People in Newton, MA who love guitars

RGS Staff (L-R): Donna Lomp, Alan Siu, Rob Compagna, Stephanie Lederman, Joey Orduna (missing: Jake Hallett, Cole Bigonet, Finn McGillivray, Sam Marvin, Justin Spicer).

Check out our latest News!

4th of July Performance led by Liam Flinn! 

Rob's Guitar School Teacher Coordinator Liam Flinn did a great job organizing a wonderful performance on the 4th with students Shiamak Acharji and Kevin McNamara. Kevin did a great job singing and Shiamak tore it up with some awesome blues licks! Remember to keep you eyes peeled for more gigging opportunities in the future!

If you or anyone else you know is interested in taking lessons from us, click here to setup a free trial lesson!

Here are more photos of Kevin and Shiamak in this great event:

Brian Tiernan Electric Guitar Clinic- 12/11/21 

Love the guitar and want to learn more? Stuck in a rut with your guitar-playing and need a path to move forward? Just beginning to play and want to hear what is possible? 

Join Brian Tiernan on Saturday, 12/11 for an enlightening clinic. Brian will perform selections from his latest CD titled “Eclectic Electric” and discusses various techniques of guitar playing as applied to Jazz, Blues, Rockabilly, and Classical music including: 

· Chord melody - how to move from single note playing to constructing true 
chord/melody guitar solos 
· Fingerstyle technique - learning independent use of thumb and fingers 
· Flat pick vs. finger picking 
· Getting the most out of six strings 
· Choosing a guitar tone that suits the song 
· The use of guitar effects 
· Songwriting and arrangement 
· The music business 
· Dealing with performance anxiety 
· Mental and physical benefits of guitar study 

This clinic is intended for intermediate and advanced players, however beginners are absolutely welcome! Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss. 

REGISTRATION 
Go here to register and pay: https://withribbon.com/s/398254 
Admission is $20/person. Registration is open until Thur, 12/9 at 12:00pm. 

ABOUT BRIAN TIERNAN 
Brian has been a professional guitarist for over 40 years. He has played in the bands of blues greats Johnny Winter and Otis Rush. On the other end of the musical spectrum, Brian played guitar with Debby Boone (You Light Up My Life), Barry Williams (of The Brady Bunch), and the Lawrence Welk Orchestra. He was the guitarist in the orchestras for Man of La Mancha, Hair, and Legends in Concert. Additionally, Brian appeared as an actor and musician in the Broadway show “Buddy, The Buddy Holly Story”. He has studied with guitar greats Les Paul, Bucky Pizzarelli (the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson), and Ted Dunbar (Dizzy Gillespie).

Learn All of the Guitar Care Basics with Sam Marvin! 

Guitar Care Basics is a workshop designed to give you the proper techniques for restringing your guitar, adjusting playability, and tips and tricks for better overall guitar performance. 

Topics covered include restringing techniques, truss rod adjustment, intonation adjustment, tremolo adjustment, troubleshooting common problems, pick-up theory, and switching string gauge. We will also discuss the best way to keep your guitar in playing shape through the transitional seasons of year, as well as the main differences between caring for acoustics and electrics. 

The workshop centers on a hand's-on, live demonstration of the above mentioned topics on a Mini-Squire Stratocaster. It is in average playing condition as is, but will transform to something worth learning on by the end of our time together. 

If you have ever been dissatisfied with the performance of your guitar, whether it is brand new out-of-the-box, an old battleaxe, or a great used find, this is the workshop for you! Students are encouraged to bring any guitar that they think could play better for discussion purposes, and to come with questions. 

This workshop is recommended for anyone that is curious about how to better care for their instrument, from young beginners to old pros. Students under 10 years of age should have a parent present. 

REGISTER & PAY HERE: https://forms.gle/JANhebnDRcNuchkA7 

Workshop Details: 
When: Sat, 8/17, 1:30-3:00pm 
Who: All ages and skill levels 
Where: RGS Newton (48 Chandler Pl, Newton Upper Falls) 
Max: 8 people 
Taught by: Sam Marvin, RGS teacher and guitar technician 

REGULAR ADMISSION: $40 
EARLY BIRD: $30 when you register before 5pm on 8/10 
STUDENTS: $20 when you register before 5pm on 8/16 

Registration: 
Registration will be open until 5pm on Friday, 8/16/19. Please be sure to register and pay in advance in order to secure your spot. If you do not register in advance and show up day-of we cannot guarantee there will be room. Day-of admission is $40. 

To apply the early bird or student discount: simply put in the corresponding amount when you navigate to the payment link at the end of the registration form. 

