ArtistWorks Reviews 

Lessons can be disjointed and lacking of a clear pathway. I did enjoy the artists but found that the feedback I get from in person lessons better suits my style of learning.

I occasionally have issues with playback or loading videos. Otherwise, the lessons are great!

I signed up for a course using ArtistWorks' 'Black Friday' code, as the course wasn't worth the full price of $279 to me, since you can get pretty much the same information for free on YouTube. I was even on the fence getting it at 35% off. I applied the code, it showed the correct price of $181.35 that I'd be charged, and then they proceeded to charge my card $279!!

So, instead of going through the course now, I'm waiting for my bank to open so I can dispute the charges to my card!!

Also, with the insane amount of complaints that ArtistWorks has had about their ridiculous 'auto-renewal' policy, it's still in place, and I think that says much about what kind of company this is. Yes, it can be disabled, but a friendly email to remind someone that their course is about to expire would be all that's needed to retain those which wish to continue. They're banking on charging the cards (again) of those that have lost interest, and/or forgotten about their course, and aren't aware that it's set to 'auto-renew!!'

They also have a **NO REFUND POLICY,** so once they charge your card, YOU'RE SCREWED!!

BUYER BEWARE!!

BEWARE: Auto-renew is a huge issue (as many have pointed out) but what I find most troublesome is the false advertising this company does. I have done several courses, two of which have been absolutely dreadful (flute with Jeffrey Kahner, and clarinet with Ricardo Morales).

The site welcomes students from 'all levels', but after two lessons 'how to hold your instrument' and some basics about embouchure) lessons progress on how prepare for an entry exam at a conservatoire or orchestra (not kidding - this is lesson 14 in the clarinet lessons).

The site boasts a forum for its users, but I noticed that Mr. Morales did not reply to a single question on the forum. Beginning students receive no lesson material that might be helpful for them. The only sheet music provided by ArtistWorks is a whole bunch of classical sheet music which can be downloaded from the net anywhere for free (as it's all out of copyright anyway).

The flute lessons were equally bad. No materials of any use, and the instruction videos were simply useless for a beginner.

A few years ago I did Nathan Cole's violin course, which seemed a lot better at the time - at least this course catered for beginner players. Richard Amoroso seems to have taken over from Nathan Cole, so I don't know if the level is still the same.

Overall, I do not trust ArtistWorks at all, and have lost all faith in them. Selling courses to beginner musicians that might only be interesting for experienced players really is a nasty way to make money, especially since the auto renewal system is activated without a lot of people being aware of it. If ArtistWorks wants to be honest to its students, it should clarify the level needed to get most out of a course, and be more transparent about the auto renewal system, and send a reminder to customers that a new cycle will begin again.

I have been a student at the John Patitucci bass academy since it started, and I have nothing but good things to say. This is a superb way to get a worldclass bass artist to sit down and personally teach you the ways of the bass. How else could anyone from anywhere in the world get so much useful information, and personal coaching - from a number one artist? Over the years, John has given me so much valuable insights on my playing, I dont think I would have achieved this anywhere else but here. Its inspiring to be a part of this community of bassists around the world, who all share the same goal- to become better players on their instrument. The Patitucci school is super! Reasonable price to, in my opinion.

The auto renew got me,also, for 280 bucks. No notice of payment needed they just charged the credit card and the policy is no refunds. If you sign up for this be sure and make turning off auto-renew the first thing you do before ever picking up an instrument. They know this is a money maker and they set you up. I can't believe Tony Trischka approves of this practice

I am having the same experience with the autorenewal scam as others have commented. Here is how it works, you go into your account select cancel autorenew and think that you are done, but no they have extra steps that are not well explained and you think you are cancelled but you are not. Then much to your surprise the account renews. Even when you write them immediately the day they did the autorenew that you don't want to continue with a contractual relationship they hem and haw tell you all about their renewal policy blah blah blah blah. Everyone should know if you plan to try artistworks, that while their instructors seem to be caring honest people, the company uses corrupt business practices. STAY AWAY from this company.

This method is no where near as good as having a tutor. Progress is painfully slow, if at all. Since joining this my interest and ability in music has been heavily crushed unfortunately.

I've been doing the online course with Bryan Sutton for about a year and a half, and I LOVE it! For the first time in years, I've been able to see a noticeable difference in my playing. I can see improvement that I didn't see while using method books. This is hands down the BEST way to learn bluegrass guitar! Bryan is an incredible teacher and shows you how to become a master of flatpicking in a way that's easy to understand and at your own pace. I very highly recommend his course!

Very good video lessons with some real pros. I was less happy with the feature I really liked which was the video exchanges. I signed up for a course and about 3 lessons in it asked me to do a placement video. Did it and submitted it and waited over 2 weeks with no response - which was disappointing because a placement video is designed by artist works to get feedback from the instructor on where to start the course sequences.

I did inquire a number of times and was told three different things:

1. The instructor has videos on his website saying he will respond in a couple of days.
2. Artistorks says "up to" 2 weeks.
3. Aritstworks support (if you ask them) says up to 3 weeks.

Best I can tell is that they have oversold the instructors and they don't have enough time to respond. the guy I singed up with has over 1600 students and thinking about it I can't imagine how he responds to videos and still has time for gigs and sessions.

