I highly recommend Antony to anyone wanting to develop or sharpen their musical skill. When I was searching for a voice teacher as someone with zero singing experience, I felt overwhelmed by how many options there were; I had no idea whom to choose. A random craigslist ad for Ablan Guitar and Music (that also led to this Yelp page) led me to working with Antony, and I have no regrets. As others have mentioned, Antony's a very warm and encouraging teacher, which I've found helpful when I'm feeling a little nervous or self-conscious. He really cares about getting to know his students on a personal level, which adds another fun element to lessons with him. I also enjoy the fact that every lesson feels different--they're never boring. Getting to work on the songs that I want to work on has given me a deeper understanding and appreciation of the music. I'm still early on in my singing journey, but I am learning a lot and look forward to working with Antony more in the future. read more

I NEVER write yelp reviews so hopefully that reinforces what I say in the below. I took guitar lessons all through high school and college and decided to get back into it in my late 20's. Antony is by far the best teacher I've ever had. He's that rare person who has immense talent while also being able to articulate how to improve to those who are less talented than him. On top of that he's also extremely positive and encouraging while also being someone you'd want to have a beer with. If you're in the Chicago area and are trying to improve your chops on any instrument, you're doing yourself a disservice if you go anywhere else. read more

I have been taking lessons from Antony for three months now and the process has been a transformative journey both musically and personally. I came to Antony having received a guitar as a gift and not knowing a thing about it. Setting up a lesson was effortless and welcoming, and he greeted me with a smile, a great deal of patience, and a genuine interest in my musical goals. I left my first lesson with a smile on my face, eager to practice the chords to a song that I picked. I have only positives to list about my time with Antony thus far: -Antony provides the ideal amount of motivation to practice and develop, without being too pushy or too hands off. It is clear he wants his students to succeed. -He is incredibly patient - I do not consider myself to be a natural musician, and Antony approaches each lesson without judgement. -He provides an ideal balance of consistent and genuine positive feedback and the right amount of constructive input -Antony encourages one to branch out of their comfort zone - he had me singing a few weeks in - something I never thought I would do. -He mixes in the perfect amount of theory and technicality while keeping up the momentum of playing songs (rather than drilling you with playing scales) from one's personal music taste -Each session ends with a sense of accomplishment, a goal, and a relief from the stress of the work week -Antony is a very gifted musician who possesses a natural desire to share his gift and passion with all I will continue to work with Antony and look forward to updating my review as I learn more about the positive results that ensue. read more

If you are looking for guitar lessons then you can stop your search here. Antony is an absolute joy to work with and I cannot recommend him enough. I knew he would be a wonderful teacher from the second we spoke on the phone. He exudes joy and I leave every single lesson inspired and motivated to learn more, do more, grow more. Although we focus on music, our lessons often lead me to think about and improve my life - who I am, how I'm showing up, what I can become. He is a supportive partner and creates a safe, comfortable environment for you to become the full and best version of yourself! read more

A couple a years ago I bought a used acoustic guitar off Craigslist and taught myself three basic chords with the help of some YouTube videos. Learning just those basics was rough, and to be honest I figured I would likely quit when it became too hard or when my wife threatened to leave me. But surprisingly I stuck with it. A big reason I didn't quit is because of my lessons with Antony, who is an incredible teacher. I'm a teacher myself and I can honestly say he's inspired me to be better at my job. He's patient and encouraging, and the sessions are tailored to what I want to learn. He's also great at putting goals together to help motivate me. A year and half after starting lessons with him, I've written a handful of my own shitty songs and learned enough covers to bore my friends for hours. Antony is also a funny, incredibly smart dude, so that helps too. And he always seems to have chocolate and bourbon stashed away somewhere in his studio so if he briefly dives deep into musical theory that my mind can't handle, I can distract myself. Anyway, if you've read this far: set up a session. Seriously, you won't regret it. I never imagined when I bought a guitar in my mid 30s that I would be playing and recording my own music. It's an incredible feeling, and I'm grateful that Ablan Music helped me achieve it. read more

