Emily Zimmer Shares Her Advice For Music Students of All Levels

Top Lessonface teacher Emily Zimmer is one of the top teachers and a student favorite on the platform, which has led to her achieving Lessonface Loog Teacher of the Year in 2020, as well as Rock Guitar Teacher of the Year in 2019. She has 14+ years of teaching under her belt, along with her experience as an active session musician, performer, songwriter, and recording artist. 

Emily has a gift when it comes to teaching. We've been lucky enough to see her light up a Zoom room with hundreds of kiddos learning to play guitar on their Loogs for the first time. Do you know how hard it is to keep the attention of that many kids under 5? Emily does it with ease. 

We've also seen her demonstrate her abilities as a teacher with the countless students she's inspired over the years. Her students can't say enough about how much Emily has helped them when it comes to achieving their music goals.  From beginners to experienced musicians, she encourages every student to be the best they can be. 

For all these reasons and more, Emily Zimmer was the obvious choice for our next teacher spotlight. We asked her some questions about her journey as a musician, her musical influences, and what her favorite parts about teaching are. 

What was the first instrument you played?

I started playing the trumpet at age 7 or 8, after the school music teachers demonstrated some instruments to each of the elementary school grades.  Learning a bit about several of our school's band instruments set my soul on fire.

Who are some of your musical influences?

If you'd asked me that question at the age at which I started playing the trumpet, I'd have said Boyz II Men and Bryan Adams.  A few years later I discovered the Notorious B.I.G., Janet Jackson, Alice In Chains, and Smashing Pumpkins.  How's that for a "put a '90s kid's playlists on shuffle" situation?  In high school, I went to punk, emo, and jam-band shows and had Dashboard Confessional, Dave Matthews Band, and Phish in my zip-up CD carrier.  I'll fast forward to today.  Some artists I'm crazy about include Yola, Chris Stapleton, Opeth, and this song I keep hearing on indie radio - I think it's "The Only Heartbreaker" by Mitski.  The list is endless.

What do you like most about teaching? How long have you been teaching online?

I enjoy providing clear instructions as to how to achieve one's goal.  I enjoy filling in the missing fundamental information more experienced players might be missing, and helping beginners establish a thorough, well-rounded foundation.  I enjoy designing curricula for different instruments, ages, and topics.  The interactions and relationships that develop from a teaching scenario are heartwarming and life-changing as well.  Oh, and I've been teaching online for around 6 or 7 years... I think.

Any advice for someone trying to learn Guitar, Bass, Loog Guitar, or Songwriting?

Practice.  If you want to play an instrument, then stop avoiding playing that instrument.  Pick it up and play it.  Listen to music often.  You need to hear the elements of music you'll be defining, studying, and using to play that instrument and/or compose music.  Pay attention.  Ask questions.  If you know that making music is your purpose, then dedicating your time to music should feed your soul, creativity, and intellect.  That is how you can gratefully accept this important gift you've been given.

What instrument is your favorite to play and why?

Guitar.  It does everything - chords, melody, texture... It can rotisserie an entire Cornish hen, and make julienne fries!  Just kidding!

What is your favorite medium? Live, audio or video? Why?

Nothing beats live, for all of the cliché reasons.  The personalized, spontaneous, one-of-a-kind experience is priceless.  Feeling the air vibrate with intentional structure and emotion binds everyone in the room together, whether they realize it or not.  

Describe your favorite and least favorite part about being a musician. 

My favorite thing about being a musician is living my purpose.  I am incredibly thankful to have been born into a place and time in which I am allowed to live my purpose.  In most of the world, it is unfortunately not this way for your average so-and-so.  As far as my least favorite thing is concerned, the short answer is nothing.  The long answer has to do with music as an industry.  It's a tough business, and there are predators waiting to take advantage of artists' vulnerability.  Don't sweat it, though.  Honesty always wins, and karma is real.

If you magically had the power to learn one musical instrument you don’t already play and be great at it, what would it be?

I am a wannabe banjo player.  Ever since I heard Béla Fleck play the "Prelude from Bach Violin Partita #3," I have been in love with its delicate, bright tone.  Also, everyone has the power to get great at an instrument they don't already play (see #4 for step-by-step instructions).

Any advice for someone starting their musical journey today?

Welcome.  Try everything you want to try, and have fun.  If music is in your soul, you'll know it.  If it's not, that's ok, too.  You'll find your passions.

Check Out Reviews from Emily Zimmer's Students: 

"Emily is a clear, effective, and patient teacher who is very good at noticing what you do right. She encourages you to pick songs you like, and then designs lessons around them, including clearly explained music theory. She sends a summary and practice recommendations after each lesson, which I've found extremely helpful in the six months I've been taking lessons from her." - Noe, Verified Student

"Lessons with Em are a life-changing experience. That may sound a little over the top but think about this... If music is a way to speak directly to your soul (and it is) then getting fluent in the language of music is going to make for some great 'soul talking!' Em will get you there and it is guaranteed to be a fun journey." - Chuck, Verified Student

Emily teaches 1:1 lessons in Loog Certified Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Songwriting, Music Theory, and more!