REGISTER & PAY HERE: https://forms.gle/JANhebnDRcNuchkA7 

About Sam Marvin: 
An active musician for the past 17 years, Sam has been teaching Guitar and Music Theory privately for the past 6 years. After earning a Masters Degree in Ethnomusicology from the University of Chicago, Sam moved to Colorado to teach and manage a small music shop, Jensen Guitar Company. Over those 5 years in Colorado, Sam honed his craft and further cultivated his passion for teaching and learning. Sam has performed for many years as a solo guitarist (acoustic and electric) in all styles, as well as a lead guitarist for a variety of bands in different styles from Jam to Jazz to Indie and more. Sam has an in-depth knowledge of Music Theory and Improvisation (The focuses of his BA in Music from Boston College, along with Composition) as they relate to guitar and harmonic analysis. We are privileged to have Sam at our school as a teacher as well as our in-house guitar tech!

RGS at Newton Farmers Market! 

We recently had the pleasure of providing musical entertainment for the Newton Farmers Market on Tuesday, 7/30. Rob and RGS instructor, Cole, played alongside RGS ukulele student, Charlie Stein. Thanks Charlie for coming out and doing an awesome job! 

Sad you missed it? Don't worry! You can catch us at a few more of the Tuesday markets coming up in August. Stop by and say hello after you pick up your veggies!

We're bringing The Music of the Spheres to Newton! 

REGISTER + PAY HERE

Jake is bringing this intriguing workshop from Groton to Newton! In this month's "Music of the Spheres" workshop, Jake intends to enchant your mind with the simple yet complex similarities between geometry and music. The Universe speaks one language, and that is mathematics. What better way to enjoy the rules of mathematics than the real time experience of music? 

Jake has searched high and low for every piece of information he can find from ancient and contemporary sources. This includes the fairly recent illumination of facts from Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic, and Rosicrucian philosophy. The results of his research have filled his thoughts with incredible veneration for the harmony in our Universe (One-Verse). 

Jake's hope is to assist you in seeing the correlation between sound, color, mathematics, the human body, and the stars. Come join him as we discuss and discover these beautiful rules on our guitars! 

REGISTER + PAY HERE 

In this discussion-style workshop, we will: 
-- Learn the origin of notes, cords and scales 
-- Discuss 440hz vs 432hz tuning and dispel some common misconceptions 
-- Learn how to hear pitch colours 
-- And more! 

Workshop Details: 
When: Sat, 7/13, 1:00-2:30pm 
Who: Teens & Adults (Ages 13+) 
Where: RGS Newton (48 Chandler Pl, Newton Upper Falls) 
Max: 8 people 
Taught by: Jake Hallett of Rob's Guitar School 
Please bring your guitar 

REGULAR ADMISSION: $40 
EARLY BIRD: $30 when you register before 5pm on 7/6 
STUDENTS: $20 when you register before 5pm on 7/12 

Registration: 
Registration will be open until 5pm on Friday, 7/12/19. Please be sure to register and pay in advance in order to secure your spot. If you do not register in advance and show up day-of we cannot guarantee there will be room. Day-of admission is $40. 

REGISTER + PAY HERE

To apply the early bird or student discount: simply put in the corresponding amount when you navigate to the payment link at the end of the registration form. 

About Instructor Jake Hallett: 
Jake Hallett is an instructor at our Rob's Guitar School location in Groton. Jake has a Master Certificate from Berklee College of Music in Guitar and Songwriting. He has been playing guitar for over 15 years and has been teaching since 2010. Aside from teaching, Jake is also an accomplished studio musician. He has done TV spots for Hammerhead Guitar Picks on VH1, and composition for multiple indie video games by Smashplug Games. 

REGISTER + PAY HERE

Musical Happenings This Weekend! 

Gary Backstrom's Road to Utopia
Our good friend and accomplished Boston area musician, Gary Backstrom, will be performing at the Regent Theatre in Arlington this Friday. Come support this Alzheimer's benefit and enjoy a Todd Rundgren tribute at the same time!

Cape Cod Rockin' Radio Comedy Night
One of our awesome guitar students, Sandi Summers, will be performing stand-up on the Cape this Saturday. Come laugh until you cry!

Finest Hour @ Pleasant Cafe
Our very own Jake Hallett will be performing with his band at Pleasant Cafe in Maynard this Saturday. Come show him some love and have a good ol' time!

Point Sebago Reggae Festival
If you happen to be traveling up north this weekend, check out Andres Wilson at this reggae fest in Maine!

The Music of the Spheres: A Workshop Event with Jake Hallett 

In this month's "Music of the Spheres" workshop, Jake intends to enchant your mind with the simple yet complex similarities between geometry and music. The Universe speaks one language, and that is mathematics. What better way to enjoy the rules of mathematics than the real time experience of music? 

Jake has searched high and low for every piece of information he can find from ancient and contemporary sources. This includes the fairly recent illumination of facts from Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic, and Rosicrucian philosophy. The results of his research have filled his thoughts with incredible veneration for the harmony in our Universe (One-Verse). 

Jake's hope is to assist you in seeing the correlation between sound, color, mathematics, the human body, and the stars. Come join him on June 29th from 10:30am to noon as we discuss and discover these beautiful rules on our guitars! 

