Lessons

I teach beginning and intermediate harmonica. With 40+ years of experience as a musician, I offer a casual and fun atmosphere for learning to play harmonica. Instruction is very light on theory and concentrates instead on practical skills with a focus on listening and learning how to play music with others. I specialize in teaching beginners and intermediate players who want to expedite the learning curve. While my personal musical focus is blues, I can teach you the building blocks that will allow you to play many styles, especially Blues, Folk, Jazz and Popular Ballads.

RECORDING
Students are encouraged to record every lesson for reference later. A smart-phone, portable tape recorder, mini-recorder, or simple voice recorder should work just fine for this.

RESOURCES
Email is my primary communication tool. I can email you any handouts we cover in our lessons, and will be happy to send you links to a number of great online learning tools (students only).

ASSESSMENT
We'll start out with an interview of about half an hour for which there is no charge. Although in some instances this could be by phone, generally it is a face to face process. The purpose of this interview is for me to assess your current status and your goals and needs so we can determine if I can help you, if we get along OK, and how we'll work together on your goals. Subsequent to this interview, I'll send you a proposed syllabus. Once we've agreed on your course of study, we'll start your lessons.

SCHEDULING and LOCATION
Lessons are typically scheduled weekly, a month at a time. Available lesson times are select week-nights or Saturday mornings, at a private office in Normal Heights. If you're not available during these times, contact me and let's discuss your situation. Once we've completed an assessment, you can reserve a time slot via email or phone. At this time, lessons are in-person only.

COST
Lessons are $25 per half-hour, paid one month at a time. Seminars or workshops for groups are occasionally available, and different rates apply for those.

CANCELLATIONS / LATE ARRIVAL
Please be respectful of my time (and I'll treat yours the same way). If you can not make a scheduled lesson, call me in advance. Failure to do so could result in ridicule and false stories about what you did at the bar on Friday night. Seriously, if you cancel and we can't re-schedule be fore your next regular lesson I will charge you for that time slot if it goes unfilled.