The best teacher and person to be around!! Vreny is a master at his work and within a couple lessons I've done things I never knew were possible. read more

Through both my own journey as a musician (30 years as a sax player) and that of my daughter (who started ukulele at 4 and has been taking various lessons for the past 13 years), I have learned that it can be really difficult to find a great teacher. There are tons of great players out there (especially here in L.A), people that can shred on their instruments and do things that sometime seem otherworldly. But teaching someone how to play is an entirely different skillset. Your journey (or your child's journey) as a beginner is often going to be quite different than the journey that created the great player your potential teacher has become. Maybe he/she became such a great player because they spent 10 years practicing 12 hours a day and had perfect pitch. Maybe you can only find 20 minutes, 3 days a week to practice and can barely tell one note from another. Maybe there's a major concept that came naturally to your teacher, but that you're having a hard time understanding no matter how many times or how many ways you approach it. A great teacher will be able to meet you where you are at point A as a beginner (or intermediate) player and get you to point B, C and beyond in the most efficient and satisfying way possible. That type of teacher is EXTREMELY rare and difficult to find. Vreny is definitely one of those aforementioned rare teachers! Not only is he an amazing player, but he has a great enthusiasm for teaching and an intuitive way of knowing how to connect with the student quickly and effectively and getting that student to not only make steady progress, but also have fun doing it. My daughter has had many different guitar (and piano and voice) teachers over the years, but Vreny definitely stands out as the best guitar teacher we've found! I think part of his success is due to the fact that he's had so many students over the years and has probably encountered every kind of learning roadblock imaginable and figured out how to quickly get each student past it in a way that they, as a unique individual, understands and can execute. So if you're looking for a guitar teacher, for yourself or your child, I don't think you can find better - Vreny is a treasure and you would be lucky to have him as your teacher! read more

Vreny is the ultimate guitar teacher. He is not only super intelligent, he is also intuitive and lighthearted and completely invested in me and my musical success even after such a short time. I have only just begun taking lessons with him, but I needed to write this review so others can hear what he is capable of. He has already been able to communicate to me theoretical concepts that few others could and in a way that I can easily understand. He has also helped me to figure out how to implement them in my playing which is not always the easiest task. Let me just say, that since 2022 I have been taking guitar lessons weekly, but unfortunately I went through teacher after teacher (3 in total) who, while knowledgeable in their own ways, and able to play very well themselves, were just not necessarily the teachers for me. In their defense, I did not grow up playing music as a child and started teaching myself guitar in the 9th grade with the best intentions, but always hitting the same familiar roadblocks. I had problems with rhythm, learning songs, and as mentioned above, musical theory seemed like a foreign language to me that I just would never be able to speak. Though it had been loosely explained to me by so many different humans, in so many different ways I thought it was just not something my brain would ever be able to grasp. As you can imagine I ended up spending a lot of time and money investing in other teachers, and it is a relief to finally have met Vreny!! My entire perception has quickly changed in regard to my musical goals and what I now believe I can accomplish moving forward. On our first lesson he immediately saw where I was at with my learning and was able to give me 4 easy, and yet super useful exercises that addressed specific needs and areas that needed work. Of course then it was on me to make sure I practiced these activities, but it was easy to do because there were no longer any questions or doubts in my mind about whether or not I could accomplish the task. I love practicing now and have easily doubled my playing time per day, because it no longer feels like a question of if it will make me better; I can see the results in real time. Going back to the amount of money one can end up spending on lessons and teachers, I just want to say that I've had teachers that charged way more per hour than Vreny. I thought initially that maybe the higher cost was an indication of a better teacher but obviously I found out the hard way that this is not always the case. I feel lucky to be able to spend any amount at all toward lessons in this world of never-ending expenses, but just know that with Vreny, you will feel confident you are getting the most for you money. He also offers discounts for multiple lessons through package deals if you end up paying for up front, which honestly makes it way more affordable. Vreny also offers both in-person and online lessons. I had never done online lessons in the past, but Vreny suggested I give it a try and I found that they are actually perfect for me and my busy schedule. In addition, I've never had the ability to record lessons which is a real game-changer. To be able to revisit any lesson concept as many times as you would ever want is really priceless in my opinion. It's like having your own collection of masterclasses catered to you, forever! Overall, I can see the path forward and I am happy to say I will be studying with Vreny well into the future because I look forward to all the knowledge and insights he will teach me. Though I wish I could have met Vreny years ago, I feel super grateful to be studying with him now and know that he will take me where I want to go. If you've ever wanted to play music or maybe you're like me and have been playing for a long time but it just never quite clicked, you owe it to yourself to give Vreny a call. His energy and enthusiasm is contagious, and I've never had so much fun learning an instrument. Thanks Vreny, see you next week!! read more

