Guitar Lessons in Longmont, CO
Guitar is where most musical journeys start. At Mojo's, John McKay, Shawn Cunnane, and Taylor Smith teach it, from a first-timer's first chord to a teenager building their own set list.
Why Learn Guitar at Mojo's
Guitar is the most requested instrument in Longmont. Here's the difference: dedicated guitar instructors, real studio space, and a teaching style built around the music you actually want to play, from jazz standards to your kid's first campfire chords. Acoustic or electric, beginner or returning player, we'll match you with the right teacher.
John McKay
Playing guitar for 40 years, composing his own material for nearly as long.
Shawn Cunnane
Jazz performance degree from Temple University; worked as a musician, instructor, and recording artist for 13 years in Los Angeles.
Taylor Smith
Started playing at age 12; performing live in venues by age 14.
A Guitar Program for Every Age, Ability and Style
| Musical Style | Core Techniques |
|---|---|
| Rock / Metal | Power chords, palm muting, alternate picking, pinch harmonics, two-hand tapping, and sweep arpeggios |
| Blues / Classic Rock | Expressive string bending, vocal vibrato, double stops, minor/major pentatonic blending, and slide work |
| Acoustic / Fingerstyle | Travis picking, thumb-bass independence, percussive body slaps, open tunings, and natural harmonics |
| Singer-Songwriter / Folk | Capo transposition, chord embellishments (sus/add9 fills), bass note walk-downs, dynamic vocal-support strumming, and hybrid picking |
| Jazz / Fusion | Shell chords, drop-2 voicings, syncopated rhythm comping, arpeggiated soloing, and chromatic passing tones |
| Funk / R&B / Neo-Soul | 16th-note scratching/skanking, sliding chord shapes, hammer-on double-stops, and tight left-hand muting |
Regardless of whether you choose an electric or acoustic guitar, every student builds on these core playing mechanics to make progress fast, painless, and fun:
- Ergonomics & Tension-Free Posture: Establishing a relaxed body position—whether sitting or standing—with neutral wrist angles and a light fret-hand thumb anchor to prevent joint strain and play for hours without fatigue.
- Clean Fretting & Arch Technique: Arching fingers to fret directly on the tips right behind the fret wire, eliminating fret buzz and ensuring open neighboring strings ring clearly.
- Two-Hand Synchronization: Pairing pick strokes or finger plucks cleanly with fretting fingers so notes sound crisp and articulate without missed strokes or lagging timing.
- The “Pendulum” Strumming Arm: Keeping the strumming hand in constant, relaxed 8th- or 16th-note motion, allowing rhythm and chord changes to flow without pauses or hesitations.
- Fretboard Navigation & Chord Geometry: Demystifying the neck by learning movable root notes, open chord shapes, and essential barre chords, giving you the ability to play songs anywhere on the neck.
- Two-Hand Muting Control: Using the fretting fingers’ flat pads and the picking-hand palm to keep unplayed strings silent, giving your chords and lead solos a polished, studio-quality sound.
"I was a student at Mojo's a few years ago and I had an absolutely fabulous experience. Paul and Jessica are great teachers and I look forward to coming back soon."
Read more reviews on Google Reviews and Facebook Reviews.