Do you want to learn guitar and are looking to step into the world of contemporary music like rock, blues, pop, and funk? Now is the time to finally learn to play the guitar. I’m here to teach and motivate you. I’m not just your guitar teacher, I’m your guitar friend. Sign up for my private guitar lessons in Vienna. I’ll teach you the styles of music you enjoy playing. I’m a qualified guitar teacher and teach from my studio in the 5th district.
From beginners to advanced guitarists, I teach depending on your current ability, with or without sheet music. I tailor the guitar lessons to your desired repertoire, e.g., Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Metallica, BB King, Joe Bonamassa, Chuck Berry, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Bob Marley, new pop/rock songs, indie, reggae, etc.
About me
My name is Rajat Agarwal. People also call me Raj. I was born and brought up in a town called Meerut, India. At the age of 8, my parents introduced me to Harmonium and I started having private harmonium lessons at home. This was the beginning of my musical journey which would last a life time eventually. Since then, I never hesitated to try any instrument that I could get hold of, so I tried my hands at flute, bongo, sitar, keyboards, tabla, drums, xylophone and I eventually found peace after sticking to guitar for a few years and decided that this would be my instrument of choice at the age of 16. I chose guitar because I really enjoyed singing while strumming the chords and the music that I listened to at that age was mostly western Pop/ Rock, and most of all, I was amazed at the versatility of guitar, and of course, how ‘cool’ it looked hanging down from my neck. I just fell in love with the instrument.
After about 10 years of learning and playing the guitar, by listening to guitar parts of various artists on cassettes, C.D’s, figuring out guitar solos on my own and then taking few private lessons, I studied and completed grade 8 certificates in theory and performance in India from Trinity Guildhall, UK, Rockschool, UK and London college of music in classical as well as popular music with Distinction. I realized that in the future, I would not have enough time for a job as I was so involved with music during most part of my days, that I decided to make music my job. I then enrolled in a diploma course in Contemporary music performance at Tech music Schools, University of West London, UK, while giving private guitar lessons to people in London.
After completing the Diploma in London, I went to Nepal and completed Teacher Training in Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory. I play in many bands in Genres of Rock and Jazz Fusion.
„Even today I am in love with my guitar and think nothing looks more beautiful or cooler than a guitar around your neck.“
Then I moved to Vienna and completed a 5-year training course at the Vienna Conservatory and the Prayner Conservatory to obtain my music teaching license (IGP license). I bring my passion for music and my experience in genres such as rock, blues, jazz fusion and pop to every lesson. My goal is to be not only your teacher, but also your musical friend. Sign up now and learn the music that inspires you with me, from blues to rock to pop! Each lesson is individually tailored to your ability and wishes.
About ‚House of Rock‘ – Guitar lessons that are fun!
The idea of ‚House of Rock‘ came about in 2009 when I realized that there were many working professionals and school going children near my area where I lived, who wanted to learn to play contemporary music on Guitar but didn’t have much time due to work or busy schedule, and who didn’t want to learn guitar in the strict atmosphere of a school which sometimes tend to focus heavily on sight reading.
Playing guitar has been the most amazing thing that has happened to me and I believe everyone’s experience should be the same, but sometimes unfortunately it is not the same for beginner students. This happens when the teacher is very strict and the focus of learning the instrument is too much on books and sight reading. I believe in order to be a good musician the focus should be on hearing and feeling the groove (of course books and sight reading are important as well but they are not everything).
Learning guitar is an investment. It is an investment for your soul, mind and heart. It is an adventure, a journey of a lifetime. It is not necessary to know music notation. I use a combination of notes, tabs and ear, feeling rhythm and groove as well as music theory for a deeper understanding.
So, House of Rock became quite a success in the neighborhood as I offered very flexible timings to everyone and my lessons were fun and engaging. So if you live in Vienna, Austria, and have always wanted to play the Guitar, Join now!
Guitar lesson plan for my students
My guitar lessons in Vienna are tailored to the student’s current ability, as well as their wishes. Only then can I create a meaningful lesson plan. There’s no pre-defined „to learn list“; lessons are personalized!
„House of Rock“ isn’t a traditional school, but rather a place for all music-loving, creative people. In a pleasant, stress-free atmosphere, you can learn more about music and the guitar while playing and at your own pace.
The lessons last approximately 45 minutes and take place at my home (the House of Rock) 🙂 I’m flexible with scheduling and teach all age groups. To give you a taster, the following topics will be addressed and explored:
BASICS
We will look at and discuss the most important and correct basic techniques. Such as:
Guitar Stringing, Tuning & Maintenance
Technique: Left-hand finger training, right-hand strumming patterns
Harmony & Theory: Basic music theory, major and minor Chords: Open chord positions Scales: Major and natural minor
Vocabulary & Repertoire: Easy pop/rock/folk songs Music Reading: Tablature (tabs) and chord diagrams
Ear Training: Distinguishing between major and minor chords Timing and Feel
With a little practice, you’ll learn to play the guitar in no time!
