Matt Brown's Guitar Studio

My teaching approach: I teach all styles of music, but tend to focus on fundamental musicianship skills.

I have 16 years of professional teaching experience and 17 years of professional playing experience. Over the past 16 years, I've taught over 120 students of all age and ability levels. In the past, I was a guitar instructor for JamPlay.com and Capital University's Community Music School. I'm currently the guitarist and vocalist for Chicago-based band Dead Parade. I also play various theater, wedding, and restaurant gigs around Chicago.

My influences are: I listen to just about every style of music - Nirvana, Tool, Bjork, Run The Jewels, Miles Davis, SRV, Hendrix, Coltrane, Leo Brouwer, etc.

My guitar lessons take place in: My home or online with Skype.

Guitar lessons typically take place on these days and hours: Sunday - Thursday: 9 a.m. CST to 8 p.m. Friday: 9 a.m. CST to 6 p.m.

Guitar Techniques: Lead guitar, Rhythm guitar, Open tuning, Fingerstyle, Slide Guitar, Performance, Improvisation, Jamming Skills, Reading Music, Music Theory, Scales and Exercises, Song Writing, Recording and Production, Guidance In Equipment Selection

Your first guitar lesson with me might include the following: Prior to the lesson, I contact the student to learn about his/her experience and goals. The first lesson typically involves an assessment of the students and abilities. Then, usually the remainder of the lesson is spent breaking bad habits and establishing a strong foundation that can be built on in future lessons. Students have the option of filming their lessons. That way, they have a reference recording of me performing lesson materials, and the students can assess their progress.

A guitar lesson with me might entail the following: I tailor each lesson to help each student reach his/her own unique goals. I teach all genres, but I tend to focus on fundamental musicianship skills. That way, each student develops a solid foundation that can be applied to any musical situation. Right from the start, the primary goal is to play music. I structure my curriculum as such; lesson plans are customized for each student so that he/she is able to reach his/her goals in the most fun and efficient manner possible. I prefer not to bombard students with boring drills. Instead, technical practice is taught within a fun song or piece.

The qualities I look for in an ideal guitar student might include the following: The ideal guitar student works hard at practicing. Period.

I love seeing students succeed with whatever their goals might be! It's always a huge plus when they have a blast doing it!