Vreny is an amazing guitar teacher, and a great human being. I have loved taking lessons with him, and I highly recommend him as a teacher! I moved to Los Angeles about a year ago as a barely-more-than-beginning guitar player, and have been taking weekly lessons with Vreny ever since. Vreny has really helped me to improve at my own rate and continue to have fun making music. He is very patient with my occasionally inconsistent levels of practice, and I feel like we make progress and have a great time regardless of how much I have been able to do in a week. Vreny assigns great songs, and I feel like I have gotten a great tour of rock 'n' roll history and music theory, as well as improving my skills. He does an amazing job of assigning songs that are at exactly the right level to make challenge me and stretch me beyond what I think I can accomplish. My lessons with Vreny are always one of the highlights of my week (especially when I am slogging through long hours at my job!), and I feel like I have improved so much since I started taking lessons with him. At the end of every lesson, Vreny asks me, "Did you have fun?" The answer is always yes :-) read more

I loved my lessons with Vreny (online its ZOTZinguitarlrssons.com). He's very intelligent, but, more importantly, also a VERY good teacher. He is able to assess where you are, where you need work, and where you can be pushed. I started a very open dialogue with him to start and it was so important. By mentioning bands I like, songs I know, the things I usually play, and the things I want to learn, he had a very clear idea of where he would like to step up my playing. I grew up playing trumpet in symphonic and jazz bands, so I can read music, I know notes and rhythm, I can read tabs, I know and understand music theory (I'm a little rusty), and I've been playing guitar for 20 years, but I've never had a guitar lesson. Vreny took this knowledge and made such an awesome curriculum for me. He pushed me when it was obvious I had a grasp on the ideas he was sharing. Possibly the most important thing about these lessons and the way Vreny teaches is this question: "Did you have fun?" No one plays guitar with the assumption that they're going to spend hours learning scales and picking exercises. Everyone wants to pick up that guitar and play. I don't mean music, I mean TO PLAY; TO HAVE FUN. That is hands down the most rewarding part of these lessons. If you're not having fun, you won't keep coming back, and Vreny has a solid grasp on that concept. He also happens to be a fan of Liquid Tension Experiment. One of my all-time favorite groups. Thank you so much, Vreny! I'll be back soon!! read more

If you're looking to learn guitar as a beginner, Vreny will get you on your feet quickly. If you think you're already a great player, I guarantee you Vreny will show you ways to improve beyond what you can imagine. I'm in my 40's, but I've played guitar and piano all my life, and took music and guitar lessons for my entire childhood through high school, and even a class in college. I started with Vreny as a birthday gift from my wife, and then decided to continue taking weekly lessons. Many of my friends would tell you I was an advanced guitar player before I started taking lessons, because I could already play most any song you put in front of me, but Vreny finds a way to challenge and push me every week. He showed me how little I really knew by finding my weak spots and giving me concrete exercises to improve. That's his approach -- push you beyond what you think you can do. It can be a humbling experience, but if you take it with a positive attitude, it becomes fun. I often leave the lesson thinking things are difficult, but then I go home, and with a little work, it becomes easier and easier. He gives you specific things to practice at home every week, along with how much time you should spend on them. These are the lessons I wish I'd taken as a child. Or perhaps I wasn't ready for these lessons back then. My guitar lessons are "Me Time", something I'm doing for myself. My phone, wallet, and keys sit closed in my guitar case while I get to enjoy the lesson. You can't learn guitar just from watching videos on YouTube. I've watched many videos and tutorials, and they didn't make me a better guitar player. You need a teacher who can tell you exactly what will help you improve from the point you're at now. Vreny has enabled me to break through barriers in my playing and shown me how to do it. He's a very sweet guy with a positive attitude, and his studio is comfortable and convenient with lots of street parking available. read more

Probably the BEST guitar teacher you could hope to find in the LA area--and that's saying a lot because this is LA. He is a master guitar teacher and absolutely worth every penny. He is not only extraordinarily gifted as both a teacher and guitarist but he is a wonderful human being whose spirit will elevate your whole experience of improving your guitar skills. He will transform your playing no matter what level you are at and as with studying under any guru, you will probably find that other aspects of your life are transformed for the better as well. Over the course of multiple years he was ALWAYS extremely organized and reliable, always working exceptionally hard to serve his students and so sincerely invested in their improvement. He's the best. You cannot go wrong. read more

