This review is long overdue. I've been working with Jimmy for 4.5 years and he is an incredibly dedicated and thoughtful teacher. Brilliant musically, deeply committed to his craft, plans carefully customized repertoires for each student, meeting you where you are, not just in general as a musician, but each week, each moment. He takes the long-term partnership approach to musical development. Kind of like a great shrink, but for guitar. Patient, empathetic. Oh and he's pretty funny too (he thinks he's funnier than he is, but he's actually hilarious). He's pretty strict on spots so it's near impossible to get in, but if this aligns with your approach to learning, and you can get a spot, I couldn't recommend anyone more highly. read more

Jimmy Rose is an outstanding teacher. He is committed to teaching guitar as his profession and is passionate that his students become the best musicians possible. My experience has been learning from scratch, but Jimmy has students at every level including professional musicians. I decided in January 2012, to try guitar lessons. I was almost fifty-five at the time and could not play an instrument or read music. I searched the internet for guitar instructors in Manhattan. One particular review said Jimmy Rose insisted that you learn music and not just the guitar. I called to see if he could give me lessons, but he wanted to meet me before committing. He came by the apartment and somehow a fifty-five year old conservative accountant from Texas met his approval. (Jimmy most definitely has none of these characteristics in common with me.) All he cared about was whether I really wanted to learn guitar. Since then I have had a lesson with Jimmy every week, including an eight-month period that I took by skype. My daughter and one of her friends now take lessons from him. My granddaughter takes piano lessons from another of his students. Everyone at work knows who he is. My doormen and our friends know him. He is a great friend to our family. Jimmy has a music degree from Eastman School of Music, and his exceptional knowledge of music and guitar will become apparent over your first few lessons. He starts with the basics of reading music and playing the guitar from the music. (Listen when he tells you to play slow and to tap your foot to keep the beat. I still struggle with those after almost six years.) He assigns you increasingly complex pieces picked to teach new skills. He will laugh when he reads this, but for a while I thought I might one day see the limits of Jimmy's music knowledge. That will never happen. He is extremely professional in his approach and arrives prepared for each lesson. After a while he may even bring sheet music that he has scored specifically for you. There have been numerous times over the years when my work conflicted with my scheduled lesson. He is always far more concerned than I am that we find an alternative time in the week. I give him a hard time that he should take a vacation every few years. If you want to learn about music and become the best guitarist you can be, then Jimmy is your guy. I don't play the guitar well. A little bit of talent would help, but I am hooked on learning about music and guitar from Jimmy. He believes in his ability to make me into a musician. His confidence has been really important when I have struggled or felt discouraged. He just doesn't accept anything other than moving forward. I have no defined end goal. This January will make six years that I have studied with Jimmy, and I plan to stay with him as long as I can. If you are lucky enough to find an opening in his schedule, you will learn why all of his students give him five stars. And by the way, I believe he under prices is services. read more

I have had the privilege of being a student under the best guidance one could ask for in a guitar teacher. I was fortunate to have come across Jimmy's Yelp review in my search for a teacher in 2015. I sent him a message and he requested that we meet in person, this was already a sign that he is one of a kind. Most teachers I have worked with in the past (voice, acting) are quick to take you on as a student without even exchanging words, not Jimmy. We met and he allowed me to also asses our encounter and see if we would be a good fit. Jimmy's motto is, "dont sacrifice mechanics for performance" and this has been steadfast to this day. Things I learned on day one (tapping foot to keep count, arching fingers over respective frets) are solidly implemented to this day. I picked up the guitar while in college and taught myself through YouTube tutorials, so I told him that I was not a novice, haha, I quickly learned that I was a total and utter newbie. Jimmy pointed out that he is here to fully teach me the instrument and all it entails, including true musicianship (reading, theory) and I was definitely intimidated. Our first lesson I was already able to read 3 notes on the staff and from then, I placed my fears aside and have trusted Jimmy. It's just crazy now that I can pass by a sheet of music (actor here) and with a quick glance, understand what's on there. I will never take this for granted. My journey learning the guitar has not been smooth sailing for sure, there have been times I have been so frustrated at my shortcomings and have vocalized (more like whine and have tantrums) this to Jimmy and he is EXTREMELY patient and understands that the journey is not always smooth. I mean, what teacher tells you to put the guitar down when you are not feeling it, allow the feeling to pass and then return to it. Jimmy says playing the guitar is very emotional and we must respect that. Most teachers will tell you to push through, Jimmy says surrender. I have always heeded this advice and it has actually strengthened my relationship with this instrument. Saying Jimmy is one of a kind guitar teacher is truly an understatement, Im not even sure what I have written encompasses what this awesome human being offers, but hey, I can at least try. read more