So I'd say be carful if you are really focused on the video exchanges. If you are, there are other sites that have similar quality (six string country for example).

I canceled my subscription after my last payment, yet they billed me again.

I recently went from Raving Fan to Raging Critic in about 5 minutes. Signed up for the Tony Trischka 3 month membership (there is also 6 month, 1 year options) for $99. Tony is a great player & superb teacher. Was impressed with the video library, tabs, forum. Never did the video critique submission but watched others'. Didn't go to site or sign in past the end of my 3 month period.

Just realized that these crooks (IMHO) continued to bill me $99 every 3 months to the tune of $297. They never sent me another email or a receipt during this time (a technique known as "not waking the customer") lest they tip me off that I was being robbed. The FAQ on the outside of the site (for those who haven't signed up yet) doesn't have any mention of auto-renew, yet the FAQ that you'd only see AFTER you've signed up states "In order to keep you learning without interruption, all of our subscriptions are set to renew automatically. Your original payment method will be charged at the end of your current billing period and we will continue to renew your enrollment until you cancel the subscription. Per our Terms of Service, we do not offer refunds..."

They now expect me to jump through hoops and beg to get my hard-earned money back? Left a message for Customer Service Manager Dawn Mendoza who was "in a meeting" and too busy to call me back.

I did not access my account nor watch a single lesson during the 9 months for which they charged me $297. Ms. Mendoza, David Butler, Patricia Butler, Adam Butler please tell me: What gives you the right to keep people's money that you have not earned?

And why does the CA Secretary of State list the status of "Artistworks, Inc." as "surrendered" and state that it is not authorized to conduct interstate business? Or did I read that wrong?

Lots of videos and lessons, easy to upload songs you are working on and quick detailed responses from the instructors.Excellent value for the money.

The quality of the videos is very bad, the page has problems to upload and also to help the client with the amount of videos offered, they make hundreds of videos of hardly a minute or less, really very uncomfortable. It does not have a division of topics, most of the videos are filler, they do not contribute new songs, they are, for example, the same 5 notes played in all the possible orders, and the last one is that they record a video for each sequence of the same notes! !!!!

 The supposed result offered for the student to take the program is a lie, nothing is contributed even to a beginner, the separation of the basic-intermediate-advanced level is exactly the same with an insignificant addition to each level, besides the advanced level It is totally basic, and therefore, the basico would not know where to place it because it is under "level 0"

The only thing that could be considered useful are some extras, but even so it deserves a score of one star! Which are also only acquired by who makes the payment for a year of course in a single payment ... a theft. And because the price is exossively high just because the teachers are well-known personalities, I did not see all the courses, but at least that of John Patitucci seems to me a theft with all the letters, a shame, having to pay that amount of money to see him sit down in front of a camera and not teach anything! Everything that explains this free on the internet, does not contribute anything ...

I insist I am very disappointed with this, trust the page for the presentation, but to my surprise it was one worse thing than the other, I do not even look at the videos, since the first video I started to see I realized the mediocrity of everything, the page and the course. And in the first week I stopped watching the videos with a lot of anger, because as I said before, the price is really high, and it's not worth it, it's not worth anything. There are many pages more and more economical, that could well charge more, providing new information, videos, programs every week or month, depending, as in one in which I am enrolled "scott's bass lessons" that is a page all teachers really they want to teach and they deal with all the subjects that you can imagine updating the page with courses and seminars every week.

It is a real robbery as I would like to have my money back, I never write a complaint, I mean it, especially because I never happen something like that, it is very expensive, and very bad in every way, I do not know how many times did I use the word stealing but that is what it is, to call it somehow and be polite

I hope you read my review about the program, but I would have to define it in a serious word = # @ $ &! # - = !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

II WANTT MYY MONEYY BACKKK!!

The lessons are fantastic and really well done. Bryan Sutton Flatpicking lessons are excellent and the Music Theory lessons make complex topics easy to understand. Overall, it's the best online music instruction site I've found. I'd almost be willing to give it 5 stars on content alone.

What could be better: I hate to criticise such a good product, but there are some technical improvements that would go a long way to make it an amazing experience for users.
1. Mobile Apps. - I travel frequently and it so hard to use/navigate the site on a phone.
2. Lesson navigation. It takes about 15 clicks to get to the lessons every time you log on. How about taking me to where I left off last time? Also, when a lesson ends, it's far too difficult to get to the next lesson. In general the site looks nice, but it's hard to get around.
3. (Specific to Sutton Flatpicking) it would be really helpful to provide full tabs, or at least chord sequences, for the songs. As a beginner I've had to spend too much time slowing things down just to write down the chord sequence for each song. Other sites I've used do a far better job of scoring.

I hope that helps!

Excellent lessons. easy to follow and navigate.

I'v
I'm extremely pleased with the Brian Sutton bluegrass guitar instruction. The videos are clear and well constructed. I've completed the beginner course and am just starting intermediate. I can't speak for the other courses but if this is their standard, I highly recommend giving your selected course a try.

well thought out, a wide array of information and materials, and an instructor who works hard and sincerely to help the student. My unreserved recommendation!

Very poor customer service. Lied about refund and would not honor promise. Very good at taking money from customers after instructor passed away but not honest in customer service.