Teaching Locations:


Levels taught:
Beginner, Intermediate, AdvancedChris received an A.A.S. in Commercial Music and Jazz Studies with a focus on guitar performance at SFCC in 1992, and BAs in Music Merchandising and Music Composition from EWU in 1996.
Chris's flexible, student focused teaching style keeps lessons exciting and fun while always building on small goals to reach long term success.
With over 25 years teaching experience, Chris looks forward to helping new students achieve their goals.
About Christopher P.
Teaching Style:
Chris’s overall teaching philosophy is flexible, focused on answering questions and achieving long terms goals quickly. With a large library of sheet music and many popular guitar methods to draw from, Chris is able to quickly and efficiently answer questions with specific musical examples from famous songs. Students leave the lesson with sheet music in-hand, excited about the new music they will be learning, and well aware of a few easily achievable goals for the week that are designed to build to long term success as a guitarist and as a musician. An expert at transcribing to tablature and sheet music, Chris can show you how to use Capo and Guitar Pro for those impossible to transcribe songs. Chris hosts an online group for his students where they can ask the group questions, set up local jam sessions and gigs, and show off their new music. Chris has helped many advanced students with the entire CD creation process from songwriting to CD release.
Teaching Experience:
Chris began teaching guitar lessons in 1992 while still in college, and was full a full time guitar instructor by 1996. In the mid ‘90s, Chris built a guitar class at Cheney Parks and Recreation from seven students up to two almost thirty in two classes in two years. In 2011 Chris began teaching guitar lessons for The Upper Columbia Academy, built an appropriate curriculum, and together they doubled the size of the program. In 2018 Chris started taking students in his home studio, and now he is available online worldwide.
Education:
Chris has a Commercial Music/Jazz Studies degree with a focus on guitar performance from SFCC. Chris studied music composition and piano performance at Eastern Washington University (EWU), and graduated in 1996 with a BA in Music Merchandising, cum laude. In 1994 Chris received a full ride scholarship to the Berklee School of Music Summer Session, and tested out of the Berklee guitar performance program.
Favorite Bands and Styles:
Classic Rock, Blues, Funk, Jazz, Metal, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Vai, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Allman Brothers, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Pantera, Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against The Machine, Radiohead, Tool, John Lowery (John5), Mastodon, Baroness, School of Rock, and Foo Fighters.
Guitar Lesson Set Up:
Acoustic and electric guitars for students to use in the lesson. Laptop with software for transcribing. Guitar effects pedals for exploring tones. Software for transcribing includes Capo, and Guitar Pro. 20 years of guitar magazines with a searchable song sheet music database.
Chris is a father, and a very patient instructor who understands that students have different goals, learn at a different pace, and that celebrating our success is the best way to ensure we continue to make progress.
Students receive any necessary audio, transcriptions of songs, and sheet music during the lesson, or shortly after.
Set up a lesson now, and start reaching your goals on the guitar!
Reviews
Write a Review
Been taking lessons from Chris since I was in my forties. Still enjoying it, twenty years later. I always feel that I am getting full value and would recommend him to anyone.
Photos & Videos
16 Photos & VideosExperience
Guitar Instructor
Jun 1992 - PresentChris Phelps
Chris began teaching guitar lessons in 1992 while still in college, and was full a full time guitar instructor by 1996. Chris has taught as many as 65 students a week for over 25 years. In 2018 Chris started taking students in his home studio, and now he is available online worldwide.
Guitar Instructor
Sep 2011 - Jun 2013Upper Columbia Academy
Provided private instruction to Junior High, and High School age kids at UCA. Designed a curriculum appropriate to the school.
Guitar Class Instructor
Sep 1993 - Jun 1996Cheney Parks and Recreation
Taught a guitar class for Cheney Parks and Recreation open to all ages and skill levels. Built the class up from one class with 5 students to two classes with more than 25 students.
Education
BA Music Composition
Sep 1992 - Jun 1998Eastern Washington University
BA Music Merchandising
Sep 1992 - Jun 1996Eastern Washington University
Guitar Performance
Jul 1994 - Jul 1994Berklee School of Music
A.A.S Commercial Music and Jazz Studies
Sep 1990 - Jun 1992Spokane Falls Community College
Languages
English
Professional Proficiency
Awards
Certificate of Award
May 1996Greater Spokane Music and Allied Arts Festival
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