Guitar Lessons in Fort Dearborn, IL

Instruments: Guitar

When I first sit down with a student, my number one goal is to figure out what they are excited about. I personally never spent much time practicing music that I wasn't excited about, so I don't expect my students to either. Whether it ends up being rock, classical, jazz, folk, or maybe a specific band or artist, I feel that students learn best when they are excited about the music they are learning. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar

I have been teaching guitar, electric bass, and woodwinds for over 30 years.  I have a Bachelor of Arts from Northeastern Illinois University.  I have performed all over the Chicago area in a variety of Rock, Americana, Country, Folk, Blues, and Celtic ensembles.  I write original songs and compose music for dance and film. Some of the bands I have been in include; The Flynn Brothers Blues Band, Small World, Honeysuckle Road, Body Parts, Al Day and the Victors, and I have also performed with Bo Diddley as his bass player. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I'm positive, goal focused, and hugely passionate about music! I want my students to love music as much as I do! I grew up taking lessons from teachers who treated it too much like a job. I think that'll rub off on how a student views music. Setting realistic goals with tons of encouragement will help accelerate learning. I see the most success when my students hit their first milestone and they finally realize all their hard work pays off and they can make music! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Aside from whatever primary genre they (or their parents) care to learn, students under my tutelage should expect to learn bits and pieces of everything; jazz, bluegrass, classical, metal, and anything else that I feel can create a 'musician-of-all-genres,' so to speak. One note: for parents interested in having their child learn classical guitar, I feel it's good to have the kid learn at least some other genres prior to moving onto classical. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Ukulele Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I have been passionate about music my entire life. I’ll never forget when I sat down to play drum set for the very first time as a kid and floored my parents. It came so naturally, I started playing funk, and they immediately bought me a drum set. I have since learned guitar, ukulele, and for the past decade or so have played traditional West African djembe and dunun (see the video). Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

I love to teach my students the basic tools of what it takes to be a professional musician, whether or not they are into music as a hobby or as a serious profession. I currently play drums for the hit Broadway musical (non-union version) of Rock of Ages and when I'm not on the road; I'm teaching. I’m an avid columnist for Modern Drummer Magazine and I sing/play guitar for one of Chicago's best Nirvana tributes called Smells Like Nirvana. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I have a very hands-on teaching style. My style is very "goal-oriented," and I will teach students to set short-term goals, medium goals, and then demonstrate to them how reaching the short and medium-term goals leads to accomplishing long-term goals. This system allows students to remain motivated and track their progress as efficiently as possible. As a visual learner, I find it's extremely beneficial to teach shapes and how they can be manipulated to better serve a musical purpose along with the theory behind the shapes themselves. Read More