KEEL guitarist Bryan Jay is now offering private one-on-one guitar lessons online or in his home studio.

With over 40+ years as a recording artist, songwriter, touring musician, music publisher, licensing specialist, and guitar instructor—bringing insider knowledge and battle-tested techniques to help you succeed on and off the stage.
Custom lesson plans designed specifically for your skill level, musical style, and ambitions—equipping you with the tools and structure to achieve real, lasting results faster, while beginners build a rock-solid foundation from day one.
Step into Bryan Jay’s Guitar Zone community, where beginners can build the knowledge you need in a judgment-free space. Post your practice clips, get honest but encouraging feedback, ask questions anytime, and watch yourself improve every single day.
Imagine learning guitar from a seasoned pro who's lived the rock life—from KEEL's arena tours and recordings to decades of songwriting and music production. Bryan Jay started sharing his passion early, teaching guitar at young age of 19 at Wilson’s Music in his hometown of Carson, California. He honed his skills at Los Angeles Harbor College in Wilmington, CA, before joining Keel in 1984, and later returned to UCLA and El Camino College in the late 1990s for deeper study. Now based in Canyon Lake, CA, Bryan offers flexible one-on-one lessons online or in his home studio, fully customized to your skill level, goals, and what excites you most about music. From building solid foundations (chords, scales, tuning, rhythm, etc) to exploring lead techniques, songwriting, theory, and more, his approachable, encouraging style makes progress feel achievable and enjoyable. Whether you're starting from scratch, prepping to join a band, conquering your favorite riffs, or simply playing for the pure joy of it, Bryan welcomes students of every age and background. As he says, "I've taught kids as young as 7 years old to retirees in their 70s." Bryan is here to guide you with patience and expertise, helping you thrive and reach your full potential as a musician.
Learn the key components of your guitar (headstock, neck, fretboard, body, bridge, strings, tuning keys, etc...) so you can talk about and care for your guitar like a pro.
Tuning Your Guitar — Step-by-step methods using a clip-on tuner, app, or by ear—get in standard tuning quickly and keep your guitar sounding great every time.
Learn proper holding techniques, posture, and hand placement so the guitar becomes an easy, natural extension of yourself (great for avoiding sore hands bad habits early on).
Easy Beginner Chords — Dive into the easiest open chords first—the ones used in hundreds of popular songs—so you can start strumming real music without frustration.
Learn the Major Scale (The "Natural" Foundation) & How Chords/Scales Are Built From It Unlock the key to understanding almost all music—start simple and build from there!
And so much more!
Absolutely! Learning guitar as a beginner is all about consistent practice and discovering the method that clicks best for you. I've successfully taught students from as young as 7 years old all the way up to retirees in their 70's.
Either works great—there's no strict "right" choice! Electric guitars are often more forgiving on sore fingers thanks to lighter strings and lower string action (easier to press down), which can make early practice more comfortable and fun. Steel-string acoustics build finger strength and calluses faster while teaching clean technique (mistakes are harder to hide without effects), but they can feel tougher at first. For young kids or anyone worried about finger pain, a nylon-string (classical) guitar is usually the easiest on the fingertips—soft strings, less tension, and super gentle for tiny hands. Start with whatever excites you most and matches the music you love (rock/electric vibes? Go electric; folk/singer-songwriter? Acoustic shines).
You will need a computer and a good internet connection. I use Zoom Workplace. If you have an electric guitar you will need some kind of amplifier.
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