Vreny is the best! I took electric guitar lessons from Vreny from 2011 - 2013, the last few lessons via Skype as I had moved to Orange County. Vreny's lessons were always the highlight of my week; I was always amazed how much I learned and improved over a short period of time with Vreny's guidance and enthusiasm. Then my wife and I started a family, and well, enough said. However, I recently had the opportunity to play a small gig in front of about 100 people and despite not playing much over the past 4 years, Vreny's lessons served me well! Vreny is an incredibly kind, patient teacher whose enthusiasm and love for music shows in everything he does. His lessons are organized, focused and you can really get a lot done in a short period of time. And his approach of learning by playing songs that you like really keeps things fun. I've taken lessons for other instruments before, and I can sincerely say that Vreny is the best teacher I have ever had. If you're looking to learn the guitar or improve your skills, give him a shot; you won't regret it! read more

Vreny is more than a kick-ass guitar teacher-- he's a freakin' saint for putting up with my sorry ass. I've been wanting to get really good at the guitar for a long time. It's one of the few instruments that has always eluded me (I guess because it requires actual practice for mastery), and that I've never been able to get past plunking a few chords out on (because I have no time-- and, ok, I'll admit it-- not much of a desire-- to practice). I found Vreny through some quirk of fate, and even though he's alllll the way out in Hollywood, I decided to write to him and see if he could take another student. Fortunately for me, he could. I worked out a trade with him-- I did training and massage on him, and he gave me guitar lessons. He was patient with me (and trust me, teaching me guitar requires A LOT OF PATIENCE), customized the lessons based on how I learn, and gave me stuff I enjoyed playing. Despite my lack of practicing, I was actually progressing. Shocker!! After a while, I started taking 2 lessons a week because I wanted to progress faster (and because Vreny is just that cool). I have to say, I did pretty well. It almost made me want to practice more. Unfortunately, my schedule doesn't allow me to take guitar lessons any more at the moment. But if I ever get the time again, Vreny is my man. If anyone can get me to be the next female Yngvie Malmstein, it's Vreny. He's the bomb-diggity. read more

I write music professionally and have been playing guitar for many years. I was self-taught and felt I needed to really learn what I was doing as far as theory and to really get my technique together, as I was sure I has plenty of bad habits. I'm not the guy playing Stairway to Heaven or the one shouting, "Let's jam some blues, man!" at the party, so I wanted a teacher who taught serious guitar and got into the roots of the whole thing so I could basically re-learn what I was doing from a theory perspective. I can honestly say that he's one of the best teachers I've had, of any instrument. He's a bad-ass musician himself but won't sit there and show off at all -- he really is all about his student. As many others here have said he's patient, effective, highly organized, and has a method that really pushes you (you should be willing to practice!). I don't have much of a desire to practice in general, but when I really dig in to what Vreny has me doing I see my playing and theory knowledge skyrocket, truly. I'm a very experienced musician who does it for a living and Vreny is opening my mind to so many new and challenging things -- worth every single penny. He's serious about what he does and it shows, and he's a pretty hilarious guy, too. I wouldn't recommend him if you're not going to practice at all, as you won't get out of it what he's putting in, which is a way to quickly, deeply and effectively improve your guitar playing from multiple angles. Hell, he's even patient enough for you to mispronounce his name for weeks. HIGHLY recommended. read more

"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear". Vreny came into my life when I was wanting to really gain a broader depth of understanding of music. I came from a background of playing piano as a child through high school, but never really learned the fundamentals of what made a song what it is structurally. I also wanted to learn guitar and Vreny has proven quickly to have an expansive knowledge of music and every aspect about it. It has only been a couple months and Vreny has me playing over 8 songs on guitar, learning music theory, and is assisting me with songwriting techniques! Progress with Vreny is quick, hands on, challenging, and rewarding! As a Berklee College of Music graduate and with at least two decades (probably more) or music playing experience, Vreny is a fantastic teacher, talented musician, and to save the best for last, an authentic fun, charismatic person. I have so much fun in all my lessons and look forward to making personal progress every week. Vreny is a gem and I'm lucky to have found him in a crazy city like LA. I recommend him for SURE! read more

