Jonathan Averbook
About
What's up! I’m a guitarist and bassist with over 20 years of playing experience and a deep love for music that’s both powerful and personal. I'm a founding member of Saticöy, an alt-rock/punk band based in Los Angeles that blends high-energy drive with emotional depth and catchy songwriting. We've spent years writing, recording, and performing original music, and I bring that same passion and creativity into every lesson I teach.
Teaching Style
My approach to teaching is hands-on, fun, and adaptable. I focus on helping students play the music they love - whether that's punk, rock, pop, emo, or anything in between - while also building a solid foundation of technique, rhythm, and musical intuition. I specialize in getting players to express themselves confidently, understand the "why" behind what they're playing, and develop real-world skills like learning by ear, writing riffs, and jamming in a band context.
Whether you're just picking up a guitar or bass for the first time or you're looking to take your playing to the next level, I’ll meet you where you are. I’ve helped students go from playing basic chords to writing their own songs, and I always aim to make music something you look forward to doing, not just practicing.
Curriculum
I like to teach by ear as a way to build real musical intuition - not just memorizing notes or tabs, but truly hearing what’s going on in a song and understanding how it works. I believe ear training is one of the most valuable tools a musician can develop, especially for guitar and bass, where so much of the learning happens outside of sheet music.
In my lessons, I guide students to pick up melodies, chord progressions, and basslines by listening closely, using reference points like intervals, rhythm patterns, and feel. I’ll often break down how to identify a key, find the root notes, and recognize common chord shapes or progressions. The goal is to connect the dots between what you hear and what your fingers do - so eventually, you can figure out songs on your own, write original parts more naturally, and jam confidently with other musicians.
Even when working on technical skills or theory, I always loop it back to the ear, because I’ve found that’s where the most meaningful progress and creativity come from.
Credentials & Affiliations
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Founding member, guitarist, and bassist for Saticöy (alt-rock/punk band based in Los Angeles)
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15+ years of experience playing guitar and bass
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10+ years of songwriting, recording, and live performance experience, including:
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Smash Haus Music Group Intern, Apr 2017 - Aug 2017,
• Assisted with post sound production on Calm Island’s “Badanamu”
• Reviewed and edited Bompop Radio’s podcasts
• Spotted and implemented SFX for Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch”
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Proficient in music theory, ear training, and studio recording
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Experience mentoring and teaching beginner to intermediate players, including:
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School of Rock Music Teacher, Sep 2017 - Feb 2024, Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
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Background in content creation and musical education through online platforms (e.g., Discord, TikTok, Twitch)
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Bachelor of Science in Communication (Major in Music Production) at Ohio University: I have completed most of the music production track through the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism