Portland Guitar Lessons

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Chuck has performed with classic rock, top 40, funk, R&B, and jazz groups, and has served as an opening act for Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, and legendary Texas bluesman Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown. As a soloist he's played classical music, blues, jazz, and original compositions. Before devoting himself to music full time, he worked for 8 years as a radio announcer on WUFT-FM Gainesville hosting shows such as "Nothing but the Blues", "Montage" (acoustic jazz), and "Musica Antiqua" (Renaissance and Medieval).

Chuck has taught students of all ages and skill levels in piano, guitar, organ, flute, digital keyboards, recorder, and ukulele. He's also a multi-faceted composer whose instrumental pieces are infused with elements of classical, blues, and jazz styles.

Chuck's teaching philosophy: "In my 25 years of teaching I’ve found that everyone learns in different ways and at different rates of progress, so each of my students is treated as a unique individual. I try to get to know my students in the first few lessons so I can be more sensitive to their personalities. This helps me choose the best teaching approach for them. From the very first lesson I create a relaxed setting so students feel no apprehension, especially when trying something new. This allows them to feel free to take chances and experience playing music as something enjoyable, not a life or death situation! The biggest measure of my effectiveness as a teacher is when my students embrace new challenges and the opportunity to improve".

*** Lesson Details ***
My primary goal as a teacher is to present musical material in a way that keeps students excited about what they are learning. Even with absolute beginners, I will have a student playing actual songs that they are interested in as quickly as possible. Along the way I include fundamentals such as scales, strength-building exercises, rudiments of theory, and ear training. Some of the method books I use include the Alfred and Faber and Faber series, and Hanon's The Virtuoso Pianist, among many others. These materials are always supplemented with arrangements and transcriptions of popular songs and classical pieces, along with original exercises designed to teach specific styles and techniques. I also use interactive music websites to introduce students to concepts of music theory. The styles that I cover include classical, rock, jazz, and blues. As students progress in their creativity, I also introduce them to composition and improvisation.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Kawai K50 upright piano, music playback devices, Hammond C3 organ, multiple keyboards/synthesizers, acoustic and electric guitars, amplifiers, computer recording equipment; parents are encouraged to sit in on lessons.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I don't provide any specific equipment. Piano students should have either a well-tuned piano or full-sized weighted-key digital keyboard (Casio Privia, for example). Guitar students should have a well set up electric or acoustic guitar and an amplifier (for an electric guitar).

*** Specialties ***
I teach students of all ages and skill levels. The styles that I cover include classical, rock, jazz, and blues. I also teacher recording techniques using computer software including Ableton Live, Reason, and Pro Tools.

is the name of my game. I can teach you to improvise, read music, become a strummer or virtuoso, it's all up to you.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in the basement studio, piano, guitars, amps, hand drums, a bass, woodwinds, FULL DRUM SET!

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can travel with a sax, flute, guitar, electric bass, and a didgeridoo....

*** Specialties ***
I'm a jazz musician! But I listen to and perform all styles of music. I have written string quartets, been the front man for a funk band, and recorded every style of music under the sun. I can teach Bach and the Beatles and explain how/ and why they intersect and are similar musically.

s too hard to play the guitar or piano, but I promise you, my program is fun and simple. I can show you the steps to success. I have taught over 1000 students in a variety of cities from Minneapolis Minnesota, to Los Angeles California, and now Portland Oregon. This is what I do. It is all I do. I have individually taught over 28,000 lessons total, so I have dealt with every kind of person including those with disabilities. I have taught every age from 5-70. I am also a performer, and I own my own music publishing company through ASCAP (American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers). I currently teach Piano to level 4, so if you are a beginner, you will love my new program. Music is my life, I can help you make your dream of playing a musical instrument come true, even in a few short lessons. You can do it! I prefer to have serious students and would like to audition you before setting you in a schedule as I have many students waiting. Therefore I now choose which ones I feel will be a good fit. This benefits you as well, as I want you to be happy with your lessons. I have worked for Take Lessons a long time and have a good track record.

