Alexander Baboian

Electric Guitar Lessons in Delft and Scheveningen

Hey There! My name is Alexander Baboian. I’m a jazz guitarist and I teach guitar lessons at my home in Delft and in my studio space in Scheveningen, near the Statenkwartier. My lessons are perfect for more experienced guitarists who want to take their playing to the next level, as well as adults who are motivated to start playing guitar. The endless possibilities of the electric guitar offer everything you need to explore a wide variety of genres.

Improvisation

To improvise interesting solos, whether in jazz, Latin, blues, R&B, funky styles, or your own songs, you need a solid understanding of music theory and strong technique. Improvising might feel awkward at first, but with targeted guidance and specific exercises, you’ll make great progress. It’s important to analyze and play along with solos by your favorite guitarists. I’ll help you discover how to do this and how to apply your knowledge of scales, pentatonic scales, chords, jazz harmony, and the cycle of fifths and fourths to your playing.

All Types of Guitars

Would you like to take lessons on hollow-body archtop, semi-hollow, or solid-body guitars with an amplifier, as well as on steel-string flat-top acoustic or nylon-string classical guitars? I am knowledgeable of both pick style and finger style playing.

Passion for Jazz

My own playing is deeply rooted in jazz, so if you want to discover—and play—the musical language of legends like Jim Hall, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, George Benson, Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Bill Frisell, and Peter Bernstein, then we’re definitely a good fit! I have given workshops on Jazz style guitar internationally. 

What do we do in the lessons?

• Understanding the fretboard 
• Learning the notes, 
• Playing in all positions on the neck
• Using good fingering technique
• Smooth transitions - playing with good rhythm and timing
• Lead Guitar - playing melodies, licks and guitar solos
• Rhythm guitar - learning about different types of chords, progressions and strumming
• Picking styles
• Bending
• Guitar riffs
• Legato techniques (hammer-ons, pull-offs, bends, slides)
• Muting techniques

What else can you expect?

• music theory, reading sheet music, tabs, 
• chord symbols, jazz harmony
• improvisation, solos
• software/hardware for your guitar
• learn classic music from a variety of genres
• writing your own songs
• mixing, Ableton, electronic production, effects, MIDI

Customized Lessons

If you want to build a solid musical foundation, master the right technique, and truly learn to play the guitar seriously, personalized instruction and a well-structured approach are the best way to go. I studied at one of the most renowned schools for contemporary music in the world. Using the most important textbooks and teaching methods, you’ll get exactly the guidance and inspiration you’re looking for!

Lesson location

I teach lessons at my home in central Delft, near Oostpoort. My home studio is easily accessible and close to Nootdorp, Pijnacker, Ypenburg, Delfgauw, and Berkel en Rodenrijs. I am also available for guitar lessons at a fully equipped studio space in Scheveningen.

Trial Lesson

A trial lesson is the perfect way to get to know each other. I’d love to hear you play and am curious to learn about your goals and wishes! You’ll immediately get a sense of my teaching style. We’ll discuss how the 5- or 10-lesson packages work.

Should I buy or rent a guitar?

I am knowledgeable of the local guitar shops and can help you find a good guitar and the right gear, and I’m happy to give you unbiased advice on whether to rent or buy.

Want to write your own songs?

I’m also a composer, and I’ll give you all the information you need about melodies, jazz harmony, song structures, and how to creatively capture your musical inspiration in your own compositions. Mixing your own music using software on your laptop—Ableton is one of my specialties, and I’d be happy to help you with it.

Effects, Pedals, DAWs

Of course, I can also take you deep into the world of music technology, including gear, synthesizers, audio interfaces, PA systems, effects pedals, MIDI, DAWs, and more. Discover how to use them in the best and most creative ways!

About Me

I was born and raised in the U.S., but I’ve been living as an expat for some time now (including in Armenia, Germany, and Belgium), and I absolutely love living and working in the Netherlands. I earned my bachelor’s degree in guitar performance at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, where I specialized in jazz. I also hold master’s degrees from the Yerevan State Conservatory and the Royal Conservatory of Antwerp, where I specialized in composition and electronic music. I have performed at major festivals such as the Washington DC Jazz Festival, Boston Beantown Jazz Festival, JEN Jazz Conference, and Morgenland Festival Osnabrück, as well as at venues like Bimhuis Amsterdam and A-Trane Berlin, Scullers Boston, Music Village Brussels, and Hotclub Gent.