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 Berwyn, Cicero, Oak Park, Fox Valley and Bedford Park.
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 Randal K.
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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 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
· Acoustic Guitar · In home
· Classical Guitar · In home
· Classical Guitar · In studio
Paul W.
About David C.
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Students who study with me can expect to:
• Increase their abilities as a guitarist in solo performances, group performances, and recording situations.
• Learn any/all styles including rock, blues, pop, jazz, classical and more
• Become well-versed in music theory, reading music, notes on the fretboard.
• Write and release original, professional quality music.
About David
If you want a thorough background in playing guitar, bass, drums, voice, or piano, I am a skilled multi-instrumentalist with many years of experience performing and recording. If you want to learn music theory and songwriting, I'll give you a practical background given my academic studies in these fields. Finally, if you want to be able to record your performances and produce original music, I'm a well-trained audio engineer.
What I've helped my students with:
• Increasing their abilities as an instrumentalist in solo performances, group performances
• Learning all styles of guitar, bass, drums, composition, and music theory.
• Becoming fluent in the use of music recording software and online communication tools.
You'll always have a friendly and dedicated guide to help you with whatever you're working on. Please get in touch with me and we can get started on your goals right away! Thanks!
Reviews
· Guitar · In studio
· Guitar · Online
· Composition · In studio
David C.
About Jake I.
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I cater my lessons to each specific students goals. As a recent graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, I have the skills, knowledge and desire to help every type of student. Whether you are a beginner learning to hold a guitar for the first time, or an intermediate/advanced student looking to learn songs with complex harmony and rhythm, I have what it takes to teach you. I make the lessons fun and enjoyable for the student in a relaxed atmosphere while still pushing the student to obtain his/her goals.
About Jake
Whether you are an absolute begginer with no experience holding a guitar, or an advanced student lookin to explore advanced harmonic and rhythmic concepts, I have what it takes to teach you. I have experience teaching young children teenagers and adults through various music schools.
I am also a working musician and perform with several bands in the genres of R&B/Gospel, Jazz, Singer Somgwriter and Solo Guitar. I maintain a bus
Reviews
· Acoustic Guitar · In studio
Jake I.
About Kenny S.
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Kenny has been playing guitar since the age of 14, has received awards and grants from the Canada Council, and is an instructor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. His approach to teaching guitar helps students learn quickly and maximize musical potential.
I'm a guitar player and singer songwriter from Montreal, Canada, have been living in Chicago for five years, and have been playing electric, dobro, and acoustic guitar in the studio and on the stage for 20+ years. I play fingerstyle in a variety of tunings and am also a proficient flatpicker covering folk, bluegrass, electric, blues, and country picking techniques.
Whether you are a songwriter looking to improve your basic skills to perform a wider range of material, or a flatpicker looking to refine your improvisation skills or learn fingerstyle and open tunings, I can help you learn the correct approach to help bring your playing to a new level.
We all have within us, the ability to be an excellent player. With ...
About Kenny
Kenny S.
About Luke K.
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I am dedicated to help inspire students to achieve their goals in songwriting, vocals, guitar and performance. I have hands on practical experience in the music industry on a professional level and I feel this can be very beneficial to aspiring songwriters and musicians alike.
About Luke
My name is Luke, I recently moved to Chicago last year from Ireland were I taught songwriting, rock vocals, musical theory and acoustic guitar. I taught students privately over a six year period and a wide spectrum of levels all with different goals and aspirations. I have helped students to improve their songwriting, vocals, guitar and performance.
Some have gone on to record their own original works, performing live regularly and receiving radio plays.
I believe that it is crucial to find an artists uniqueness and work on their talents and to achieve what they set out to accomplish.
I have hands on practical experience in the music industry on a professional level and I feel this can be very beneficial to aspiring songwriters and musicians alike.
I myself am a rock artist and singer who has had a number 2 album on the I.R.M
I am currently the lead singer in a rock band called Blacklist Regulars here in Chicago.
Reviews
· Guitar ·
· Guitar ·
He is a fantastic singer and guitar player, who made me understand the guitar better and achieve all those things that I thought were really hard to play. I would highly recommend Luke to anyone looking for a great instructor and mentor.
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Luke K.
About Oliver H.
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I am here to demystify the music world--with my teaching methods any student can accomplish their dreams! First, we will start with simple techniques to embark on your musical journey and work our way towards our lofty musical goals together.
Learning guitar requires a lot of patience and a good attitude. I focus on fundamental exercises to help any beginner guitar player reach an intermediate level. I cater my lessons to learn tunes that my students care about and love. I let them guide the work!
About Oliver
I got my degree in bass and vocal performance at Knox College. I continue to learn how to better my lessons, my life and my knowledge of music. I taught upright bass, electric bass, guitar, and rock bands at Flatts & Sharpes Music Company for two years. I currently teach upright, electric bass, guitar and rock bands at Rock House in Wilmette.
I am co-manager, upright bass player, and singer for an ambient-folk band, Sedgewick, based
Reviews
· Guitar · In studio
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· Bass Guitar · In studio
She loves his teaching style - he is very encouraging, and positive.
Can't recommend highly enough.
Oliver H.
About Claire C.
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Music is an essential element of a child's education, whether your training to perform at a campfire or Carnegie Hall. My approach is student-driven and collaborative. I help guide my students through songs of their choice, incorporating skill-level appropriate theory and ear training techniques. This allows kids to develop an understanding of the music they're most passionate for, helping their interest and enthusiasm to grow.
About Claire
Reviews
· Piano · In home
· Classical Piano · In home
· Piano · In home
Claire C.
About bob B.
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Learn the techniques,styles,harmony,and ear training that increase your knowledge, confidence,and ability to know what to play...
"a good instructor makes all the difference in your playing ability"
Bobby_B
About bob
Some of the musical styles I regularly teach: Rock, Hard Rock, Blues, Jazz, Funk, Soul, R&B, Classical.
bob B.
About Ildiko S.
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Experience and i speak 4 languages. Englsih, Spanish, Hungarian, and Romanian
About Ildiko
Ildiko S.
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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 $109 per hour.
| 30-min | $20 |
$33 average |
$64 |
| 45-min | $25 |
$45 average |
$84 |
| 60-min | $30 |
$56 average |
$109 |
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 20% less expensive at $45, and 30-minute lessons cost 42% less at $33.
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.
Equal to the students ability. Allow enough
time for questions an, an willing to revisit
Any part of the les
Paul Reilly-
Professor of Classical Guitar
Ball State University
School of Music
preilly@bsu.edu"
Give him a try. I"ll bet he can develop a nice lesson plan for you too."
And they're not alone!
Our teachers have taught
lessons and counting!
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