The Rock Guitar Mastery Program is adaptable to a variety of genres for mostly electric guitar lessons, and acoustic guitar students can also take this course of study!
When I watch Pete in this video, knowing that he came to me with little experience, I know I’ve done my job and the Richards Rock Academy method works. BUT, without Pete’s diligence, motivation, long-term vision, passion, and literally thousands of hours of practice, the method would have no meaning. In fact, if the student does not, through sheer will and determination, summon and conjure the intangible elements of guitar mastery into a musical performance, than the method would not even exist – it would only be theory or speculation. – Nate Richards
“You practice the guitar because the guitar IS a practice.” – Pete Napper RGS Podcast Interview
High school sophomore Jake O’Malley is our resident Periphery expert and performer. Jake has taken the Mastery Program to the next level by studying electric guitar technique, song coaching, collegiate-level music theory, and classical guitar on a weekly basis. He is currently embarking on an original music recording project with RRA teacher Eric Matelyan.
Mark earned his Level 1 Orange Strap. Read his testimonial below!
Charles earned his Rock Starter White Strap – he plays electric guitar and drums in our rock band program!
Testimonial from adult student of our teacher Pete Napper (former student, now an RRA teacher):
Pete, thanks for getting me through Level 1, looking forward to diving into Level 2!
Nate, you developed a great electric guitar program. As you know I dabbled with playing guitar for years, but never had any instruction that was this structured or goal-oriented. I used to get very overwhelmed and frustrated before, not knowing how I should spend my limited practice time. There is so many self teaching materials out there that I never knew where to start. That would lead me to not want to practice or play, which would result in very little progress in my playing and technique. I would maybe fool around with the same few songs I knew, probably playing them incorrectly to boot. Now it is even harder for me, with 4 kids and a job that requires me to travel quite a bit.But with your program, the requirements to progress through each level are clearly spelled out, plus I have a great and encouraging teacher to help along the way. Having a goal is very helpful to me and motivates me to practice, get better, and get to that next level. Your program spells out exactly what I need to be working on, which allows for very efficient practice sessions.By the way, although I have “played” guitar for a while, Level 1 was no cakewalk! It was very comprehensive and challenging. I am looking forward to working on the Level 2 materials, which I’m sure will be difficult, but the end result will be very rewarding to me.So I just wanted to thanks to both you and Pete, and keep up the great work! – B.
Students can take personalized lessons tailored to their own interests, or they can elect to follow the Rock Guitar Mastery Program™ in addition to pursuing individual interests. RGMP is a 7 level program in which students periodically perform graduation tests to move on to the next level. Each level test includes:
Students who pass successfully receive a color-coded guitar strap symbolizing each level and a certificate stamped with our company seal of approval. Scroll down to read WHY you should follow this program!
A 7th grader and a 12th grader both playing Dream Theater, a very advanced progressive rock band with guitarist John Petrucci!
Mark’s testimonial:
I’m an adult student at RRA. I have a full time job with a lot of travel, and I have a busy family life. I do not have much time to practice throughout the week, so I need to make sure my practice time counts. Before I came to RRA, I wasted countless hours searching the internet looking for easy ways to become a proficient guitar player. I finally realized that there was no “easy” way. I lacked the fundamentals and the proper methods and techniques to take my guitar abilities to the next level. Since I started at RRA, I have participated in the Richards Rock Academy Rock Guitar Mastery Program. The program provides the skills that I believe are necessary to become an advanced guitar player. Some of the items included in the program are: lead guitar methods and techniques, rhythm methods, improvisation, music theory, music reading, scales, etc. For me, the biggest benefits of the RGS Rock Guitar Mastery Program include: learning the fundamentals, focusing my practice time, providing me with the building blocks to improve my guitar playing abilities and most importantly, confidence. Since entering the program, my confidence level has increased dramatically, and I know my confidence will continue to increase as I progress through the next levels of the program. The program has challenged me. As a result of the program and my teacher, I am proud of the guitar player I have become. After successfully passing Level 1 and 2, I feel very confident that the program will continue to improve my guitar playing abilities that will take me to the next level. I highly recommend the RGS Rock Guitar Mastery Program to anyone who wants to learn to play the guitar with the proper methods and structure that I believe are needed to become a proficient and confident guitar player.
P.S. Check out the links to the Richards Rock Academy bands and watch some of the videos. In my opinion, what the RRA team is doing with the rock band school program is amazing! Look at the venues they have played at. It’s unbelievable!
Mark
Please excuse me wearing a tank top – I recorded this in the middle of the night in my basement…