Private Sessions With Robert Conti.
Get that extra edge only a player can deliver.
In the Third Century BC, The Greek Philosopher Aristotle Stated:
“For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them.”
Since 1966 AD, Robert Conti, The American Jazz Guitar Virtuoso & Educator Has Preached:
"You Will Only Learn To Play Jazz Guitar, By Playing Jazz Guitar."
Comment Excerpts By Current Students
(Click on each student’s name to read his letter)
Bryan, TX
Phillips, WI
Boston, MA
Aarhus, Denmark
San Carlos, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Cheshire, UK
Colleyville, TX
Raleigh, NC
Berkeley, CA
Nice, France
Whittier, CA
Bryan, TX
What I learned in my first lesson with Robert is that he is as energetic and friendly as he is in his DVDs. I’ve watched hours of the DVDs and it was a privilege to be able to personally converse, for two hours. Within the first 15 minutes, Robert watched me play and asked a few questions, and then had his tech email me three pages, which we spent the remainder of the lesson on. During the analysis of those pages, he answered the question I had not asked, which was how do I apply the Etudes from The Precision Technique and the few lines I learned in the Jazz Lines to a song. By focusing me on Green Dolphin Street, he answered this question and gave me some wonderful homework. The most important impact of the lesson though, was that Robert has helped me integrate and focus all of the skills and knowledge I’ve developed over the years into a direction that will allow me to improvise lines easily. Handing someone a scale book or a list or arpeggios to learn is like handing someone a fishing pole and walking off without telling them to thrown the line in the water. Robert wants you to land a big fish…tonight at the gig. |
David Skinner
Bryan, TX – United States
Phillips, WI
Earlier this week I had the opportunity to do a 2-hour online lesson with Robert Conti. Robert’s approach to teaching jazz guitar is to get you playing and that’s exactly what we did in our lesson. Just like his books and DVDs, there is a lot of information packed into a very small space. This can be deceiving, in my opinion, because it’s going to take time and effort on my part to learn and internalize the material. There aren’t any shortcuts.
The two hours went by quickly, and I look very much forward to doing more lessons with him. I also received a video of our lesson that day. As a teacher, Robert Conti was personable, patient, knowledgeable, and encouraging. As a side note, I really enjoyed his stories and look forward to hearing more in the future.
Jack Marchewka
Phillips, WI – United States
Boston, MA
Hands down, that was the best guitar lesson I have ever had. In 5 minutes he explained how chords connect with melody through a scale. I am blown away. Also a little nervous about learning to read the lead line, but I will trust the process. Amazing. I will be booking more lessons once I get the first three progressions down. I only wish I’d started with Robert two years ago instead of wading through all sorts of online videos and lessons that did not have a structure and did not make the connections Robert does. To use a sports analogy, if I were a quarterback, it’s as if Tom Brady were now my personal coach. I am grateful that the internet allows me to have access to Robert. Did I say wow? Please pass on my thanks to Robert.
Jonathan Simmons
Boston, MA
Aarhus, Denmark
The musical impact of the data from the first lesson was big. There was a lot of material covered and new things for me to digest. I got way more out the lesson than I expected – both in terms of material, tips, and also the length of the lesson as well. I am an experienced musician from other genres and have been a gigging musician, but I am a beginner jazz player. But Robert laid out a clear path for my development going forward and presented me with the first step stone in the very first lesson. I walked away from the lesson with greater musical confidence than prior to the lesson and eager to practice the stuff!
Claus Aschou Johannesen
Aarhus – Denmark
San Carlos, CA
I have loved and played jazz guitar for many years soloing, and playing with various jazz groups. I have also realized for a long time that I had reached a ceiling in my ability to solo as effectively as I wanted, with melodic lines outlining altered chords at fast, bebop tempos.
After listening to Bob’s amazing solo’s, I dived into his many learning materials, really fun stuff. However, it is when I decided to up my commitment to learning bebop and I started taking private online lessons with Bob that things started to click. After just three lessons now I have a new way to approach soloing, and how to tie together great lines throughout the tune.
I am very confident that Bob’s effective and supportive teaching style has enough push and challenge to get me to those next levels. As Bob told me, “The journey is even more fun than the destination.” He’s right, and I am jazzed about that journey.
