Lesson Details
Mandolin
- Levels Taught:
- Beginner
Chris teaches
About
- Teaches students:
- Ages 5+ and special needs
- Teaching since:
- 2014
Are you interested in being able to play lead or rhythm guitar in a band confidently? Want to learn to write songs? Want to learn to just strum along to your favorite records by yourself? I will teach you or your child all of the knowledge and tools needed to do whatever your dream is on your instrument. My aim is to help every student achieve their personal goals on their instrument within the context of a relaxed and patient environment that promotes a love of music!
I achieve this by:
1) Individualizing lesson plans so that each student stays engaged and learns in the style that is best for them as learners.
2) Ensuring that students learn BOTH how to play their instrument as well as the theory behind what they are playing. This creates a more well-rounded musician that is capable of problem solving on their instrument and being able to play in a variety of settings.
I have been playing music for over 10 years and teaching private lessons since 2014. My professional performance experience includes solo guitar gigs, rock band shows, musical theatre pit work, dance band playing, plus various gigs in Nashville, around the Eastern United States, and even in Scotland!
I graduated from Belmont University in the Spring of 2018 with a degree in Commercial Music, so I have had the "conservatory training" in regards to theory, and music history, but before college I was largely a self taught player and am now a professionally performing musician here in Nashville.
Experience
Music Teacher
Aug 2018 - PresentI teach guitar, bass and mandolin at Sam Ash Music in Madison, Tennessee.
Music Teacher
Jan 2018 - PresentI am a teacher at Hendersonville Music Academy in Hendersonville, Tennessee. I have guitar and bass students at this studio and develop individualized lesson plans for each student to inspire and accelerate their growth.
Guitar Instructor
Jan 2015 - PresentI have voluntarily taught 2-3 students a week for the last few years at W.O. Smith Music school in Nashville, TN. The school provides music lessons for students from low income families in the Nashville area.
House Guitarist
Jun 2017 - Aug 2017I was the house guitarist for the world class hotel the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan this past summer. For seven nights a week I performed a 3 hour solo guitar set at a restaurant playing everything from pop to old jazz standards, and then spent 2 hours a night playing in the "Grand Hotel Orchestra", a 9-piece dance band that played everything from Stevie Wonder to Journey to Sinatra.
+ Read MoreEducation
Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music
Aug 2014 - May 2018Languages
English
Photos & Videos
10 Reviews
Write a ReviewChris is a patient, kind and knowledgeable teacher to my 9year old son. He is also a capable guitar artist. My son enjoys taking guitar from him.
Chris is great! I've been trying to learn via Rocksmith for ~2 years, and I'd made some good progress, but I felt like I was missing some things. I started taking lessons with Chris about 3 months ago, and he's been awesome at figuring out where I am and which skill gaps I can fill to make me a better guitarist overall. His lessons are a fun mix of practical application and (a very non-scary, beginner-oriented take on) music theory. He's great at tailoring lessons to what I want to learn and is always really positive and encouraging! I highly recommend him!
+ Read MoreChris is a great instructor. He is patient and is extremely generous with my learning curve. He teaches the subtleties of guitar and I love that he doesn't assume I won't understand. I look forward to seeing how my lessons progress. Can't wait to learn more from Chris!
+ Read MoreChris is an excellent guitar teacher with knowledge rooted in music theory. He'll not only teach you how to play the guitar, but he'll help you understand exactly what you're doing so you can play better, grow faster and comprehend more. His lessons are tailored specifically to the student to help you reach the guitar goals you're trying to achieve.
+ Read MoreChris was friendly, patient, and took time to talk about my learning style! Great first lesson.
Chris is patient, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and flexible as an instructor. Even after only three sessions, I feel more confident in my playing and am beginning to understand musical theory that I hadn't understood when I began practicing guitar on my own. Chris has been great at blending theory lessons with technical lessons; he's also balanced well honing previously taught skills and learning new ones. Excited to learn more!
+ Read MoreChris is a super chill guy. He knows what he's doing. He studied guitar in college and it really shows. He'll help you learn whatever it is that you're trying to get down, or if you're not sure where to start, he'll start you where he thinks you will benefit. I enjoy our lessons and I highly recommend him as a teacher.
+ Read MoreExtremely talented guitar player a master of the craft. He’s the best teacher I’ve had I can’t wait to see my progress a year from now working with Chris
Chris is an amazing teacher, as well as an incredible dude. Working with him these past few months has been really helpful to my skill, and I feel more confident than I ever have been both on bass and guitar. Thank you so much Chris!!!
My 9 year old daughter is currently taking lessons from Chris. We have been more than pleased with so many things about him.
With my daughter, he is patient, approachable and makes her comfortable and eager to learn. She is more and more excited about the things she is accomplishing and I feel that she is getting a firm grasp on the important fundamentals of guitar.
Honestly, we feel that we have found a jewel of a teacher and my family highly recommends him.