REVIEWS

Ivy M

1 review • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar 1 week ago NEW

If one day you wake up and think to yourself, "Wow, I should know how to play the dusty guitar I own!" you're in the right place.

It can be intimidating to pick up a new hobby, especially one you may or may not have failed to learn in the past. Yet here, none of that matters! Regardless of your age or skill level, Tod is an excellent instructor that will meet you where you're at.

I wouldn't recommend going anywhere else.

patricia dicostanzo

4 reviews • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar 4 weeks ago NEW

I began guitar lessons in November 2025 as a senior citizen who wanted to learn but had absolutely no experience. Starting at ground zero was intimidating but my teacher made the process comfortable. His patience, guidance & encouragement mean so much, as I take baby steps into learning to play guitar. I highly recommend him to any generation venturing into guitar lessons.

Andrew Woolford

5 reviews • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar 5 days ago

I have been a student of Tod’s on and off for over 25 years and “off” only when life gets in the way. I keep coming back. He has an incredible knack for meeting you where you are and helping to advance. An amazing instructor for beginners to more advanced!

Ivy L.

2 reviews • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar 5 days ago

Tod is an excellent guitar instructor. As an adult learning from scratch, I really appreciate how patient, funny, and knowledgeable he is about music/ guitar. I have enjoyed taking lessons with him. I highly recommend him as a guitar instructor to anyone interested in learning guitar.

Joel Afanador

1 review • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar 2 weeks ago NEW

My son has been taking guitar lessons here for a few weeks now, and he looks forward to every session. The instruction is clear and encouraging, and it’s been a great experience so far. Highly recommend.

Loredana Morales

Local Guide • 23 reviews • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar 2 weeks ago NEW

My son has been learning a lot with Tods teaching method's he is very flexible with time my son is always happy to come because he is very enthusiastic to teach which helps my son learn

Rajeev Lakra

2 reviews • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar 3 weeks ago NEW

I’m a complete novice when it comes to guitar and Tod’s been patiently guiding me through the process. He’s encouraging and has a knack for getting you to keep learning new stuff.I went from not being able to name strings to memorizing chords to learning songs in a few months.

Caden Frost

2 reviews • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar 3 weeks ago NEW

I have played guitar now for just over 8 years. And the most recent 3 years I have worked with Tod my playing has skyrocketed! Tod doesn’t only bring structure and rhythm to your playing but so much fun and creativity as well that makes playing guitar so enjoyable and learning does not feel like a chore with him. Most of all though is not how good you will get with his lessons if you keep up with the work but the experience of Tod himself. Tod come into lesson with a smile on his face every time and he always has a way to make your day better whether it is with a old school joke or just a fun one of his many stories. Tod is not only one of the best teachers out there but he is even a better person! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Lindsay Marshall

5 reviews • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar 3 weeks ago NEW My son loves his virtual lessons with Tod! He makes it so easy, you almost forget you’re not in person. Tod’s gentle approach, overall demeanor, patience, and positivity have left my son feeling confident and motivated to learn more. Highly recommend!

Ezequiel Alvarez

1 review • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar 14 weeks ago

I love the teaching system that Tod uses to explain music theory that helps me to play the guitar.He’s always paying attention to detail, he’s very patient, friendly and happy to answer all my questions.The location is clean and cozy.I can assure you that the structure process he follows to teach is awesome.

wkomianos

5 reviews • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar 14 weeks ago

Tod Baharian is a first rate guitar instructor. His teaching techniques, supplied materials and patience has contributed to a very positive experience.For anyone wishing to learn guitar, or like me, coming back to guitar after a long pause, I highly recommend Tod and Hillwood Guitar.

Kevin Driscoll

1 review • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar 15 weeks ago

Tod is an absolutely outstanding guitar instructor! I say that having had 2 previous guitar instructors. His knowledge of music theory is great and easy to understand, very important when trying to understand the foundation of chords. His kind and gentle demeanor reduces any performance anxiety when trying to demonstrate anything during a lesson, very important. In short, I highly recommend him !

Kim Luppino

7 reviews • 1 photo

starstarstarstarstar 15 weeks ago

Tod has been working with our son for 5 years now. His ability to play acoustic and electric guitar is incredible. Michael has learned so much with his time w Tod and continues to enrich his love for music. Bravo

Navin Nair

2 reviews • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar 19 weeks ago

Todd is such a great instructor, I’ve been coming to him for years, extremely knowledgeable and easy to learn from.

