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Blues Guitar

Learn authentic styles, electric or acoustic from our stable of professional players.

Deep in our souls we all have the blues to some extent. Tap into this basic human emotion and bring it out with musical expression. We provide classes in traditional acoustic blues and low down electric styles. In many ways, the blues are the measure of a player, super-charge your playing by learning from some of Chicago's finest.

Walking Bass Groove Lab

Intermediate

Monday with Harlan Terson

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

An hour long lab to make you “badder”

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Basics of Chicago Blues: Get Ready for the Blues Band Live Experience

Intermediate

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Blues Fingerstyle 1

Beginner

This class alternates every session with Blues Fingerstyle 2. Mark your calendar and be sure to sign up next session.

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Blues Fingerstyle 2: The Slide

Intermediate

Monday with Chris Walz

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Take the fingerpicking, rhythms and regional styles of the country Blues you've learned in level 1, and concentrate on open tunings and bottleneck slide in level 2.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Lead Guitar: Soloing for Beginners

Intermediate

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Electric Guitar Styles Overdrive

Intermediate

Wednesday with Dan Fulkerson

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Enhancement medication for the electric guitarist.

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Acoustic Blues Guitar Repertoire

Intermediate

Saturday with Paul Kaye

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Continue working on the music of great traditional blues artists.

Location: Online

Aimee Mann Songbag with Tommi Zender & Carey Anne Farrell

WorkshopOpen to All

Tuesday with Carey Farrell or Tommi Zender

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 1 week  ·  $30 ($28 members)

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Barre Chords Demystified: Play Across the Neck with Confidence

Intermediate

Thursday with Charles Kim

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Freddy King: The Texas Cannonball

IntermediateNew!

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Guitar Riffs: Beginner-Intermediate

Open to All

Wednesday with Dan Fulkerson

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Introduction to Acoustic Blues Guitar

Intermediate

Saturday with Paul Kaye

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Online

Rhythm Guitar Essentials: Building Timing and Groove

Beginner

Monday with Dan Fulkerson

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Park - Armitage Ave

Robert Johnson: A Man for all Keys

Intermediate

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

The Songs of Bob Dylan

IntermediateNew!

Tuesday with John Mead

80 minutes  ·  Once a week for 8 weeks  ·  $256 ($236 members)

Location: Lincoln Square - Lincoln Ave Campus

Private Lesson Options

Our private lessons like our group classes run in 8-week sessions, however, you can begin private lessons during any week in the session. Please call our customer service folks at 773.728.6000 to register as private lesson availability is based upon individual teacher schedules.

Lessons are scheduled weekly, for 30, 45 or 60 minutes, and are available every day of the week at our Lincoln Square and Lincoln Park locations. Our experienced and professional faculty will work with you to develop an individualized program that helps you achieve your musical goals.

Stop in at either location or call the front desk at 773.728.6000 to register.


8-week Session Prices

$346 for 30 minutes ($336 for members)

$495 for 45 minutes ($480 for members)

$635 for 60 minutes ($615 for members)


Session & Registration Dates

8-week lessons: 04/28/2025 – 06/22/2025

Monday 03/24/25: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 04/07/25: Transfer registration

Wednesday 04/09/25: Open registration

8-week lessons: 06/23/2025 – 08/17/2025

Monday 05/19/25: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 06/02/25: Transfer registration

Wednesday 06/04/25: Open registration

8-week lessons: 09/01/2025 – 10/26/2025

Monday 07/14/25: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 07/28/25: Transfer registration

Wednesday 07/30/25: Open registration

8-week lessons: 10/27/2025 – 12/21/2025

Monday 09/22/25: Re-registration for current students begins

Monday 10/06/25: Transfer registration

Wednesday 10/08/25: Open registration


Teachers

Click for teacher profiles and schedules

Bill Brickey »
Guitar, Wiggleworms Program, Drummers, Voice for Guitarists

Steve Hutchins »
Guitar, Blues Band Live!

Paul Kaye »
Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin

Shoji Naito »
Guitar, Harmonica (Blues & Jazz), Ukulele, Bass

Harlan Terson »
Bass Guitar, Guitar

Chris Walz »
Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin

Chris Winters »
Guitar, Ukulele