Welcome to Kitarakurssi.fi!
The idea for this website has been on my mind for a long time. I have taught guitar and ensemble playing for several years in various music schools, schools, and through private lessons. At the same time, I have noticed that many people would like to learn to play guitar, but suitable teaching is not always available in their local area, or the price of private lessons may feel too high.
This is how Kitarakurssi.fi was born.
I wanted to create a service where high-quality teaching would be accessible regardless of where you live, and where learning would take place with a real teacher – not just through pre-recorded videos.
Who teaches the courses?
My name is Leo Salmela. I am a music pedagogue (Master of Music) who graduated from the Sibelius Academy, as well as a professional musician.
I have worked as a teacher at Groove Music School, Demo Music School, primary and secondary schools, as well as the Sibelius Academy, where I worked as a lecturer in ensemble playing, teaching future music educators.
In addition to teaching, I have been actively performing in various ensembles for more than ten years. I am currently a member of the long-running Linda & Leo duo and also release my own music under the artist name Leon Nightingale.
Both performing and teaching have influenced the way my teaching has developed over the years. My aim is to focus on things during lessons that are genuinely useful in practical guitar playing and to make sure that learning progresses clearly, step by step.
How does the teaching work?
Kitarakurssi.fi courses are delivered as live lessons in real time via Zoom.
This is not an online course where you watch pre-recorded videos on your own. Instead, it is a real lesson where the teacher and students are present at the same time.
During the lessons, we learn new things, practice together, go through students’ questions, and provide personal feedback. The groups are small so that everyone can receive guidance appropriate to their level.
Every lesson is recorded, so you can return to it later and review the material at your own pace. The recordings are also useful if you are occasionally unable to attend a lesson.
Why live group teaching?
Many people learn guitar today through YouTube videos, and you can certainly learn a lot from them. The challenge, however, is often that no one tells you what order you should learn things in or corrects possible mistakes.
Private lessons, on the other hand, provide personal guidance, but they are not financially accessible to everyone.
Live group teaching sits somewhere between these two options. It combines teacher guidance, a clearly structured course, and learning together with others, while being significantly more affordable than private lessons.
What courses are available?
The autumn course selection includes four different groups:
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Beginner guitar course
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Intermediate guitar course
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Advanced guitar course
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Rock/Metal course for electric guitarists
Each course follows its own curriculum, and the groups are designed for players at different skill levels.
If you notice after the course begins that you have chosen a group that is too easy or too challenging for you, you can switch to another level.
The first courses begin in September
The first Kitarakurssi.fi courses begin on 15 September, and registration is now open.
If you have been thinking about starting to play guitar or returning to the hobby after a long break, this is a great time to get started. And if you have already been playing for longer, there are courses available for intermediate and advanced players as well.
Welcome to join us
Kitarakurssi.fi was created out of a desire to make high-quality guitar education more accessible.
I hope that as many people as possible will discover a new hobby through the website or find new motivation to continue an old one.
If you would like to learn more about the courses, you can find more information and registration details on the course pages.
See you in class!