Dr. Bob Navarra
San Carlos, California – USA
Las Vegas, NV
I just wanted to give a shout out to Robert Conti. I started taking lessons with Robert about 2 years ago and picked up a few tricks. I decided to get serious back in February and made a weekly appointment for a 2 hour lesson. It is the best musical investment that I have ever made. The progress has been amazing and his teaching style fits with the way I need to learn.
Robert teaches a no modes/no scales method…and he hates that I use the word “method”. Make no mistake though the guy knows his music theory. Not only does it sound good to your ear but he can explain at a Ph.D. level why it sounds good.
Do yourself a favor and take a lesson from the guy. I guarantee you will walk away with something new. Every week I have met with him save a few times when I was traveling and I walk away exhausted and energized.
He has completely changed my playing…for the good. He’s a rare combination of being a stellar player who can teach.
Tony Pereira,
Las Vegas, Nevada – USA
Cheshire, UK
One of the things that stands out for me from the 1-to-1 is the rapport I experienced with Robert during the online session. I’d watched him on DVD for many hours by this point so knew of his engaging and direct style but when we ‘met’ online it was like I’d known him for years.
He was interested, interesting and spent a lot of time with me making sure I understood what he was showing me. He had loads of examples and stories to back up the points he was demonstrating and, without being full of himself or showing any conceit, demonstrated just how full of knowledge, skill and wisdom he is.
He’s also a funny and sharp-witted man who, if I ever had the opportunity of meeting with him in person, I’d love to spend time talking about all sorts of random subjects with him – I’ll bet he has opinions on all sorts of things!
The courses I’ve bought from Robert have all been excellent. Without a doubt they’re the most informative and practical learning tools for guitar I’ve ever purchased and have made an enormous difference to my playing, my enjoyment and understanding. I use them even when I don’t have a guitar – I have the videos loaded on to my iPad with the scanned text in another window and watch them whenever I’m travelling or have time to spare. I just watch and learn and get big benefits without even playing. And, of course, I’m a big fan of Robert’s way of engaging – I like a confident, committed style that’s buzzing with enthusiasm and a love for the subject matter.
You may have gathered that I’m a big fan – absolutely true – but I’m not a fan boy. I coach people in sports and business on the mental side of high performance (www.rossmackenzie.net) and my appreciation of Robert’s skills and style are based on my professional as well as my personal experience of him. He’s a top man.
Ross Mackenzie
Cheshire, United Kingdom
Colleyville, TX
Robert was open and friendly in person like he is on the learning videos. I was given time to ask questions, and Robert cleared up my confusion on several points. He also added to my request for information. He showed how to apply certain lines to progressions in different keys and pointed out the “tweaks” necessary to make the lines work.
My first attempt at learning jazz was when I was 71. Prior to that, I could not read music, knew only some basic triad chords, never studied theory, and knew only a few scales. In other words, when I began my journey with Robert’s learning products, I was a beginner. I wish that I could have started having one on one lessons regularly right from the beginning. The time spent with Robert was beneficial, and I plan to schedule other sessions.
Best regards,
Elliott Seymour – Plano, Texas
Raleigh, NC
Robert has exceeded my expectations. I understand the level he is trying to teach, and the honesty with which he teaches, distinguishes him from other teachers.
His ability and determination to give the student something new, something to practice, and a clear way to “get there.”
Joseph Ahmad,
Raleigh, North Carolina – USA
Berkeley, CA
Robert Conti is a genius of Jazz guitar just like Wes Montgomery – both developed their own unique voice and approach. Robert plays up to 300 beats per minute on his many records and has a tremendous fluid technique. Robert Conti approach is fresh, simple and effective to get anyone to play blues and jazz lines straight away.
I was extremely happy with been able to have the opportunity of a one to one session with Robert Conti. It was just like being in a bar chatting about aspects of playing. Robert is very approachable and is open to discuss all aspects pf playing. I studied the material and had questions. The ideas demonstrated and discussed just connected effortlessly.
The discussion was very fruitful with new ideas was also given by Robert which was very appreciated. It was such a great session that Robert and I agreed to connect again with specific questions about the DVD called Big City Blues Vol 1.
