Today we’d like to introduce you to Gaurav Bali.
Hi Gaurav, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve actually been interested in music since I was eight years old. I started playing violin in school in the third grade and actually really enjoyed it! Unfortunately for my violin teacher, MTV was getting huge and as soon as I saw my first rock videos it was all over for the violin!
A week before my 10th birthday I took my first guitar lesson and the rest as they say is history! By the time I was a teenager it wasn’t uncommon for me to be practicing 5 hours a day. When I was 15, I found an amazing teacher and by the time I was 18 that teacher opened a school and asked me to teach the beginners. He’s the one who got me into teaching guitar, and I’ve loved it ever since!
Along with teaching, I was in a national level signed original rock band for 15 years, and we also did an enormous amount of touring. I’ve actually performed in every state except for Hawaii!
In 2016, I moved to Nashville where I continued to teach while performing with various country artists and a pop band. In 2022, I did a few huge rock festival shows with acclaimed singer Tony Harnell (from the rock band “TNT”) in his solo electric band.
Finally in 2022, I moved back home to New York and currently looking for beta students to test my new course on mastering Classic Rock Guitar. The course will be unique because I’ll also do weekly group lessons so I can answer any questions that the students might have!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think any artist has had a smooth road, nor should they. Your life experiences are what you draw from when you’re creating any type of art… You realize eventually that all of those experiences mold you into the artist that you eventually become… In other words, I can’t really think of too many artists that have had easy lives…at least not any GREAT artists….:)
I think it’s safe to say that the initial struggle that every artist faces is how to actually make a living. Luckily for me, I had teaching to help pay the bills while my original band was touring. It’s pretty crazy to say this, but looking back, I basically made no money being in a signed original band for 15 years – I got “paid” with amazing experiences…but like I said, that’s just part of being an artist. Going through the struggles proves to yourself what you’re made of.
That’s why teaching was always perfect for me. It was a “job” that didn’t feel like work, and that feeling continues to this day!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Currently, I’m in the process of launching a course that helps guitarists 40 and up finally master their favorite Classic Rock Songs. Throughout my 30 years of teaching, I’ve helped countless players with the the details that they’re missing to finally play this style of music with confidence. Many guitarists get 90% of the way there, but when they play the songs it still doesn’t sound quite right…I know how to help with that last 10%.
My course will be unique because every student will not only have the ability to go through the program at their own pace, but also be able to ask me any questions they have during weekly group classes. Another added bonus will be the community of other students going through the course encouraging each other! I’m so excited to start helping more players than I ever could doing one on one lessons!
I’ll also be launching a matching Youtube channel that provides value to players that are currently frustrated with trying to play their favorite classic rock songs!
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I’m extremely grateful that I have the opportunity to teach guitar and bring the joy of music into people’s lives…many of them have been frustrated for years and there’s no better feeling then helping them finally transform their playing.
I might be biased, but It’s the best job in the world and I’m blessed to be able to do this every day!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://classicrockguitarmastery.com
- Instagram: classicrockguitarmastery
- Youtube: @classicrockguitarmastery
- Other: https://gauravbali.com
