Experienced tutor in Violin in Chicago, Joseph Glymph offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

Joe is literally the best technical violin teacher. If you want to learn violin at a high technical level, Joe is your go to. He also teaches conducting. I am able to play some of the most tech iCarly challenging violin pieces proficiently because of Joe. Do not underestimate his prowess as a teacher and performer. If you need to become technically proficient for violin/viola/cello auditions, go to Joe.

Mr. Glymph was my violin instructor and orchestra director between 2007 and 2013. The importance he has played on my life transcends into existential territory as it was his teachings that allowed me to achieve my dreams in life on top of rapidly improving in violin performance. His "smart practice" method that relies on deliberate and methodical micro improvements, bound together with repetition and consistency is essentially a guidebook to becoming a professional in any field and separating yourself from the masses.
I had taken violin lessons for roughly ten years when I met Mr. Glymph as a teenager, and the amount of improvement I made in the first two years with him was probably one hundred-fold without exaggeration. His teaching style is not for everyone, but the sky is the limit if you are serious about music and want to genuinely improve.
I eventually made a personal decision to not major in music, and Mr. Glymph was supportive as any mentor should be. I do believe that had I continued to pursue music using his methods I would have had a good career as well.
Mr. Glymph is both an incredible violin teacher and a genuine mentor. He is strict but also understanding. Asking him if he could teach me at the Suzuki summer program in 2006-7 was easily one of the best decisions I've made in my life, and when I write a reflection or something in the coming years, his legacy will live on in that piece.
John L.

Mr. Glymph is a dedicated and experienced violin teacher, who will not only give you the tools you need to improve, but encourage a passionate love for music. Over the years, he has taught all of my three daughters violin. Out of all the teachers we have had, he has been, and continues to be, by far the most detailed, comprehensive, and effective teacher. He has a thorough lesson plan for wherever you are in your violin journey with intensive learning systems for scales, etude, pieces etc. He also supplements his lessons with CDs and DVDs about violin/musicianship. All of this comes at a reasonable price. My daughters have improved tremendously with him. We are very happy with Mr. Glymph, and if you practice, you will be too!

Mr. Glymph was charismatic in his teaching and devoted to making sure that you learn things the proper way. He was very knowledgable, he knew the styles and techniques that allowed you to become a great violinist. His knowledge and experience as a violinist, gave him the necessary tools to be able to demonstrate those same styles and bowing techniques and give examples himself on the violin. He made sure you understood the fundamentals in music theory and the structure of what you were working on, whether it was a concerto, an etude or a scales exercise. Lessons were interesting and he kept you motivated. During his lessons you knew that he not only cared about the material being taught but you knew he wanted you to succeed. Mr. Glymph was not only your teacher but he was your friend. Its been over 20 years since our first lesson together and I can honestly say that he has taught me so much about music, the art of violin playing as well as given my guidance, taught me structure and helped shape me in becoming the person I am today, Thank you Mr. G.

Mr. Glymph's teaching improved my technical base a huge amount. After taking lessons with Mr. G I went to college ready to tackle orchestral music on my own and excel in my private lessons. He is a kind but strict teacher who has high expectations for his students but also cares about them deeply.

Mr. Glymph was one of the most important teachers in my life. He transformed my playing. His systematic approach got me from being a clueless young player to a thoughtful calculating musician. After working with Mr Glymph for nearly ten years I became a confident violin player and I had the tools necessary to play any music on the violin. Mr Glymph became more than a teacher, he became a mentor and a father figure. Through our time together, he guided me to follow my passion for the violin and study in college. Following Mr Glymphs footsteps, I myself became an orchestra director in 2005. I only hope I can inspire and train my students as well as Mr. Glymph trained me. If you are serious about improving your playing, I highly recommend violin lessons with Mr Glymph.

Joseph Glymph was my violin teacher during my senior year of high school, but I started playing with his orchestras,The Protege Philharmonic and The Classical Symphony, when I was a freshman in high school. He is not only a fine violinist, but a dedicated, knowledgeable, and compassionate teacher. Whether it was through his conducting, or his teaching, he always made me see music in a different and interesting way. I also loved how he was able to identify technical issues in my playing, and always had exercises and etudes I could study to fix them in the most efficient way possible. I know he has had many students over the years, and that they have gone on to do some great things. I’m glad I got the chance to learn from him. It’s definitely one of the reasons I won my current position with the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. I truly believe any student will see, hear, and feel the benefits from studying with him.

Mr. Glymph has been one of the most influential teachers I have ever had. I started lessons a few months before the college audition and came in knowing nothing about the technique and how to hold my instrument correctly. Mr. Glymph was very kind and motivating to give me a chance to learn and excel in playing the violin. With his expertise and encouragement, I made it into college almost with a full scholarship and now teach Orchestra at a public school. Mr. Glymph has inspired me to become a teacher and I am forever grateful for his hard work and for believing in me.

