Chicago, IL Guitar Lessons
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Popular Guitar Teachers near Chicago, IL
Check out some of our most popular teachers near Chicago, IL including Naperville, Bolingbrook, Evanston, Oak Park and Lincolnwood.
Guitar Lessons in Chicago, IL
By Will P. - Chicago Guitar Teacher While it’s impossible to pinpoint any one locale as “the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” the city of Chicago has a strong claim to the title. In 1955, Chuck Berry came to Chicago to record for the already world-renowned Chess Records label. For years, Chess (and Chicago) had been home to some America’s most famous blues artists: Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Etta James and Sonny Williamson, just to name a few. So when Chuck Berry and fellow rock innovator Bo Diddley came to Chess to cut their first records, Chicago became an epicenter not only for blues but also for the exploding rock ‘n’ roll scene – and one central component to that new wave of music was the guitar.
Follow that track through the second half of the twentieth century to the present and it’s clear Chicago has always been a critical point on the map of American guitar music. Today, world class bands like the Smashing Pumpkins, OK GO, and Wilco all call Chicago home. Chicago is the permanent home to music festivals Lollapalooza and Pitchfork, and the city hosts its own jazz, blues and gospel festivals every summer, bringing some of the top guitarists in the world to Grant Park. Eric Clapton has even chosen Chicago as the site for his Crossroads Guitar Festival for the last few years.
Meanwhile, the independent music scene thrives in Chicago. On any given night of the week you can find excellent local groups and artists playing a myriad of genres and styles of music: jazz, blues, indie rock, pop, punk, and metal. As a student of bass or guitar lessons in Chicago, this is a critical factor: in a city with such a rich musical tradition and so many talented musicians, you’re bound to find a wealth of excellent teachers willing to share their knowledge and experience with you.
You might be surprised to learn that many of the musicians you see rocking out on stage on any given night also work as mild-mannered instructors teaching guitar lessons in Chicago during the days and evenings. This can be a tremendous resource for music students; you can learn from your instructor in a one-on-one setting and then go to see them and their peers in action onstage. Without a doubt, one of the most important aspects of learning to play an instrument (aside from lots of practice!) is listening to music and going to concerts to see how the skills and techniques you’re learning actually play out on stage in a real performance setting. With so many great musicians to see perform and so many skilled teachers to work with, the opportunities to dive in and immerse yourself in guitar lessons in Chicago have never been greater.
About Paul W.
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I tailor all my lessons to the individual students interests and wants.
Whatever your goals are, I'll help you get there.
About Paul
I went to Columbia College between 2000-2003 and I completed a Bachelor Arts in Music, Concentration: Instrument Performance.
I also went to Harper College between 1997-2000 and I completed an Associates in Fine Arts of Music.
*** Lesson Details ***
I tailor all my lessons to the individual students interests and wants.
Whatever your goals are, I'll help you get there.
If you just want to learn music theory or how to write a song, I can teach you all that and more.
I will teach you how to read music but if you don't wan't to do that, I will teach you how to read tablature.
I'll push you to learn your instrument and to practice but I won't force to practice anything that you are not interested in.
After about 3-6 months of lessons with me you will be able to play songs that you wanted to learn and you will also know all the essential fun basics of your instrument.
Learning the guitar or bass is fun! And as your teacher I will make you want to practice.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons will be downstairs which has music stands, guitars, cords and books.
*** Travel Equipment ***
My guitar and music stand. They should have a guitar and an amp if needed.
*** Specialties ***
Anything from classic rock to blues, jazz, classical, modern rock, punk rock, music theory, improvising and songwriting.
Reviews
· Guitar · In studio
· Guitar · Online
· Blues Guitar · In studio
Paul W.
About Randal K.
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Learn the foundation for becoming proficient on 6 or 12 string guitar.
About Randal
Originally self taught, I have recently studied
bass, guitar, and theory at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music. Coming from a self taught background, I fully understand the importance of a solid foundation. In the beginning of my playing, after being uninspired by formal lessons, I chose to branch out on my own. This decision definitely slowed my musical growth. Having to fend for yourself is always more difficult than having a guiding hand helping you along. I enjoy passing on the knowledge it took me years to accumulate.
My musical influences range from Rock to Reggae, Blues to Folk.
However, I find equal enjoyment sharing my love of both instruments.
*** Lesson Details ***
My mission is to provide the foundation, through a relaxed and patient approach, for each individual student to reach their own maximum potential. We will cover basic techniques and theory, but we will learn how these are relative to actually playing music that the student is interested in. Let's face it, students want to play music. They are not taking lessons to learn what a pentatonic scale is, even though they will probably use it to play their favorite solo. Many beginners stop playing because they get caught up in the journey, and lose focus on the destination. If these techniques and exercises are shown to be relative to actually playing music, most students can't stop practicing, instead of viewing practice as work, or boring.