* I hold recitals twice a year in May and November. Check out my videos.

*** Lesson Details ***
The thing I have learned over the years teaching guitar, piano or voice, is that everyone learns differently. I have taught in family situations where there are two or three siblings learning at the same time, but each sibling learned the skills that are unique to them. Some students are better at playing rhythm, some students are better at lead, some students are better with barre chords. As long as you are enjoying playing the guitar, you will be able to grow in every area at your own pace. Music should be a fun and rewarding experience. My lessons usually include songs that you like to play and are at your level of playing ability. We can play as a band too. When you are ready, I love to bring out the drum machine while you play guitar and I play the bass notes, giving you the feel of a live group situation that can make learning at your lesson more fun. But if that's not for you, we can just play guitar together too, whatever makes you feel the most comfortable is how you will be able to learn the best. Tell me what you need I am always here to help you.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Amplifiers, Chords, Microphones, Guitars, Piano,violins

Private Cancellation Policy
Effective 1/1/2014, all lessons scheduled with Lisa N., Take Lessons instructor for piano, guitar, bass, and voice, will now have new reschedule and cancellation requirements. These requirements are that no lessons may be cancelled, only rescheduled. If students miss a lesson due to sickness, vacation, traffic, or emergency, the student will have the lesson marked as missed, but will be allowed to make up the lesson within the month. The student must make up the lesson on a Saturday, unless other times are available for reschedule throughout the week. Check with the instructor for flexibility in scheduling, as every effort will be made to accommodate the situation. There will no longer be a 24 hour cancellation policy as all lessons will be marked missed. The teacher will give the same consideration due to emergencies, sickness, and or classes, and if a student shows up at the studio and a lesson cannot be given by the teacher for any reason, the student will not be charged.
Thanks Sincerely Lisa N.
Take Lessons Instructor

*** Specialties ***
*Teachers marked as a Student Favorite have taught a minimum of 25 lessons and have received the highest feedback rating from students.Beginning to intermediate Guitar Voice and Bass lessons, beginning Piano.

ce he was a calm, patient tutor for me - I try to live up to his example in my own teaching work.
I like to work with my students in a learning partnership, letting them work at their own pace with my encouragement and support.
I love to teach, and can help you love to learn!

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons are usually 30 or 60 minutes, once a week.
I can be flexible, if your needs differ.
I can also arrange more evening times at 5:00 or later,
if the times on my availability list don't work for you.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living room with
Yamaha Clavinova CVP-55/CVP-65
adjustable touch-sensitive electronic piano:
Advanced Wave Memory tone generator with 53 voices,
32-note polyphony, Dual and Split play modes,
24 styles of orchestrated rhythm, bass,
and chord accompaniments, 10-track performance memory, Disk Orchestra playback capability,
MIDI compatibility and functions,

Fender Squier Bullet electric guitar
customized by Smooth Creations,
with a Line 6 amp,
a Keith Urban acoustic guitar,
a tone drum, and assorted percussion instruments,

with recording capability for all instruments
using ACID Music Studio,
and comfortable seating for parents.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Piano students should have a touch-sensitive piano/keyboard in their home.
All other music students should either own or rent their instrument.
Everyone should bring their assignment notebook and their lesson books to lessons.

*** Specialties ***
I play Rock, Blues, Jazz and Classical styles.
The Faber method books are my favorite.
I have the most tutoring experience with Math and Statistics.

my technique and properly set goals, you can grow your skills quickly and reduce the amount of time and energy spent on inefficient practicing.

What you'll learn is that most songs are based on a formula.
You can get better every time you pick up the guitar, instead of memorizing a bunch of stuff that "all musicians need to know".
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If you've already gotten this far, you probably have a pretty strong interest in playing - and thats all you need to be a great musician.