Teachers at the Old Town School

Charles Kim

Bass, Composition, Guitar, Songwriting, Ukulele

Rock Pop Improvisation Jazz Theory

Songwriting, Composition and Improvisation, Rock, Blues, Jazz, Fingerstyle, Flatpicking, Open Tunings, Slide, Bass, Music Theory, Ear Training, Alternative/Indie Rock

A recipient of The Old Town School Of Folk Music’s 2016 Distinguished Teaching Artist award, Charles loves to teach beginning to advanced students who are open to new ideas and excited and eager to create something new. You can take private lessons with Charles or experience his teaching in a group guitar, ensemble, or songwriting class. Guitarists and bassists can bring in their favorite songs to explore the technique of their instrument, whether you want to study rock, country, funk, classical, fingerstyle, blues, jazz, or just want to improve your overall playing.
 
Songwriters can bring in ideas that they haven't completed, either to learn the craft of using chords, melodies, lyrics and structure, or to help with new approaches to songwriting. He's also taught students how to write a pop-song, how to figure out their favorite tunes, work on band arrangements, and get ready for the recording studio.
 
Charles has appeared on more than 30 albums, works as a producer/recorder, and written works for theater, dance companies and film.

Education: Charles has studied with McArthur Grant Recipient Ken Vandermark for Jazz Studies and Improvisation, and studied Classical Guitar at Vanderbilt University.

Started at the Old Town School in January of 1999

Upcoming Workshops

Sun. October 15, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM · 4544 N Lincoln Ave
Making Friends with Barre Chords »

The lament of the guitarist after the first couple of classes: “ARGGHH, barre chords!” Have no fear - there is hope! In this workshop, you’ll develop the muscles and theory to play bar chords across the neck and learn how to move fluidly from open chords and other chord forms.

IntermediateProgram: Guitar

$25 ($24 members)

REGISTER NOW
Sun. October 15, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM · 4544 N Lincoln Ave
Songwriting Secrets of the Beatles »

Unprecedented in popular music for their quantity and quality of great songs, The Beatles were a self-contained compositional powerhouse. Learn the techniques and tricks of how John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison sculpted lyrics, chords and melodies into timeless classes. A workshop designed for all levels of songwriters and Fab Four fanatics!

Open to AllProgram: Songwriting

$25 ($24 members)

REGISTER NOW

Private Lessons in the 8-week session beginning 09/04/2017

Mondays 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm at 4544 N Lincoln Ave
Tuesdays 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm at 4545 N Lincoln Ave
Wednesdays 2:45 pm – 5:00 pm at 4545 N Lincoln Ave
Wednesdays 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm at 4545 N Lincoln Ave
Thursdays 4:00 pm – 7:30 pm at 4544 N Lincoln Ave
Fridays 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm at 4544 N Lincoln Ave

Group Classes for the session beginning 09/04/2017

Finish Your Damn Songs! with Charles Kim
$172 ($163 members)
for 7 weeks
09/11/2017 – 10/23/2017Mondays · 6:30 PM – 7:50 PM4544 N Lincoln AveREGISTER NOW
Guitar 3 Repertoire with Charles Kim
$172 ($163 members)
for 7 weeks
09/11/2017 – 10/23/2017Mondays · 8:00 PM – 9:20 PM4544 N Lincoln AveREGISTER NOW
Ensemble Basics with Charles Kim
$200 ($190 members)
for 8 weeks
09/05/2017 – 10/24/2017Tuesdays · 6:30 PM – 7:50 PM4545 N Lincoln AveREGISTER NOW
Guitar 2 Repertoire with Charles Kim
$196 ($186 members)
for 8 weeks
09/05/2017 – 10/24/2017Tuesdays · 8:00 PM – 9:20 PM4544 N Lincoln AveREGISTER NOW
Guitar 3 with Charles Kim
$196 ($186 members)
for 8 weeks
09/06/2017 – 10/25/2017Wednesdays · 6:30 PM – 7:50 PM4545 N Lincoln AveREGISTER NOW
Beatles for Beginners with Charles Kim
The music of the Fab Four simplified for those who have only played a short while.		$200 ($190 members)
for 8 weeks
09/07/2017 – 10/26/2017Thursdays · 8:30 PM – 9:50 PM4544 N Lincoln AveREGISTER NOW
Guitar 4 with Charles Kim
$196 ($186 members)
for 8 weeks
09/09/2017 – 10/28/2017Saturdays · 11:00 AM – 12:20 PM4544 N Lincoln AveREGISTER NOW
Classic Album Ensemble with Charles Kim
$200 ($190 members)
for 8 weeks
09/09/2017 – 10/28/2017Saturdays · 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM4545 N Lincoln AveREGISTER NOW
Ensemble Basics with Charles Kim
$200 ($190 members)
for 8 weeks
09/09/2017 – 10/28/2017Saturdays · 2:30 PM – 3:50 PM4545 N Lincoln AveREGISTER NOW

Group Classes for the session beginning 10/30/2017

Songwriting: Fundamentals with Charles Kim
$196 ($186 members)
for 8 weeks
10/30/2017 – 12/18/2017Mondays · 6:30 PM – 7:50 PM4544 N Lincoln AveREGISTER NOW
Ensemble Basics with Charles Kim
$200 ($190 members)
for 8 weeks
10/31/2017 – 12/19/2017Tuesdays · 6:30 PM – 7:50 PM4545 N Lincoln AveREGISTER NOW
Beatles for Beginners with Charles Kim
The music of the Fab Four simplified for those who have only played a short while.		$175 ($166 members)
for 7 weeks
11/02/2017 – 12/21/2017Thursdays · 8:30 PM – 9:50 PM4544 N Lincoln AveREGISTER NOW
Classic Album Ensemble with Charles Kim
Session 6: “Raw Power” Iggy and the Stooges Before there was punk, there was Iggy and The Stooges. This is 1972! ‘Search And Destroy’, ‘Gimme Danger’, ‘Penetration’, ‘Shake Appeal’, and ‘Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell’ catch the Stooges in their final stage of fuzzy fury! Open to guitars, bass, drums, vocals and Detroit punks.   		$200 ($190 members)
for 8 weeks
11/04/2017 – 12/23/2017Saturdays · 1:00 PM – 2:20 PM4545 N Lincoln AveREGISTER NOW
Ensemble Basics with Charles Kim
$200 ($190 members)
for 8 weeks
11/04/2017 – 12/23/2017Saturdays · 2:30 PM – 3:50 PM4545 N Lincoln AveREGISTER NOW

The Old Town School of Folk Music, Inc.
4544 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago IL 60625  •  773.728.6000

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