In this discussion-style workshop, we will:
-- Learn the origin of notes, cords and scales
-- Discuss 440hz vs 432hz tuning and dispel some common misconceptions
-- Learn how to hear pitch colours
-- And more!

Workshop Details: 
When: Sat, 6/29, 10:30am-12:00pm 
Who: Teens & Adults (Ages 13+) 
Where: RGS Groton (Groton Grange, 80 Champney St in Groton) 
Max: 8 people 
Taught by: Jake Hallett of Rob's Guitar School 

REGISTER & PAY HERE

REGULAR ADMISSION: $40 
EARLY BIRD: $30 when you register before 5pm on 6/22 
STUDENTS: $20 when you register before 5pm on 6/28 

Registration: 
Registration will be open until 5pm on Friday, 6/28/19. Please be sure to register and pay in advance in order to secure your spot. If you do not register in advance and show up day-of we cannot guarantee there will be room. Day-of admission is $40. 

To apply the early bird or student discount: simply put in the corresponding amount when you navigate to the payment link at the end of the registration form. 

REGISTER & PAY HERE

About Instructor Jake Hallett: 
Jake Hallett is an instructor at our Rob's Guitar School location in Groton. Jake has a Master Certificate from Berklee College of Music in Guitar and Songwriting. He has been playing guitar for over 15 years and has been teaching since 2010. Aside from teaching, Jake is also an accomplished studio musician. He has done TV spots for Hammerhead Guitar Picks on VH1, and composition for multiple indie video games by Smashplug Games.

May Newton Workshop: Beginner Ukulele for Teens & Adults! 

What: Ukulele Workshop 
Level: Beginner + Intermediate 
When: Sat, 5/11, 1:00-2:30pm 
Who: Teens & adults ages 13+ 
Where: RGS Newton (48 Chandler Pl, Newton Upper Falls) 
Max 8 people 
Taught by: Rob Compagna, of Rob's Guitar School - Newton 

REGISTER & PAY HERE: https://forms.gle/YKnEpQ5zDL3sPhhW7 

DETAILS 
This workshop is a great jumping off point for those who are new to the ukulele or are at beginner or intermediate levels. Don't have a ukulele? No problem! We've got extras. Let us know in advance if you need one. 

Have a blast learning to play songs such as: Don't Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin, This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie and more! You will also receive a workbook detailing basic ukulele chords and songs covered in the workshop so you can go home and keep having fun with it! 

TICKETS 
Regular: $10 (sign up by Thursday, 5/9, at midnight) 
5/10 and day-of/at the door (if room): $20 

Registration will close at 5:00pm on Friday May 10th. Register today! 

REGISTER & PAY HERE: https://forms.gle/YKnEpQ5zDL3sPhhW7 

About Rob: 
Rob has been playing guitar for 35 years and teaching for 30 years and has played in New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Texas and throughout New England, in bands such as G3 New England, Intercept, Slight Return, C-4 and the Summertime Jazz Band. He has taught hundreds of guitar students in his lifetime.

Upcoming Workshop: An Intro to Electric Guitar! 

Workshop Overview: 
When: Sat, 4/27, 11:00am-12:30pm 
Who: Teens & Adults (Ages 13+) 
Where: Groton Grange, 80 Champney St in Groton 
Max: 8 people 
Taught by: Jake Hallett of Rob's Guitar School 

REGULAR ADMISSION: $40 
EARLY BIRD: $30 when you register before 5pm on 4/19! 
STUDENTS: $20 when you register before 5pm on 4/26 

REGISTER & PAY HERE

About this Workshop: 
Are you completely new to guitar and interested in electric? Are you an electric-curious acoustic player? Wherever you are in your guitar journey, this workshop will leave you with a great wealth of knowledge and understanding on the basic nuts and bolts of electric guitar. This workshop will provide an excellent comprehensive into to electric guitars and all of the equipment. 

There will be some opportunity to try out the equipment, however the format of this workshop is mainly informational. 

Come to this essential workshop and learn about: 
- Parts of the electric guitar and how it works, including body types and neck types 
- How amplifiers work, including EQ and pre-amplification 
- Different amp types, like tube, solid state and modeling 
- Different effects petals, such as overdrive, modulation and compression 
- And more! 

Registration: 
Registration will be open until 5pm on Friday, 4/26/19. Please be sure to register and pay in advance in order to secure your spot. If you do not register in advance and show up day-of we cannot guarantee there will be room. Day-of admission is $40. 

To apply the early bird or student discount: simply put in the corresponding amount when you navigate to the payment link at the end of the registration form. 

REGISTER & PAY HERE

About Instructor Jake Hallett: 
Jake Hallett is an instructor at our Rob's Guitar School location in Groton. Jake has a Master Certificate from Berklee College of Music in Guitar and Songwriting. He has been playing guitar for over 15 years and has been teaching since 2010. Aside from teaching, Jake is also an accomplished studio musician. He has done TV spots for Hammerhead Guitar Picks on VH1, and composition for multiple indie video games by Smashplug Games. Check out his website jakehallettmusic.com to learn more about Jake.