I have been taking lessons with Antony for 10 months. I had purchased a guitar a couple of years ago and tried to play a couple of notes, but ended up throwing it in my closet and forgetting about it. Needless to say, I really didn't know much of anything during my first lesson. Antony is not only a gifted musician, but he is a phenomenal teacher. He builds each lesson around my style of music and what I want to play. I got to actually play and practice songs instead of scales or other mundane memorizations during my first lesson. Antony loves ALL types of music so I just brought a CD of my favorite songs during my first lesson and we went from there. Its very hard to communicate what an amazing experience this has been for me over the last 10 months. I could have never learned this much on my own with just a beginner guitar book. Antony's passion for music is a bit addicting. His dedication and passion really inspire me to practice and learn more. Not only am I playing some of my favorite songs now, but just this last week actually recorded a song....SINGING! Never in a million years did I expect this coming into these lessons. I work 40-60 hours a week in the corporate grind and just wanted an outlet for myself outside of work. I really look forward to my lesson each week with Antony, they take the stress away! I am very fortunate to work with someone so dedicated to music and look forward to many more lessons as I continue to develop my own style. No matter your age, skill level or musical taste, ANYONE would be lucky to work with Antony. He is an amazing instructor and musician and I wish him nothing but the best as he grows his teaching business.--Rachel read more

I've got nothing but good things to say about my time with Antony. He is obviously a gifted musician but he brings so much more to the lessons he gives. He is so well read in poetry and literary works, that it seems wisdom and knowledge pour out of even the smallest comments he makes. I would go to him, feeling tired and depleted from the grind of the week, and leave feeling energized and uplifted. You get more than a guitar lesson when you spend time with Antony. I think it is also worth noting, Antony doesn't have some type of rigid lesson plan that he drops into place. He will tailor the lesson plan to your needs and abilities in very dynamic ways. A friend of mine and I started with him separately at the same time, we both had very different experiences, both of which were very positive and helped us grow as musicians. read more

If you have found yourself reading these reviews, then I hope you will have to look no further when it comes to finding a musical instructor. I started working with Antony about three years ago. After our first intro session together, I never looked back. Whether you are completely new to the musical realm, or have an advanced degree in music theory, I guarantee you'll be able to learn something. His body of work speaks for itself, so look beyond just these reviews and check out his band 'Antony and the Tramps'. With anything, there are certain things that are left up to you, i.e. practice, practice, practice, but whatever you are looking to get out of taking lessons, Antony will help get you there. If you want to learn covers; he'll be able to take any song you let him listen too and teach it back to you. If you want to write/record some of your own tunes; he has the tools at his disposal, and more importantly the knowledge to share on how to accomplish both of those feats. Every lesson I've taken with him has been great! read more

Antony is the greatest! I have taken music lessons from dozens of music teachers over almost 40 years, and I even have a degree in music from a top-ranked school. But Antony is one of the best music teachers (and especially guitar teachers) I have ever worked with. I was always such a frustrated guitar player (I am really a drummer) but it turns out that I was not only doing a lot of it wrong, but also thinking about it wrong. Antony doesn't force you to play like he does, or the types of music he likes - he helps you unlock your own inner potential through good technique and a solid grasp of the fundamentals. He is very thorough and attentive, yet also patient and supportive in a laid-back way that turns our lessons into a relaxed hangout. Concepts that seemed so elusive in the past now seem so obvious thanks to Antony's insight. In addition, Antony hosts performance workshops for his students from time to time, which is very rare among private music teachers. But it is an exceptional way to develop your skills - playing out in such a supportive and fun environment is some of the best early experience you can get. He has also been helping a lot of his students to make studio recordings during lessons, which is good for teaching the basics of recording and production while at the same time helping you to create something that you can be proud to put out and show people. It's brilliant! I am playing so much better now, with solid fundamentals that will keep it fun and keep me injury-free. I have been surprised and elated with the progress I have made since studying with Antony and I couldn't be happier! read more