Each students' lesson is designed specifically for the individual. Handouts will be provided to offer support and reference, but the students desire and willingness to practice on their own will dictate how fast we move along.
The ultimate goal for me is to provide a relaxed atmosphere where students are having fun doing what they love. There will be plenty of time to learn complex chord shapes and theories. I simply want to create players who once they have started, will never stop playing.
*** Studio Equipment ***
I am available for lessons given in your home or mine. I provide small recording equipment, and drum machine. Each student will be able to record a cd of their playing to help in the learning process.
*** Travel Equipment ***
Recording equipment, drum machine, amps, and lesson plans. Student provides own instrument. Although I have provided instruments in certain situations.
*** Specialties ***
Rock, Reggae,Blues, and Fingerstyle.
Reviews
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Anya is progressing quite well and really enjoying her lessons!
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Randy has been a great teacher for my 6-yr-old daughter. She is really shy & he was great with her. Friendly. Tailored the lessons to her level!
Randal K.
About Paulette L.
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~ Began my approximately nine years of guitar studies at the age of 10, taking a small, two-year break from my general music studies in my early teens.
~ Have experience with both acoustic guitar (approx. nine years) and electric guitar (approx. 5 years)
~ Repertoire consists of: Alternative Rock, Classical, Latin, Pop, and Spiritual
~ Knowledgeable with: scales, chords, picking styles, tuning, tablature (style of sheet music), and standard notation (style of sheet music)
About Paulette
My name is Paulette L., and I am a recent graduate of Elmhurst College, which is located in the nearby suburb of Elmhurst, Illinois. In May, I earned my Bachelor's in Music Business along with minors in Communications and Spanish.
Music has played a significant role in my life since I began studying piano at the age of 5, and it continued to play this significant role after I began taking guitar lessons at the age of 10. After about 7 years of piano studies and 2 years of guitar studies, I decided to take a small break from my overall music studies and instead place my focus on my academics and additional extracurricular activities. Shortly after beginning high school, however, I started up my guitar studies again through my involvement in my Parish's Young Adult Choir/Band. Shortly afterwards, during my sophomo
Throughout the four years I studied and enhanced my skills at Elmhurst College, I took private lessons for Piano, Classical Guitar, and Voice, and I have completed four levels of Music Theory. I am organized, hard~working, detail~oriented, accustomed to working with people of a variety of age groups and learning preferences, sociable, adaptable, easy to get along with, fair, creative, pro~active, and proficient in English and Spanish.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact TakeLessons and I wish you the best in your future music studies!
Paulette L.
Reviews
· Piano · In studio
· Guitar · In studio
· Piano · In studio
Paulette L.
About Paul W.
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I combine guitar pedagogy, music theory, and musicality to teaching all styles. I tailor my teaching to the students needs, desires, and interests and I strive to make every lesson a fun and educational experience. We'll work on
About Paul
Reviews
· Bluegrass Guitar · Online
· Classical Guitar · In studio
· Guitar · Online
Paul W.
About Jeff J.
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As a certified music teacher my lessons help students quickly gain confidence on the guitar. With my guidance, students become well-rounded musicians able to play their favorite songs, explore new possibilities, make their own music, and take on new challenges!
About Jeff
My Lessons are customized in a number of ways to create the ideal experience for each student and family.
• Curriculum adheres to student and parent generated long-term goals
• Musical arrangements and accompaniments are created to accommodate individual interests
• Students can learn a variety of skills such as improvisation, effective practice habits, music composition, and many others
• Students have the option to explore multiple instruments.
• Instruction accommodates different learning styles and strengths.
Much of today’s music is created or altered through digital means. For this reason students of all ages should consider exploring different ways to interact with digital music in their lessons such as:
• layering multiple audio tracks,
• creating digital accompaniments to play
• looping, editing, and adding effects to recorded audio
These aspects of a lesson not only better prepare students for the likely future of music but it also makes lessons more exciting, creative, and fun!
Reviews
· Piano · In home
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· Flute · In home
Jeff J.
About ryan S.
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I have been playing guitar for over a decade and have tons of performance experience gigging in a local rock band. Combine that with a curriculum that starts with fundamentals and expands quickly into playing your favorite songs and you have a great start to beginning or expanding your guitar playing abilities.
About ryan
Reviews
· Blues Guitar ·
· Guitar ·
· Guitar ·
Nancy and Andy.
ryan S.
About Parry A.
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I create what you need to get what you want. Together, we achieve every goal.
