Jasper Nelson is a guitar and songwriting instructor in NYC

With over sixteen years of playing experience between his childhood home in San Francisco and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jasper Nelson brings his passion for music to New York City.

Email: Jaspernelson24@gmail.com

Phone: 415-298-7619

Driven by an unwavering obsession with sound and stories, Jasper has spent most of his life exploring everything the world of guitar and songwriting has to offer.

Now, he wants to help others love the guitar.

From bluegrass flatpicking to classic rock solos, Jasper’s love for all things music has given him an incredibly diverse and fluid foundation on the guitar. His early training in both the blues and jazz theory has given him the confidence to not only tackle any piece of music thrown his way, but also help others first find joy with the guitar. He is guided by the philosophy that every moment holding the guitar should be fun, even if your fingers hurt.

Lesson Information

  • All beginner and intermediate players are welcome to learn guitar, songwriting, or both!

  • All styles and genres are welcome for both electric and acoustic, excluding intricate finger-picking, Flamenco, or full metal shredding.

  • Lessons are in-person (recommended) or over Zoom, usually at the residence of the client.

  • Lesson length is 45min-1hr depending on client’s needs.

  • Rates vary depending on frequency of instruction.

  • With a new client, the first session is used as a consultation. Before we pick up our instruments, it is crucial that I, the instructor, have a firm understanding of where you are as a player, what you want to learn, and most importantly, what will make the guitar most fun for you. This sets a healthy foundation for both of us as we begin the journey together!

  • As we get into the rhythm of things, the lesson plans will be structured and adapted to fit your playing goals as will as your practice habits. For beginners, it will be about feeling confident and having fun with the guitar. We will learn all the basic chords and theory by simply learning the songs you love (as long as they have guitar in them). After all, there’s no oe more popular than the kid who can break out all the songs at he campfire.

  • An intermediate player is not only someone who knows the basics of the instrument, but also has established good practice habits and knows specifically where they want to improve. Maybe you know your basic open chords, but you want to be able to solo over them, or perhaps you really want to be able to sing while playing fluidly. All of this and so much more can be accomplished with a little guidance, a little finger pain, and a lot of practice!

  • Caroline

    I worked with Jasper for over a year in Madison when I just wanted to know music and move fluently around a guitar. I have a very busy schedule and with all the moving parts I am unable to practice as much as I would like to. Jasper kept advancing my skills little by little. I am constantly surprised by how much I know and how  well I play even though I don’t practice.... some kind of subliminal learning going on. Jasper can play anything, hear anything! I have learned how to write my own songs to playing full Pink Floyd albums to Phoebe Bridgers songs. While not always conventional, Jasper makes sure you’re always having fun and never bogged down by the boring things like music theory.

    Jacob

    I’ve been playing guitar for a few years without making much progress. I have progressed more in just a few months with Jasper than all of my years combined. Why is this??

    1. He loves, loves, loves music.

    2. You get to play music that interests you. 

    3. He meets you where you are at your skill level.

    4. He tailors lessons to get you to wherever you want to be.

    5. He has an encyclopedic knowledge about all kinds of music that he augments with a solid music theory underpinning.

    6. He is a brilliant, creative musician.

    7. The lessons are always fascinating and fun. 

    James and Sebastian

    My son is learning electric guitar and I’m learning acoustic—Jasper switches seamlessly between my clumsy fingers and a 10-year-old who soaks up guitar like a sponge. He knows how to change his plans to fit each of us and meet us at our level while still pushing us to try new things. He’s great at balancing real skill building with a few wild stretch goals, and a deep love of music of all kinds runs through his teaching. He’s building knowledge and passion as well as the nuts and bolts of playing. As my son puts it, “he just knows how to explain everything so I understand it.”

Listen Now to “Under Cold Country” by Blue County Pistol

On the debut EP by his Madison-based country rock project, Blue County Pistol, Jasper demonstrates his refined and expressive style over the five songs. As the band’s songwriter and leader, they are a cohesive expression of his final years in Wisconsin.

Discography

After starting his first band at age eight, Jasper has made his mark on numerous records and performances. Here are some of his more recent projects.

“Under Cold Country” - Blue County Pistol

Displaying his abilities as a songwriter and player, “Under Cold Country” by Blue County Pistol found Jasper returning to his Americana roots. .

“Expect That” - Mission Trip

“Expect That” is the only release by the short-lived post-punk band Mission Trip, a pandemic project by Jasper and various roommates in Madison. While he shared songwriting duties, tracks such as “Driver’s Seat,” “Stranger Ranger,” and “Station” center his lead guitar playing more than other projects such as Blue County Pistol.

Various Solo Releases (2018 - 2020)

Jasper recorded his first song in his bedroom at sixteen, and two years later, he began releasing a stream of singles and EP’s under his name. Self-identifying as alt-country, projects such as “1563 Page St” and “Long Way Home” find Jasper honing the blunt, emotional ,and simplistic writing that would reemerge five years later with Blue County Pistol.