Guitar with Jim T.

My name is Jim and I'm a musician. I've been very involved in music since I was 7 years old. I began playing my primary instrument, guitar, at the age of 9. I am an experienced professional performer and teacher; I have performed in a variety of settings and venues all over the country, mainly in Chicago. I was recently featured in the new Johnny Depp movie "Public Enemies," as the guitar player in the jazz orchestra. I really feel like I bring enthusiasm for music into the lessons, and this is necessary for a student of music to succeed. I recently graduated from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies. There I studied jazz and classical piano techniques, bass, drums, and both classical and jazz guitar techniques. I am really open and enthusiastic about all musical styles from rock to bluegrass, and country to Indian classical music, so whatever the student is interested in studying, I believe I have something to offer. I have experience teaching students from ages 5-45. My goal as a teacher is for the students to experience any level of the joy I feel playing music on a daily basis. I want to the students to play the instrument well (first and foremost), and I want them to be able to have fun and achieve what they came into the lessons trying to achieve, whether it be becoming a world class musician, or a fun friend who can play all your favorite songs at parties. Music is my life, and hopefully, in studying with me, I can show you why. *** Lesson Details *** I like to have fun in lessons, because most beginning students want music to fun, not a chore. However, I like to base the lesson plan on the goals of the student. If their goal is to really buckle down and work hard on honing their skills as a musician, I am fully up to that task. After the first few months with me, any student should have a basic understanding of the guitar, and should be able to play several chords and scales, and understand how they work and are constructed. The curriculum I use is totally based on the level of the student. *** Studio Equipment *** Home: lessons in home in living room, basses, guitars, amps / Music Garage: private space, basses, guitars *** Travel Equipment *** They should have an instrument and preferably an amplifier, but it's not essential. *** Specialties *** I play a variety of different musical styles from classical to jazz to progressive heavy metal.