SGM Lessons

contact for price

Select a service

Zip code

Interested musical styles

Lesson length

Student experience

Sorry this pro can’t do your job, but we know other pros who can.

Check them out

Introduction: Each individual student has a unique way of learning. I have devised a program for bass, guitar and theory, that draws on cognitive learning principals to learn music faster, understand concepts easier, facilitate on the instrument better and meet each students' individual goals, while maintaining a fun environment and fostering creative expression. I love embarking on the journey of self discovery with others and empowering people to unlock their full potential. Most people don't realize the vastness of music, how it translates into life circumstances or how much they can accomplish so, watching the "light bulb" moments as they piece the parts of the musical puzzle together is pretty amazing.

Overview

Hired 24 times

1 employee

20 years in business

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Credit card, Square cash app, Venmo, and Zelle.

Featured Projects

13 photos

Specialties

Interested musical styles

, , , , ,

Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for responsiveness, value, and punctuality.

Excellent 4.9

16 reviews

94%

Matt W.

Jan 28, 2015

Hired on Thumbtack

Guitar Lessons

The Electric Violin L.

Aug 18, 2014

I have had the pleasure of performing with Joel on stage. I can't say enough positive things about him, and would give him well beyond 5 stars if given the opportunity! He has the optimal combination of professional knowledge, talent, dedication, and well-honed teaching skills. Any time our group struggles, he finds an innovative approach to help us get back on track or work through a performance challenge. Joel has a genuine desire to help his students learn and improve, and he demonstrates it in his professionalism on stage. He is an outstanding teacher and problem solver, and you will be blessed and delighted by him and his rock solid bass skills from the moment you meet him.

Preston P.

Aug 23, 2014

Joel Tolley is a wise and direct teacher. In my years of training beginning from a grade school student to college, I have never had a more thorough teaching of music theory than from Joel. He explains concepts simply and matter of factly, providing little guesswork for the student. Learning is easy under Joel if you have a desire to grow in your craft. Under his tutelage, you will be mentored, challenged, and grown into a better musician and have a deeper understanding of music and musical theory. Joel is not only a top notch teacher, but he is a practicer of what he preaches. He is more dedicated to his work than almost anyone else I know and lives out what he pours into his students. If you are serious about honing your skills and really want to grow as a musician, I cannot recommend anyone more than Joel Tolley.

Kristen L.

Aug 24, 2014

I learned SO much from your husband. I basically credit most of my music learning to him! I think he was the first person who really pushed me to be a better musician in fact. I had just learned chords after being sheet music trained for many years, and I was still learning how to improvise better. I remember on one of our songs for select band I was having a hard time figuring out what to do to improvise. The song was Johnny B Goode. He kept pushing me to try new ideas and to not give up and be mediocre and take the easy way out. Finally things were pieced together and I felt like that was one of the moments where I broke my fear to improvise. He also told us to be prepared, professional musicians. I never thought about worship being something where we should aim for musical preparedness, but mr T was definitely right. Over the years, I have seen the difference in prepared musicians versus unprepared musicians. I think when worship teams are prepared and have thoroughly learned the set, it is easier for the audience to be more receptive to worship. I think the term he always used for this was "musical excellence." He sparked my love for being on a worship team and since then, I have always been involved with worship. I am so thankful for the positive influence he had in my life!

Austin G.

Aug 27, 2014

He is a very skilled musician, with a lot of knowledge to offer to his students. I take my music very seriously, and I am very self motivated. So I really enjoyed having someone as a teacher who was equally as motivated constantly pushing me to be, not just better, but perfect! (I won't name names but) I took lessons for two years with somebody else prior to taking lessons with Joel, and Joel was able to teach me the same information in a shorter period of time. The difference is not just the period of time in which it takes him to explain a concept, but the elevated quality at which he teaches. He makes it easy to connect concepts together, and very evidently... He practices what he teaches. It's not okay to just be a Guitar Center Rockstar, you need to be able to express yourself as a true artist. Think and play, outside the "BOX." Explore your creative options. Don't limit yourself to a simplistic scale pattern, but connect the dots. Mediocrity might as well be the new F-Word. I would recommend Joel to anybody who is ready to take their playing ability to the next level. Because just when you think you've got a concept down, he will flip it upside down and make you look at at it in a whole new way.

FAQs

How did you get started doing this type of work?
I love to share my knowledge and experience, and I love to see people progress and what they love. I some extremely gifted instructors and wanted to help others in the way that they helped me.
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Ask a LOT of questions and specifically ask what the instructor's curriculum (or process) is. If the instructor has a well rounded game plan, you are off to a good start. If you feel like they are just telling you what you want to hear, there is a good chance that you may not be getting balanced and quality instruction.
What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?
How much time goes into preparing for a student outside of the lesson time and how it important it is to notify the instructor in advance about tardies and absences. I think too often that students think that their instructors just sit around all day and wait for them as if they have no other commitments or obligations. Many instructors have other sources of income, families and other students that are often inconvenienced by a student's poor planning and inconsideration.

SGM Lessons

FAQs

Related cost information

Popular in Plano

You might also like

In other nearby areas