J Koeppl

1 review • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar 19 weeks ago

I have been taking guitar lessons from Tod for around 6 months and I have had a lot of fun learning about guitar have learned and memorized lots of cords and have had a blast while doing it I hope I can continue learning from him and getting better together!!!

Watts Erb

6 reviews • 1 photo

starstarstarstarstar 19 weeks ago

Tod is an excellent instructor and fun to work with. I’ve been taking guitar lessons with him for around 6 months and have loved it. He’s patient, encouraging, and truly takes an interest in helping people achieve their goals. He is incredibly knowledgeable about music, and articulate enough to explain it in a way that those of us without a musical background can understand and appreciate. 10/10 would recommend

Peter Tartamella

1 review • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar Jun 10, 2024

Tod was recommended by a friend. Not only is he a talented teacher and player he's one of the nicest people I've met in a while. He teaches guitar playing in a way that's easy to understand and I highly recommend him.

Marc Levey

5 reviews • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar Jun 5, 2024

I have been working with Tod Baharian with guitar lessons. He is top notch, practical and a technical guitarist with whom I have learned much. In short he is special.

Cara Tracey

1 review • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar May 15, 2024

Tod is absolutely fantastic!!! I went to him as a teen when I was first learning guitar and he helped me get started reading notes, understanding music theory, and playing my favorite tunes. I took a hiatus from guitar and recently got back in contact with him to pick it back up and this time learn more about songwriting. He is extremely talented and has a lot of experience with all things guitar. And not to mention he is a wonderful human :) If you need a guitar teacher look no further!!

Mariko LeBaron

3 reviews • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar Mar 28, 2024

Tod is now teaching our third daughter how to play the guitar. He's the best!!

Edward Blaney

Local Guide • 11 reviews • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar Mar 19, 2024

I have been a student of Tod's since 2007 - Tod took me from someone who had never picked up a guitar to being able to learn and play any song I choose. The key was his ability to teach the foundation first and then build off that knowledge - he was patient and went at a pace where I steadily improved, and most of all loved every second. You will not find a better coach, tutor, musical mind than Tod. He truly is one of one.........Edward Blaney

Will Atkin

1 review • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar Feb 21, 2024

Tod has a unique way of taking complex ideas and making them simple, understandable and usable. He also is dedicated to his craft which shines through with his positively contagious attitude towards music. Best teacher I’ve ever had!

Tom Yerinides

8 reviews • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar Feb 12, 2024

Great teacher who has helped me immensely! Whether you're a beginner or intermediate, Tod will help you understand theory, writing or just song learning.

Mark Berns

2 reviews • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar Feb 10, 2024

I was looking to take another stab at learning guitar as an adult and found Tod. So glad. He really knows how to make the fundamentals understandable and has the chops to tie everything to examples of styles and songs I’ve heard and hope to play.

Peter Maguire

14 reviews • 2 photos

starstarstarstarstar Jan 26, 2024

Tod is a great guitar instructor and heck of a nice guy. I have been a student for two years now and appreciate Tod’s expertise and experience in music and especially his abilities as a teacher. Tod regularly reads the room as to where I am on any given lesson day and offers up options that always heightens my interest. Lotta fun, enjoyment, and progress.

Corbett Smith

4 reviews • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar Jan 24, 2024

Tod has been my instructor for the better part of 2 years. He is an incredibly genuine person and equally as impressive as an instructor. He understands the background and history of music at its core, and simplifies concepts that otherwise would be impossible to comprehend without a music background. That has allowed me to progress greatly in a short period of time. I could not recommend him more as an instructor and am extremely grateful to have found him!

Robert Pyon

1 review • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar Jan 14, 2024

Tod has a deep understanding of music theory and how it applies to the guitar. This is particularly helpful to me as I have always been mystified by how people use theory to make music, build solos, etc.He is also knowledgeable about maintaining and caring for your guitar, building up speed/tempo in your playing, and much more.

Diego Tamayo

1 review • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar Jan 4, 2024

Tod is an amazing guitar teacher! He is adept at a very wide range of musical styles and can teach beginners or more advanced players. In my case, he teaches me how to play Brazilian Bossa Nova, but he has also taught me American Songbook and folk songs. I’ve been with Tod for over ten years and enjoy our lessons very much!!