BEGINNER
Once you know the basics and are eager to learn more, the fun can really begin:
Harmony & Theory: Key signatures, circle of fifths, major & minor relationships
Chords: Understanding major 7ths, minor 7ths, dominant, and power chords
Scales: Major & minor pentatonic scales, blues scales Technique: Left hand/right hand exercises, fingerpicking styles
Vocabulary and Repertoire: Contemporary pop, classic rock Music reading: Note values, rests, and pitch
Ear training: Distinguishing between dominant, major, and minor chords
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Many musicians reach a point where simple musical examples, pentatonic scales, basic improvisation, and a short solo on top of them no longer pose much of a challenge. But at the same time, they feel that this is far from everything. If you know this feeling, the following is for you:
Technique: Alternate and economy picking, rock techniques
Harmony & Theory: Modes, arpeggios, improvisation in the Dorian mode Vocabulary & Repertoire: Blues, funk, classic rock
Music Reading: Triplets, shuffle/swing feel, accents, accidentals, chord charts & practice sheet music
Ear Training: Simple intervals/triads, chord progressions
ADVANCED
Even when you think you’ve accumulated enough knowledge and have a solid technique, there are still many aspects to consider. It takes a lifetime to get an instrument to do exactly what you want it to do. Now’s the real kick-off!
Technique: 5-position theory, sweep picking, tapping
Harmony & Theory: Modes, slash chords, advanced arpeggios, advanced pentatonic scales Vocabulary & Repertoire: Advanced rock, jazz standards
Music reading: Odd time signatures and full-chart music reading
Ear training: Compound intervals/scales/complex chord progressions
FAQ – Frequently asked Questions
Which styles of music are taught?
I teach contemporary music. I offer lessons in blues, rock and pop and cater to the individual needs of my students. Whether you want to play songs by Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Metallica, B.B. King and blues classics, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath or Bob Marley – I will guide you and play with you. New pop/rock songs, indie, etc. are also part of my repertoire.
Is guitar difficult to learn?
Is it hard to learn a new language? Well, there you have your answer. Learning guitar is like learning a language. Having said that…The guitar is a versatile instrument that is suitable for beginners and advanced players alike. The first steps are learning chords, simple melodies and basic scales. Once you get over the first hurdle, it gets easier from there. It gets much easier once you have developed calluses on your fingers, which takes about 2-4 months, and I will help you achieve success. With the right instruction and practice, playing will soon be a joy.
At what age should you start?
There are no hard and fast rules! Children can start learning guitar from around eight years old. For young children, a small classical guitar with nylon strings is recommended. Adults or seniors can start at any time. Music knows no age and anyone can achieve success with the right attitude. However, I only start teaching from the age of 12 because I teach contemporary music. This is the age when people start to develop a musical identity around their favorite artists, genres and styles. This is very important when learning contemporary styles such as rock, blues, funk and pop.
How long does it take to learn guitar?
This question is not so simple. How long does it take to learn a language? Simple words and simple sentences come quickly and deep, meaningful conversations take time. The same goes for learning the guitar. Music is a language, and everyone is different. Everyone learns at their own pace and everyone has a different pace. I am here to help you achieve your personal goals while having fun. Let’s go on this exciting adventure together!
What is the difference between an acoustic and an electric guitar?
There are mainly two types of acoustic guitars. One is the classical guitar with nylon strings and the other is the modern Steel string guitar. The classical guitar is ideal for children and beginners and is mainly used in classical and folk music, while the electric guitar and the steel stringed guitar are ideal for more modern styles such as pop, rock, etc. Both instruments have their own charm and I will help you choose the right one for your style.
Can I learn guitar without knowing how to read sheet music?
Although playing from sheet music/ music notation has many benefits, it is not necessary for contemporary music. Modern music is not written like classical music and should therefore be learned differently. We should also note that playing with feeling and intuition, heart, soul and ear and just grooving to the rhythm is also necessary. Modern music can also be played using tabs and chord charts. A good way to learn guitar is to take a balanced approach of sheet music, tabs and ear.
Contact
You can contact me through the contact form or through phone, email or Whatsapp. I teach in a centrally located studio in Vienna’s 5th district, which is easily accessible. I look forward to accompanying you on your musical journey and helping you achieve your goals.
Stop Dreaming, Start Playing! 🙂
On my Facebook page you will find may cool posts and guitar videos: Rguitarlessons