Joseph Glymph is a master of musical performance and education. His musical success comes not only from many years of quality experience, but also from a strong determination to educate and inspire musicians, and to give them the necessary tools to succeed. It was when I quit lessons with a Chicago Symphony Orchestra member and studied with Mr. Glymph that I noticed a substantial improvement in my own playing. Many years later, under Mr. Glymph's tutelage, I was able to return to school late in life to complete a music education degree and become a licensed teacher. His instruction informs my own teaching and playing to this day (I am 63 years old!).
Ann Kincaid, music teacher and performer, and former student of Joseph Glymph

Mr. Glymph was one of my favorite violin teachers in high school and helped me prepare for successful college auditions. With his careful guidance and strict lesson and practice techniques, I was able to win hefty scholarships for both undergraduate and master's studies in music, and became a professional freelance violinist because of this. Mr. Glymph completely revamped my violin technique in a very short amount of time with his meticulous attention to detail. If you are willing to put in the work as a violinist, Mr. Glymph is an excellent choice as a pedagogue. I would highly recommend him!

I took lessons with Mr. Glymph for four years in high school and improved so much. He is not an easy teacher and will push you to become the best player you can. My technical skills increased dramatically. He taught me how to listen and how to practice effectively and efficiently; those are probably the most important skills I have to date. I appreciate that Mr. Glymph didn't spend too much time talking; he explained things very clearly, but never dilly-dallied. Maybe it differs per student. Our lessons were jam packed and not a second of time was wasted; That type of lesson worked really well for me. I was beyond prepared when I left for college (not a conservatory) and felt quite ahead of my peers. Aside from the actual teaching, Mr. Glymph is warm and friendly and clearly cares a lot for his students.

I had the privilege of studying with Joseph Glymph for several years, and during that time I learned a great deal about the violin. Mr. Glymph had a strong emphasis on technique, which was invaluable to my development as a violinist. I learned essential skills such as how to shift correctly, how to play scales in 3 and 4 octaves as well as in double stops, and how to manipulate my bowing technique to suit different musical contexts. Most importantly, he excelled at teaching me how to focus and how to become more self-sufficient in my practice, skills that have stayed with me to this day.

During our time together I learned concerti that are considered benchmarks of violin playing but also got the chance to learn chamber music, orchestral repertoire, and pieces for solo violin. Mr. Glymph was always good at knowing what pieces were appropriate for my needs at the time. The wide variety of music introduced to me has helped navigate the world of classical music now as an adult. Furthermore, the knowledge and skills I gained during our lessons continue to serve me well in my musical journey.

Joseph Glymph is one of the best pedagogues I have ever experienced. As a prominent musician throughout Chicagoland, I can truly thank him for my successes. His strict daily practice regimen of scales, arpeggios, Ševčík, and etudes really helped me improve throughout my younger years. The technique he taught me is truly invaluable to this day. I HIGHLY recommend him!

I took lessons with Mr Glymph for about 5 years. During that time, I learned so much technique that I hadn't been taught before. He developed a methodical progression suited for my needs in order to become a better musician. Thanks to him, I was able to receive a scholarship at NEIU for my undergrad. I continue to use many of the techniques learned through him in my music life. He transformed my technique in ways that are still benefiting me today. I'm currently completing a MA in Violin Pedagogy and I cannot be thankful enough for all the tools that Mr Glymph equipped me to succeed as a Violinist. I continue to live by his "The road to Violin playing is long and arduous"

Easily the best violin teacher I’ve ever had and a wonderful musician to learn from. Mr. Glymph’s strong passion, knowledge, and experience honed over decades results in an effective learning environment tailored to each student’s goals and aspirations. Although I didn’t go into music as a profession, I learned a lot from his wisdom and perspective during lessons that still resonates decades later in my business career. If you’re looking for a teacher who truly cares about his students and goes above and beyond every time, I give Mr. Glymph my strongest recommendation.

He is a very talented teacher who teaches students how to teach themselves. He instills discipline in everything he does with his students and he is a fantastic problem solver. No matter what problem or issue I brought to him he always found a solution. He really improved my confidence in myself and made me a much better player!

Maestro Glymph has been my violin teacher in 2 different times of my life.-teenager, and adult. He is a professional violinist, meaning you will learn how to play your violin through technique training, music theory and self-discipline, amongst many other things. Only a professional can explain the best way to practice at home, and explain the most useful way to get through exercises or difficult passages. This is the different between factory violin teachers and actual professionals.
You have to make time for practice on your own, while implementing what was talked about in your lesson, to improve/excel.
I recommend Maestro Glymph as a violin teacher through and through.

I could not be more grateful for having Maestro Glymph as my teacher. I can't even begin to imagine where I would be with violin if it weren't for him. He is very direct and always pushes the bar for success higher, even if it means having to play the same scales over and over again. I don't think any other teacher could ever match his passion for teaching you to be your absolute best and that's what motivates me to come for lessons each week.