Mark Sargent

1 review • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar Jan 3, 2024

I have been taking guitar lessons from Tod Baharian for several years now, with great success. In my decades of playing, I've had many guitar teachers. Tod is profoundly different from all of them. In particular, he has a very organized mind, which means he has a very systematic approach to learning guitar. Tod has taught me the CAGED approach to guitar. I've learned the chords and scales that go with each CAGED position. With this general knowledge, one can learn any song and, over time, one can hear the chords and scales when they are used in songs. I think this is the best approach for learning guitar. While I started studying with Tod as an intermediate guitarist, my daughter, who has just started playing, also studies with Tod and is making great progress. Since COVID, we've been taking lessons remotely via FaceTime, and Tod is very good at remote instruction.

Jason Murphy

1 review • 0 photos

starstarstarstarstar Jan 3, 2024

I've been taking guitar lessons from Tod for almost five years now and he is an excellent instructor. As a teacher, he is extremely knowledgeable, patient, and supportive. Tod is clearly passionate about music and teaching, which comes through in every lesson.As a guitarist himself, Tod is a talented musician. His skill level allows him to demonstrate techniques clearly and provide helpful feedback and tips during lessons. I've become a much better guitarist thanks to him.Beyond just the music, Tod has been an extremely kind and encouraging person to learn from. He celebrates every accomplishment, no matter how small, and always inspires me to keep improving. He tailors his lessons to my personal goals and musical interests, which ensures I look forward to each lesson.

I highly recommend Tod for anyone looking to start guitar lessons or improve their guitar skills. His enthusiasm, talent, and thoughtful teaching style have helped me progress faster than I ever expected. I'm grateful to have found such a fantastic teacher!

Maddy

“Tod is a wonderful teacher. He finds a perfect balance between the technical aspects of learning guitar and learning songs that I ask to learn. I look forward to my lessons every week.”

Thayer

“Tod is an amazing teacher. Instead of following a rote path of instruction, he lets students pick the type of music they want to play, and then adapts his teaching style to impart the necessary techniques and music theory along the way. He believes that if playing is fun and rewarding, then students will continually push themselves to learn more. He has helped me reach a place I never thought possible.”

Tyer

“Tod’s lessons are so great because he lets us play what we want.” and “Tod’s a great teacher because he explains everything necessary about playing the guitar."

Dennis

“In all of my years playing bass, Tod is by far my best teacher and is always on task and focused on the lesson because he really seems to care about the student and the students progression on the instrument.”

Billy

"I love going to my lessons every week. I look forward to them throughout every week and during the lessons, I learn so much about guitar playing and writing, music, equipment, gigs and everything there is to know about guitar. I really do enjoy the lessons so much."

Peter

“Lessons with Tod have not only taught me to be determined and dedicated, they have allowed me to be the person I am today”.

Tommy

"Tod has always been an influential teacher to me. In fact, his skills and teaching abilities have enabled me to become a better player and more musically inclined. His instructing method has led me from the basics of reading music to discussing uses of a Mixolydian mode. Not only has Tod been an outstanding teacher, but also a great friend who I have had more fun with on Wednesday nights. I can't tell you what a difference Tod has made in my playing and ease on the fretboard."

"I have been taking lessons for just over 2 years…..my expectations were surpassed because I can read music, play the songs that I always dreamed of playing, and most of all, am completely enjoying myself......the fundamentals Tod taught right from the beginning are now starting to really show……I could not say enough about Tod as a teacher.”

Dylan

“Playing guitar with Tod is a lot of fun and he is a great teacher and it is easy to learn when he is teaching you. He always keeps it interesting and exciting and you can decide what you want to play. I really look forward to guitar lessons every week with Tod! "

Mark

"One summer my brother just played the guitar in my face and I got envious! So for my birthday I got myself a nice guitar and lessons with Tod. I couldn’t practice too much at home, but I had a great experience when I started jamming. It is great.”

Donald

"Tod has not only been an excellent teacher, but a mentor as well. I highly recommend Tod, not only as a guitar teacher, but as an individual. He has had a positive influence on my life, from the beginning and still to this day. He is perfect for young people, who are looking to learn guitar the right way, from the onset.”

Megan

"In all of the phases of learning guitar that I’ve passed through there always seems to be a few difficult steps to get to the next level. Tod has always helped bring me through those steps. This has taught me that with determination I can do anything."