Vreny is without a doubt the finest guitar instructor from whom I have ever had the pleasure of studying. His resume speaks to how learned he is while his work ethic and rehearsal schedule explain much of his mastery - saying nothing of Vreny's immense natural talent. Vreny's teaching style is uniquely his own. It is one that he's spent years creating and that is based not only in theory and method but in science and intuition as well. I've known Vreny for over six years and have studied with him for more than three. There is a reason why Vreny is booked up all the time. Whenever I go to a lesson I come out feeling charged and elated - no matter how I've felt coming in. It's just that he is so positive and his method of teaching so empowering on the guitar and in life in general that you come out feeling like you can do anything. And with Vreny as your teacher along with regular practice...you can! read more

Vreny is the MAN! You will not find a more effective guitar teacher in LA (or perhaps the world). He will not waste a single minute of your time. He will push you to new levels. I've been taking lessons with Vreny for almost 2 months now and my skills have skyrocketed. Not only have I become a much better player, but I also see music theory in a whole new light. He has explained things in a way that simply makes everything make sense. He will tell you exactly what to practice and for how long to practice it, and - if you put the time in - you will be AMAZED at your progress. He is 100,000% focused on his students' progress. I've taken many classes where teachers are obviously just there to collect a paycheck - Vreny is the COMPLETE OPPOSITE. Click the link to his website and sign up for one lesson. Or just give him a call. After talking to him you will IMMEDIATELY know that I'm not B.S.ing you. If you live in L.A. (or anywhere else - he also does lessons via skype), CONTACT VRENY! He will teach you like none other - trust me. P.S. Unlike many businesses and teachers, Vreny NEVER ASKED ME TO WRITE A YELP REVIEW. In fact, I'm one of those bastards that only reads yelp reviews, never writes my own. But I'm so pleased with my experience that I felt compelled to spread the word about my excellent experience. Call Vreny, you won't be disappointed. -Evan Nischan read more

Best decision I made last year was to start studying with Vreny. If you are serious about music and want to take your guitar craft to the next level, he's the guy. I've learned more in 8 months than I have in my entire professional career as a musician. My confidence as a singer songwriter and performer has skyrocketed. He is a great teacher. read more

I hadn't played guitar since I was 13 years old and now at the ripe old age of 43, I decided I would make time to invest in myself and find a teacher. I was a little hesitant at first thinking I would struggle too much, get frustrated, and quit. Fortunately, I discovered Vreny. As other Yelp reviews will tell you, he really is the best. I've surprised myself at how much I've learned in just four months. Vreny's teaching method and style ranks up there with some of the best professors I had while in business school. I appreciate his organized approach that builds on past lessons. He presents new concepts in easy to digest pieces. I never feel overwhelmed and when I get stuck with a concept, he finds other ways to explain. FInally, there is no time wasted during lessons. You are learning from the moment you get there. You really get your money's worth. read more

Great teacher and great motivator. I was only able to take 2 lessons with him, but in those 2 lessons he taught me a lot and I still apply them to my practice routine even though I can't afford guitar lessons right now. As soon as I'm more stable financially, I'm going back to him! read more

Yes it's cliche. Vreny rocks. Having studied with more than a few teachers over the years, he is by far my favorite. Fun, fast and very very patient. No matter what you're into, he seems to have played that too. Basically: you want to play guitar-go to Vreny read more

Vreny is awesome! A very detailed and disciplined musician who passes those qualities onto you as a student in a very easy and relaxed manner. Makes learning the instrument a whole lotta fun! Highly recommended to students of all levels. read more

I decided, in my 40s, that I wanted to learn how to play. I bought a guitar and plinked around with it for a couple of months and decided I could not teach myself. I found Vreny, and I'm playing better than I really thought I could. I'm not great, but I can play a bit, and I'm getting better and better. Vreny has lots of training behind him, and he can play. Beyond that, he can teach. He has ways of working on different things from basic chords and strumming patterns to advance theory. He will also teach via Skype. He works really hard. He's always pleasant, but he's not a pushover. He can be a stern taskmaster (in the best possible way). read more

I love Vreny! He is much more than just a regular guitar teacher. Vreny has a way of really getting to know the people he is working with, and it's one of the reasons why he is able to really get through to his students and have them progress so fast on the guitar. When I first has lessons with Vreny, I was blown away! It was like no other guitar lesson I had experienced. I came out feeling like I just lifted weights for an hour; but it was just my guitar and theory muscles that had been used. I still learn something new from Vreny about music and life every single time I see him! Vreny can really open up the doors to better guitar playing and be able to motivate one to go though it. On top of all his skill as a teacher and player, Vreny is the most organized and focused person I have had the privilege of meeting. His energy is infectious and really gets you pumped to learn and move forward, not just in music but in yourself! If you are looking for quality guitar lessons from an amazing and patient teacher )and friend) Vreny is the person to contact. Your guitar playing will never be the same! read more