About Parry
Parry A.
About Geordie K.
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I have been playing and recording professionally for 30+ years, to include 21+ years in the US Navy Music Program/Navy Band where I performed in ~60 countries world wide. I hold a bachelor's and master's degree in Music Theory/Composition and Jazz Studies, and I studied with jazz guitar legend Jimmy Bruno. I have taught guitar privately, at the community college level, and have five years experience teaching guitar, jazz improvisation, jazz combos, contemporary music ensemble (rock/top 40), and big band jazz ensembles at the Armed Forces School of Music and Naval School of Music. Additionally, my reading/sight-reading skills are outstanding, and I have many musicals under my belt in the pit orchestra. I have the prerequisite skill to teach you how to play any style, read musical notation, and studio record.
About Geordie
efficiently. My career has also seen its share of achievements; while working as a Navy Musician, I became one of only 25 Bandmasters/commissioned officers in the Navy Music Program Navy-wide. Furthermore, my concurrent work throughout my career as a private, freelance musician has yielded two recordings as a leader, and my becoming an Endorsement Artist for Heritage Guitars in 2001.
During my time working at the Armed Forces School of Music, as Jazz Guitar, Jazz Improvisation, Jazz Combo, and Jazz Big Band instructor, I learned a great deal and achieved a number of goals. One of my highest achievements was earning the Master
Training Specialist designation for excep
which in turn led to the best trained Navy Musicians graduating from the Armed Forces School of Music during my tenure. In my recent capacity as Director, Navy Band Great Lakes, I was able to significantly expand my skill-set.
My responsibilities for programming music and managing travel for a concert band, parade band, ceremonial band, Dixieland band, jazz ensemble, jazz combo, brass quintet, woodwind quintet, and a blues band caused me to develop my musical knowledge across all genres, as well as my ability to manage large sums of money. I've
been stationed here since 2014, and I work regularly as a jazz guitar leader and sideman on the Chicago gig scene. Upon my retirement from the Navy Music Program in 2018, I will remain in Chicago and devote the full entirety of my efforts to performance, pedagogy, and recording as a private citizen-musician.
I have held a SECRET clearance for 21+ years. That is the most intense background check anyone can get, which is why I passed on the Take Lessons background check.
Currently available for tours, lessons, recording, and live performances.
Geordie K.
About Dilan C.
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I’m a very interactive teacher, who will strive to make my students success in every aspect of guitar. My students excel in blues, rock, jazz, pop, and many others styles of guitar.
About Dilan
Dilan C.
About Aaronson B.
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My aim is to guide you in your exploration of the full potential of your instrument. My lesson plan will help you learn tunes, composition techniques, and ways to improvise, through the lens of classical and jazz music theory. But I also hope to work with students looking to push the boundaries of their sound through extended technique, instrument preparation, and digital processing. If any of that sounds interesting, hit me up!
About Aaronson
I can sight-read well, and I can read tabliture. I can help you flesh out that riff you've been working on, or help with part-writing around it. I can talk your ear off about compositional techniques in the works of Brahms, Tina Turner, and Radiohead in the same sitting. But my passion is working with performers who want to learn foundational principles of theory and perfor
If any of that sounds interesting, definitely drop me a line!
Aaronson B.
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No problem. Our online lesson platform connects you with any teacher, anywhere. All you need is a reliable Internet connection, a webcam and a microphone.
Convenient
Zero travel time is great for a busy schedule.
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Typically priced lower than local lessons.
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Online students stick with lessons as long as local students.
Average Cost of Guitar Lessons in Chicago, IL
The average cost of 60-minute guitar lessons in Chicago is $56. While the exact cost will vary depending on the teacher, type of lesson, and your location, you should expect to spend anywhere between $30 and $117 per hour.
| 30-min | $17 |
$31 average |
$67 |
| 45-min | $25 |
$44 average |
$92 |
| 60-min | $30 |
$56 average |
$117 |
For the best experience, we typically recommend 60-minute guitar lessons. However, students looking for a more affordable option may want to consider a shorter lesson length of 45 or 30 minutes. On average, 45-minute guitar lessons are 22% less expensive at $44, and 30-minute lessons cost 45% less at $31.
Curious how much guitar lessons cost in your area? Do a quick search to get local prices for the best guitar teachers near Chicago.
Guitar Lesson Reviews from Students
Students are raving about their Guitar instructors on TakeLessons. Check out some of these recent reviews.
Great teacher!
I started with Ayme with no musical skills whatsoever. I wanted to learn the guitar to challenge myself. 10 lessons down the
Great teacher to learn from; she knows her stuff!"
And they're not alone!
Our teachers have taught
lessons and counting!
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