​

Live music can be powerful.  Inspiring.  Even life-changing.

​

So why are music recitals so bad?  Most of them are ruled by two emotions: Terror, and relief once it's over.

​

That's not what live music should be like.  It should be entertaining, uplifting​, moving--AWESOME.

​

I'm here to tell you that you CAN give your students awesome stage experiences.  Even if they're just learning their first drum fill, strum pattern, or major scale.

​

Great Recitals

Motivate Students

We all struggle to motivate our students to practice.  How do you compete with a young student’s Xbox or soccer games? Or an adult student’s demanding job and family commitments?

The answer is: You give them something more compelling: A chance to perform music they love for an enthusiastic crowd.​  Here's a rough graph showing how motivated my students are before and after my recitals.  

​

Most of my students slack just like yours do.  But when they're preparing for my recitals, they practice like olympic athletes.

Great Recitals

Make Money

How Much Can You Make?

I currently charge $110/hour for lessons, which is more than double the going rate for lessons in the Seattle area. How do I justify it? Giving my students performance experiences that they'll tell their grandchildren about.

My 2016 Tuition Income

I took time off in December 🙂

My Story

I’m Rob Hampton, founder of Heartwood Guitar Instruction. I teach guitar lessons privately in Seattle, WA, and my guitar instruction website heartwoodguitar.com serves 8,000 people a day.

When I started teaching guitar in 2003, my recitals were typical. They stank. My students were awkward and nervous. The audience was politely non-entertained.  And they were so much work, I wasn't sure it was worth it.

Over years of trial and error, after performing at some terrible venues (pro tip: a huge, echoey school auditorium is not a good recital space), and surviving some extremely stressful shows, I developed a formula for my recitals that transformed them into fun, inspiring displays of truly good music.  YouTube videos of the Jam have been watched by over 6 million people. And my students love, love, love it.

Check out this amazing footage.  See what a difference a great venue and great backup band makes?  ​Every parent wants this kind of experience for their child.

Emma performing her original, "Snow Day" in 2009

The things I’ve done to make the Jam so successful can be easily passed on to you. It’s a METHOD I’ve developed (with the help of some great friends).  I’ve broken the formula down into simple, step-by-step modules that allow you to easily walk through each of the phases of developing your next recital. There’s no guesswork: Just follow the plan.

What Other Teachers Say

In 2009, I wrote a guide to running a successful guitar teaching business called Rob's Totally Awesome Guitar Teaching Handbook.  Here's some feedback from my readers.

JP Holesworth Stratoblogster.com

I can without doubts or reservations deem this The Bible of beginner-intermediate guitar instruction.

Tommy Bryant Guitar Teacher

I read your eBook back in 2010 and it changed my world tremendously. I started teaching in 2009 but with little success. After reading your book I was able to get up to 35 regular students a week by 2012!  I recommend it to everyone I know who wants to teach.

Bruce Kaechele Six Open Strings Guitar Lessons

The only reason I am teaching regularly is because of your book.  I read it cover to cover. I immediately connected with your story and your writing style. Best $30 I've ever spent.

Jim Bowley Guitar Instructor in Bel Air, MD

Thanks much for putting great work out there and for spreading the guitar gospel the way it ought to be spread - with passion, attention to detail and a sense of humor

Jared Priest Kalamazoo Guitar Lessons

Rob’s teaching book is a must read for those just starting out in this business. I refer to this book time and time again.

Awesome Recitals is currently being PRE-SOLD

I'm pre-selling this course at a reduced price.  Course content will be available when the course launches.

In the meantime, I'll send you weekly progress updates, and ask you for advice on what content to include.  Let's collaborate to make this course amazing!

What You'll Get When The Course Launches:

• Four modules of streaming video lessons, with each module containing several lessons, accessed in the members section
• The Awesome Recitals handbook, containing all the lessons in print format
• A swipe file of sample emails used to communicate with students, parents, venue owners, and soundpeople
• A spreadsheet template for organizing student, song, and pricing data
• A recital program template in MS Word format, beautifully designed for handing out to audience members

Frequently Asked Questions