on each individual students skill level, character, strengths and weaknesses. Santosh has benefited greatly from his guidance, expertise and experience. Virgil is very meticulous and made sure that Santosh learns his basic guitar skills well so that it will serve him well in the long run.I have personally seen Santosh change from being unsure of his guitar skills to being very confident and playing well at home during his leisure after his hectic school work. I would definitely recommend Virgil as a guitar teacher to all who are considering him and would not hesitate to refer him to my friends and family.
Ramesh Tirumala
I've played the guitar on and off for about thirty years. Last year I realized I'd been stuck in a rut most of that time with no focus and progression, so I started looking for a guitar teacher to get me over the hump. I found the perfect guy in Virgil. He's opened me up to seeing the fret board in different ways, and he's great at helping you build on your strengths and weaknesses. I like studying with someone with diverse musical tastes in rock, blues and pop, and he's an all around good dude to learn from (and be sure to friend him on Facebook if you want a daily laugh). I give him my highest recommendation for beginners, intermediates and advanced players alike. I haven't enjoyed playing guitar this much since Bill Clinton was president. My only regret is I didn't call him sooner.
Doug Knox
My guitar lessons with Virgil were amazing. His guidance and attention to detail helped me fully realize my own potential. On top of his excellent abilities as a teacher , Virgil is an awesome guy to be around.
Roberto Agosto
Mr. Mandanici is my sensei. Outstanding guitar teacher and a great person overall. His methods of teaching the basics of guitar playing are methodical and easy to understand for a beginner like me. Provides very good handouts for the lessons learned. Tunes my guitar before every lesson. Those 30 minute lessons are well spent, no wasted time.
Ivan Vazquez
Virgil is the most heart-felt music teacher I've had the pleasure to study with. His lessons are individually tailored to suit his student's goals, and he maintains the exact amount of decorum and detail-focus during the lessons--while always encouraging practice in a way that doesn't feel overbearing. Fantastic experience. Whether you've never held a guitar, or if you've been in a band for years, Virgil can help you reach whatever your goals are. He's truly one of the greats.
David Moye
So having never played a musical instrument, I decided that it was time to try something new. Always wanted to try the electric guitar, and found Virgil online. I have been taking lessons with Virgil now for over 6 months, and I can honestly say that I am excited about my progress and look forward to every lesson (unless I haven't practiced, of course). Virgil makes it fun, interesting and entertaining. Every lesson is a new skill, technique or theory that I can practice or apply. I have built a strong base and look forward to where I go next on guitar. He has a great sense of humor and at the same time pushes me to work harder and get better. He always gives me enough to practice at home so things don't get boring or routine. I am so grateful for finding such an awesome teacher.
Rick Cunningham
I never thought I would be able to learn how to play the guitar in my late twenties but since starting lessons with Virgil, I have! I have been taking lessons with Virgil for a year and a half and since the beginning, Virgil has been a wonderful teacher. I'm amazed at the songs I've been able to learn and the level I am in now. He's very accommodating with the type of music you want to learn and very helpful in enabling you to perfect your form and sound when learning a song. I would recommend his classes to everyone!
Katerina Smith
I took lessons from Virgil for about a year to brush up on my acoustic skill set. Virgil is an awesome teacher! He is very professional and organized. I learned an array of acoustic techniques, chords and scales. His wealth of musical knowledge is second to none!
Brad Baranowski