When I decided to try private guitar lessons after taking a group session and not gaining a lot from it, I did a lot of research on guitar teachers in LA. I feel like I hit the jackpot with Vreny. Passionate, organized, efficient, talented and most important of all, knows how to transfer his knowledge to you in an easy way. He'll push you out of your comfort zone so that you keep learning and growing every week. The progress I made was far more than I had hoped for as a beginning recreational player. Outside of his strengths as a guitar instructor, he's also just a positive person to be around. He always ends the lessons with "Did you have fun?!" Always in a great mood, always focusing on the good. I looked forward to Wednesday nights just for my lesson. I since have had to relocate back to Chicago for work, but if I am ever back in Los Angeles, I will be back. HIGHLY recommended! read more

Vreny is hands down the best music teacher I have ever had. This includes various colleges and music schools. His approach is unlike anything I have been introduced to before. He integrates theory, technique, and passion together in a way that makes you progress at a rate you never would have dreamed possible. The great thing about Vreny's teaching style is that, if you are committed, you will emerge more than a great guitarist, you will emerge a musician who understands the amazing language of music. From beginner to pro, this is an amazing and patient teacher. You will never feel rushed with him, because he has a passion for your learning!! Thank You Vreny!!! read more

I've had the privilege of learning from vreny for close to 6 months. 2 words- fan-tastic! allright it's only 1 word but still. the thing with vreny is that he is immensely patient and an incredibly talented guitar player. i've learnt some pretty complicated stuff from him and even some bollywood stuff, which he had no problem with. oh did i mention that he has a terrific ear. he knows instantly what's going on. he also gives out great tip sheets, things i can work on and much more. if you're a beginner, been playing for a few years (like me) or even longer, you're bound to learn something from him. good luck in your search. read more

Vreny is certainly the best music teacher I've found. People have already described (quite accurately!) how personable, kind and professional he is. All true! Vreny really tunes in to your musical goals and helps you get there. He is a much better teaacher than I am a student but, nevertheless, I can see that I am making progress and I'm starting to make music!! Vreny is brilliant at explaining music theory and helping you include it in your music making tool kit. Every lesson is an adventure and sometimes they go unexpected places -- but never dull, always thoughtful. I never leave without having learned something that I want to build in to my music. He is simply an exceptional teacher. read more

Vreny is a masterful guitarist and an excellent teacher. If you're looking to advance your playing quicker than you thought possible then he's the guy for you. He'll help you improve your technique, your command of music theory, your ear training, and anything else that will make you a better player and musician. I'd advise you to be able to practice at least an hour a day so you can progress along his timeline. He's also very accommodating if you have a particular song you'd like to learn along way. If you're not able to make it to him, he also does Skype lessons. Enjoy... read more

Vreny is, in a word - fantastic. I was a 55 year old (emphasis on old) man who hacked around on guitar occasionally as a kid and adult; hadn't touched the instrument for 10+ years and decided to take lessons. Found a handful of teachers on Google and emailed them; Vreny was the only one who responded in a timely fashion. I went in with very specific ideas of what I wanted to learn (very interested in music theory but didn't want to learn to read music per se, wanted to learn technique as well as songs, leaned towards progressive and classic rock, interested in electric and acoustic). The lessons I receive are tailored to my specific desires and goals - not a "one-size fits all" approach that other teachers may use (other teachers - "all my students finish book 1, then move on to book 2, etc". NOT Vreny). Vreny is striving to make me not only a guy who can play guitar, but a guitarist and musician. He is really easy-going, pleasant, and a lot of fun, but is not the guy who will smile past your imperfections and say "that's perfect" when it isn't just to stroke your ego and make you feel good. Yet I never feel belittled or that I need to "perform" for him. THAT'S the kind of teaching I need and the kind of teaching that accelerates improvement. If you just want to learn how to play "Horse With No Name", Vreny can do that (and that's OK - I'm sure Vreny would accelerate and perfect your learning). If you want to go deep and learn the guitar, this man is fantastic. He is a great player, but great players are pretty common (pretty discouraging thought for someone learning to play). Great players with a great knowledge base AND the ability to teach it - THAT'S rare. Vreny is the man! read more