I started with Antony as a beginner and 6 months later I could not be happier with my progress! Each lesson is completely tailored to my needs. Nothing is ever canned or one-size-fits-all. We work on the music that I want to work on. And he quickly figures out where I need to work and gives me exactly the guidance that I need. Not every talented musician is also a gifted teacher. With Antony, you really get both. He really knows his stuff, and at the same time, he is such a warm and kind person. From the beginning, I felt comfortable right away, and like I had room to make all the mistakes that you have to make when you're starting something totally new. I also love that I'm getting to learn to sing and play at the same time - right from day one! I didn't know how to sing at all (and I didn't really think it was something you could just learn). Now, having started out this way, I cannot imagine how hard it would be to learn one thing and then try to add the other years down the road. If you want to sing while you play, this is the only way to learn. For years I said I would just "teach myself" guitar and it sat at the back of my closet. I am so happy that I finally made the commitment. I'm progressing so much faster than I ever thought possible, and I know it's because I totally lucked out and picked the right teacher. read more

I've been playing guitar for 10+ years, practicing regularly, devouring music books, learning theory, checking out YouTube videos. But, working with Antony has been transformational. There's really nothing else like working with a master. There are a lot of elements that come together to make Antony a great teacher - He has a very warm personality and he continuously challenges you in unique ways. To me, this is the crucial combination for creating an environment for growth which is both safe and adventurous. - He's keenly observant of people's unique style and really tailors to what you need to grow. With his insights, I've been able to refine my skills much faster and work toward finding my unique voice with my instrument. - He's a talented professional musician which means I've been able to practice a lot performance skills with him which has given me a lot more confidence when jamming with friends. - It's also so much fun working with him in his studio! You get to record, experiment with tone, and play really loud! - He's always smiling and laughing! Antony has been an integral part of my music journey and I'd highly recommend him as a guide. That's just my own experience. Antony really tailors lessons to the individual, so check out some of the other genuine student reviews by clicking on the "filtered" reviews just below in grey! read more

I had dabbled in guitar lessons a smidge before, but for all practical purposes, I didn't really know much. I am a vocalist--singing is my trade. So when a bandmate suggested I learn how to hold my own with a guitar, in the event he couldnt make a gig, he suggested Antony for private lessons, and I thought "why not"? Then I found out Antony gives you his first trial lesson free, and thought "What do I have to lose? Let's do this!". One of the BEST decisions I've made in the years I've been in this crazy-wack attack world of music! Antony is one of the most patient, genuine, helpful, talented, inspiring, and supportive teachers I know. He listens to what YOU want to get out of his lessons, he shows you how to DO what you want to learn, and he genuinely gives a sh*t about WHY you are there. If my personal progression is any proof- and I'm still learning every day-- I have grown in leaps and bounds in his presence. He doesn't rush, or show off, or make you feel like you should be ANYWHERE other than exactly where you are. I truly leave his studio every week feeling better than I did when I walked in. He has really helped me with my confidence as a guitar player, and to that I thank him greatly! Highly recommend lessons with Antony! And if you are lucky, at some sessions, you may get to meet his dog, Lulu. She makes a damn fine groupie, she do. :) read more

Antony is so helpful. The man is my vocal coach but it goes way beyond. We spend time talking about what I want as an artist and exploring what's in my scope. Antony listens and figures out what YOU want not what he wants. DO IT read more

I started going to see Antony with the goal of playing music live (something that seemed pretty out of reach for me at the time), and he help me blow past that goal in six months. His laid-back and professional demeanor, his expertise, and his teaching style have helped me develop the confidence and the skill to perform music in front of a live audience and also to set myself loftier goals. I highly recommend Ablan Music to anyone of any skill leve looking to learn or improve their guitar playing or singing. read more

i'm a newbie and have been taking lessons with antony for a little under a year. i started out knowing absolutely nothing and antony was beyond welcoming and patient with my complete lack of knowledge. he makes learning a new instrument fun & exciting. insted of starting out learning something like twinkle twinkle - antony had me burn him a cd of some of my favorite songs, and we jumped in by learning the basics on how to play some tunes i love. so fun. antony is so warm and passionate about what he does, that it's extremely inspiring, not even to be a better musician yourself, but to just play music in general and to love it as much as he does. completely agree with the review from scott y - i too often show up at my lesson stressed and burnt out from work, leaving feeling completely refreshed and uplifted. whether you're starting out or looking to polish up your existing skills, you can absolutely benefit from lessons with antony. great guy and brilliant musician. read more