“Bluegrass has brought more people together and made more friends than any music in the world.”

- Bill Monroe, 1996

Photo: Bluegrass in the Ko’olaus Campout, Oahu, Hawaii

Guitar Lessons

If you’re thinking about starting guitar, looking to grow your skills, or are interested in trying bluegrass – now is the time!  All ages and skill levels are welcome.

Virtual classes or in-person options available in the Downers Grove, Illinois area. Dan also teaches at A Sound Education in Brookfield.

Lessons begin with a solid foundation in the basics of music and guitar playing, then each lesson plan is tailored to the individual’s goals, needs, and interests. Happy to teach any type of music that his students are into, Dan is particularly passionate about teaching bluegrass music, a uniquely accessible and beautiful genre that has something to offer everyone. 

Please get in touch with any questions and to discuss pricing and schedule. First lesson is always free.

Our goal is to help students play music with confidence and joy, preparing them for the wonder of playing music in a group.  After all, the best part of learning to play music is sharing it with others.


Dan’s teaching philosophy is based on the belief that everyone is musical and it’s just about expressing that musicality through an instrument. Notes and theory are a fraction of what makes a strong musician, there’s also Groove, Articulation, Emotion, Technique, Dynamics, Rhythm/Tempo, Tone, Phrasing, Space, and most importantly, Listening.

  • Learn the basics of guitar playing from the ground up- tuning, basic chords, and strumming.

  • Expand your guitar playing skills with more advanced techniques, like scales, soloing, and improvisation.

  • Learn the basics of flatpicking guitar, a style of guitar playing that’s popular in bluegrass music. Learn the role of the guitar in a bluegrass stringband.

  • Improve your bluegrass guitar playing skills with more advanced techniques, like transcribing, bluegrass improvisation and harmony.

  • Learn how to flatpick fiddle tunes and traditional bluegrass melodies on guitar.

  • Learn how to jam with other musicians, which is a fun and rewarding way to play any genre of music.