About
Hello, my name is Kevin McClain of McMusic Lessons & Performances. Teaching music allows me to share music on a different level from performing. I love seeing the light bulb turn on in the minds of my students during the learning process. As an educated composer and music theorist, I provide music lessons on the guitar and piano. Lessons can be taken at home, in studio, or online. Pay as you go or prepay for discounted rates. Lessons are followed by detailed practice outlines and video examples of songs and exercises to ensure progress from week to week. Students and parents recieved online student profiles to help manage schedules, payments, homework, and more. The service includes free make up lessons, flexable scheduling, and online resources to access sheet music and exercises. Contact me to schedule a phone or video conference. We can discuss musical goals and availability for a trial lesson before purchase. Trial lessons are provided based on availability.
Details
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
No payment information is required to schedule a phone or video conference and trial lesson. The instructor contacts customers within 24 hours to discuss musical goals, enrollment options, and availability befor purchase. After a trial video chat music lesson, options to continue on pay as you go basis or prepay for discounted rates are available . Customers receive an invoiced quote with options to make payment and book the availability discussed.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
The instructor at McMusic Lessons & Performances is classically trained, but also has extensive experience playing, writing, and teaching in all styles. As a music theorist, majoring in musical composition, the teacher actively studies, writes, and performs jazz, blues, funk, rock, fusion, bluegrass, folk, country, reggae, alternative and more...
Kevin McClain received his associates of arts at Moraine Valley Community College and was recommended to DePaul university's School of Music in 2009. "My degree was left unfinished to take an opertuninty to teach in Fort Bragg, NC, being that my wife was going to be stationed there in 2012. We returned to the Chicagoland area to continue pursuing a musical education in 2018". Kevin majors in theory and composition and takes instrumental classes on jazz guitar, piano, flute, violin and more.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
1.) Single pay as you go music lessons $40 / 0.5 HR or $80 / HR
2.) Monthly Pay As You Go = 1 Month at $38/0.5HR or $70/HR with a minimum of 1 Lesson / WK
Please note, prepaid discounts are provided for students who have been enrolled for a minimum of one month. Discounts are provided on months of which have been prepaid a minimum of 30 days in advance.
3.) Monthly Prepaid Discounted Enrollment = $35/0.5HR or $66/HR at 2 Months Prepaid enrollment with a minimum of 1 Lesson/WK
4.) Quarterly prepaid discounted enrollment $33 / 0.5 HR or $60 / HR at 3 months prepaid enrollment with a minimum of 1 lesson/wk
5.) 6 months prepaid discounted enrollment $30 / 0.5 HR or $60 / HR at 6 months prepaid enrollment with a minimum of one lesson/wk
How did you get started teaching?
McMusic Lessons & Performances was established by musician, composer, and teacher, Kevin McClain in 2008. "I've been playing music ever since I can remember. Playing by ear in my earlier years and growing up on the music of Frank Zappa, Led Zepplin, and the Doors, I started to love sharing my discoveries with friends and family. As I matured musically, I played music in various amateur bands all through grade school and High School and began expanding my interests to jazz, classical, bluegrass, folk, and just about any new style I could find. By the time I was ready for college, I was fascinated with theory and composition. I Majored in composition, while I focused on techniques of the classical guitar, jazz guitar, piano, violin, and flute. I moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 2012 to support my wife and her commitment to the US Military. I began providing music lessons to my students in Chicago and all of the United States with remote learning on Skype and other various applications. I moved back to Chicago in 2018, residing in Palos Hills. I recently relocated McMusic Lessons & Performances to Crestwood, Illinois in 2021. McMusic Lessons & Performances now provides guitar and piano lessons to any location with in-studio, house call, or online music lessons.
What types of students have you worked with?
Most of my students are beginning level children but I have had experience teaching all ages as young as 3 and as old as 95. I have tutored college level students in theory I - IV. As a composer, I am well versed in analyzing any style of music. I have experience teaching and performing rock, alternative, classical, jazz, jam-band, improvisation, country, bluegrass, and folk.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I love performing. Most recent performance required a classical guitar performance at a wedding and classic rock cover band performance at the reception. I've also performed in bluegrass, rock, alternative, classical, reggae, jam band music and more.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Theory is just as, and sometimes more, important than pattern recognition. Pattern recognition is only one skill among many. Be sure to focus on ear training, spatial orientation, and thinking intervalically in addition to pattern recognition and memorization.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Time and effort produces results. Make sure you have both to experience progress. Be patient with exercises and songs. Rushing only creates bad habits that will impede progress.