Warm regards,
Paul Bogiatto – Berkeley, California
Nice, France
When I think of Mr. Conti, the first word that comes in mind is: GENEROSITY! He never watches the time, and never makes you feel time is running, and you never can feel he’s boring himself and just gives you private lesson to earn money. To the contrary, he takes with you all the time you need (for me he takes one hour more because he understood I’m very interested with music and motivated to work hard on his material).
He speaks to you as if you were his own son, you are immediately so confident with him, although you can be somehow nervous at the beginning haha! He really wants you to become the best player you can be!
He gives all the material you need, can answer to any question that comes in your mind, and highly motivates you to work hard. He will give immediately new ideas that you can incorporate to your playing instantly.
Believe me, I’m a professional player, and my playing is getting on a new level with Bob’s approach! I just can tell this material is fantastic and I will work all his DVDs (AND I LIKE THAT HE MAKES NEW ADVANCED DVD SERIES !!!)
So, work on his material, prepare a few questions and HAVE A PRIVATE LESSON WITH BOB YOU WON’T REGRET IT! May these few words be helpful for passionate jazz guitarist, and let’s share with everyone what we learn with Bob, because transmission of this wonderful art is highly important! THANKS AGAIN MR. ROBERT CONTI !!!
Gabriel Anfosso
Jazz Guitar Player and Singer
Nice, France
Whittier, CA
I must say that Bob is exceeding my expectations. He is an outstanding musician and educator. I feel like he has really taken the time to understand my current skill level and put together a plan that optimizes practice time.
Bob knows how to set learning goals and motivate his students to achieve them. I’ve never been so optimistic about my jazz-guitar-playing future!
Looking forward to the next lesson!
Matthew Leos,
Whittier, California – USA
Ever leave a lesson unmotivated, no desire to practice?
Discover what over five decades of performing and teaching experience will place under your fingers, as you experience learning and playing without the shackles of academic restrictions and other non-productive activities.
As scores of aspiring jazz guitarists continuously affirm in stellar commentaries and videos, their rapid improvement is the result of Conti intensely focusing his students on playing jazz lines, well suited to their existing level of technical ability. By adhering to Conti’s time tested path, the student continuously builds a solid vocabulary of jazz lines while simultaneously increasing his/her technique.
Robert’s forward motion teaching continues to impact students in every corner of the world as he delivers an edge that only a face to face experience with one of the world’s leading player/educators can produce. See and hear for yourself the verifiable student results.
(Don't worry - The Mistake Box can't get you through the internet!)
If you've hit that brick wall,
after years practicing unproductive lessons, please, take the time to see and hear a wide variety of videos in our continuously growing Players Gallery. Those are videos of real life students, proudly displaying their progress from Conti’s forward motion teaching. We hope to see your video in our Players Gallery very soon!
Mike Irish, Dir. of Jazz Studies, Michigan Technological University:
See Mike Irish, a Real Pro!
Photos From The Studio Years
If you’ve taken time to browse this site, then you’re you’re probably aware that Robert owned a successful teaching studio in Florida for a number of years. Many of his students from the 60s and 70s remain loyal patrons to this day!
With advancements in technology, you can now have the benefit of the same face to face interaction with Conti no matter where you’re located in the world.
Students, Past & Present Speak...
Questions & Answers
Please note that the private lessons are not be beneficial to beginner level students. The student should have an intermediate to advanced level of playing skill. Private lessons are most beneficial to students who have been through one or more of the Conti self study learning resources. They will have generally developed questions as a result of new knowledge they obtained through the learning products.
In most situations, no, you will not need Skype, however, it can be a good idea to have a Skype account set up as a back up as sometimes one service may work better than another depending on internet connection speed and other technical factors.
You’ll need your webcam and microphone to be working properly along with a high speed internet connection. Feel free to test your webcam and mic on this page: Webcam and Mic Test
And don’t forget your guitar!
Yes, there are apps available for Android and Apple devices, however, we suggest using a desktop or laptop computer for the best experience.
Yes, we will provide you with an MP4 file recording (video and audio) of your session with Robert Conti.