I've been meaning to write this review for months now... and I think the main reason I waited so long was because I knew it wasn't something I could just bust out in a hot second. There's no way that a "Great teacher! Love him!" review would cut it. I mean... he's just SO MUCH BETTER than that. I started studying with Jimmy in November 2006. I was 21 at the time and had never picked up a guitar in my life. I had inherited a cheap laminate acoustic guitar from my brother and I kept telling myself, "Just pick it up and play already!" I figured, all the musical greats taught themselves, why couldn't I??? Needless to say, the guitar sat in my apartment collecting dust for 9 months before I finally contacted Jimmy and asked for a little guidance. Best. Decision. Ever. I truly can't say enough about Jimmy as a teacher... as a musician... as a person. All of the above. His passion for music and teaching is truly infectious. When I first started studying, I figured it would be this fun little thing that I'd maybe dedicate an hour a week to. No big. Well, leave it to Jimmy... and after just ONE lesson, I was playing every single day. I couldn't get enough of the instrument. He's so encouraging, so inspiring... he made me believe that if I dedicated a little bit of time to it, I could actually become a guitar player. And within a year - or maybe even a little less - I was. I was playing full songs (both covers and originals), reading chord charts (tabs can suck it), and was even singing along as I played. And after two years, I was doing open mic nights. Can we say rock star??? (Not me. Him.) I studied with Jimmy for 2 years before I moved across the country for grad school. Since leaving New York, I have not found a single teacher that compares to his level of expertise, patience, and excitement. Jimmy loves what he does and you can feel that. Even if you suck. (I did.) No lesson feels like an obligation or a chore. It's not his day job. It's his passion. And you'll feel that. Promise. read more

I've been taking guitar lessons for 5 years and had 4 different teachers and I can say declaratively that Jimmy is the best out there! Most of the teachers in Manhattan either have no interest or no ability to teach you good mechanics or theory. I could tell from day one that Jimmy was different. I almost didn't hire Jimmy. After our first lesson, he asked me point blank 'are you going to take these lessons seriously?' I thought he was being cocky, but I realize now he just holds his students to a high standard. Whereas my other teachers would let me cheat, Jimmy constantly watches you during a lesson and corrects you when you become lazy with your mechanics. To this day, I keep time with my foot because when I slack I feel Jimmy's gaze on my feet. I learned from Jimmy in one year what I didn't learn from my previous teachers in 3 years. The lessons are fun and relaxing. Half the time you will learn from a well structured program. The other half you can indulge in freestyle jam sessions where you play music by your favorite artists. Jimmy uses these jam sessions to incorporate some new skill you learned. No tabs allowed. It will be diffcult to learn to read sheet music at first but you'll be sight reading in no time. Long to the short, If you are serious about learning the guitar I would highly recommend Jimmy. On a personal note, Jimmy thinks he's a rock star but he's really a 20 year old girl trapped in a 30 year old man's body. Please be sure to tease him for his profound knowledge of broadway shows, his deep love of the movie Point Break and how that movie is his inspiration for everything and his fascination with competitive cooking shows. I'm only kidding. Jimmy's a great guy and has become a great friend to myself and all of his students. His passion for music rubs off on you and keeps you engaged. As a busy physician, I looked forward to my hourly sessions with Jimbo as a way to decompress and day dream about life with less responsibility and more rock and roll. Rock on my friends. Deepak read more

I'm a former piano teacher and a gigging musician - I only mention that so that you'll believe me when I say I'm REALLY picky about music lessons. In other words, I won't just take lessons from any old teacher who promises to teach me to strum a few chords and noodle through Stairway to Heaven. I've been taking guitar lessons from Jimmy for over three years and take my word he is a STELLAR teacher. Extremely knowledgeable, passionate, dedicated, patient, and very well-versed in so many styles not to mention music theory. I started as a beginner on guitar and Jimmy has given me a fantastic foundation in both technique and repertoire (all across the board: classical, folk, rock, jazz standards...). He is truly a connoisseur of the instrument and his passion for it is contagious. He has been instrumental (pun intended) in what's sure to be my life long obsession with guitar. read more

Jimmy is inspiring and has a passion for the guitar that is infectious. Just as importantly, he has a passion for teaching; this is approached as lifelong pursuit, and he teaches the instrument from the ground up. You will learn everything. From the parts of the guitar to the notes on the fretboard, to music theory or discussion of music in general, Jimmy doesn't take any shortcuts in teaching the instrument. It is thorough, challenging and fun. He also happens to be an extremely talented guitar player who expects a lot from his students, and the high bar that he sets is what keeps me coming back. Jimmy is opinionated, and cares deeply about your progress on the instrument, and will challenge you to play better. read more

I started seeing Jimmy two years ago and it changed everything. Jimmy comes from a background of musical training and education, so he has an innate sense of when and how students should learn certain skills. Because I learned with him, I can now read music, which a lot of my friends who have been playing since childhood can't do. Jimmy is flexible, accommodating and always encouraging. He is generous with his time and he offers a highly competitive rate. He also gives his students the unique opportunity to record and post videos on a website that he maintains for them. I have no one to play for other than my fish and having the opportunity to record a video for others was a thrill and a big push for me to work even harder. Jimmy opened me up musically. Not only do I read and play music differently now, but I hear and appreciate more in the music I listen to, too. Thank you, Jimmy Rose. read more

I took guitar lessons with Jimmy for a year. I owned a guitar for three years and had no idea how to play it. He taught me how to read music and was extremely patient with me. Before, I had no idea how to read any music and by the end of my lessons I really felt like I'd accomplished something. I had to stop taking lessons because I was pregnant and got too big to hold the guitar. Otherwise I would've kept going. He's an amazing teacher and friend. - highly recommend! read more

Jimmy is an absolutely phenomenal teacher! I've had three teachers before him and he is hands down the best. I'm so much better at sight reading, concentrating on rhythm, and understanding the construction of the chords I was forming. He completely fixed my finger placement and strumming so my notes are so much clearer and have a better tone quality. He is super funny and good natured and patient and very flexible. If you are looking for a guitar teacher definitely call him before anyone else. The most thorough and detailed teacher I've ever studied with. read more