A message from Jim...

"The lessons are FUN! Students bring in music they want to play (cassette or CD) and I work it into the lesson. Advance students, adults and teenagers are always bringing in interesting music to make their lesson very individual to their interests and love for music. This is a great motivational tool, and I learn lots of new music too! Since the lessons are only 30 minutes long, this type of "transcription session" should only be a part of the lesson, so that students engage in a comprehensive approach, and reach a level which reflects positively on the lesson venue. I record examples of how things "go" to help the students by modeling the playing and write almost everything down in tablature form (picture form) so that most anyone can learn how to play the guitar, but reading standard notation IS part of the lesson. Advance lessons focus on improvisation, fretboard theory and composition and is at the collegiate level.The students need to bring a spiral music paper notebook (a regular spiral notebook will do in a pinch), a good quality blank cassette tape, a source tape (this is optional) and a guitar. It is very important that the students have a notebook and not loose sheets. I sequence and tailor the lessons for the student based on their interest and level. It is not uncommon for me to see a student months and even years after a lesson (whew) so it is helpful to have all the material together, and in the order of the week to week lessons. The optional source tape is the tape of music the student wants to learn. It can be a whole song, part of a song or a solo and the tape should be cued to the exact listening section. Feel free to inquire about special concerns including disabilities, special projects and scheduling. It is YOUR individual lesson! Very young students should have the parents at the lesson so the adults can help the children at home it they forget something. Many parents secretly want to be guitar players so this is a good reason for them to get involved!

Happy pickin' !

jimKanas

Lesson Policy, Expectations, Description and
Teacher Background

Lessons are scheduled through personal email to jim. It is expected that a student show up for a lesson or pay for it. Makeup lessons are usually not scheduled. Occasionally there are extraordinary circumstances that can be considered and a group makeup lesson/class might be scheduled. Lessons proceed after the student demonstrates an understanding, grasp of or proficiency of lesson material, this does not mean mastery, just a demonstration that there has been notable progress. In many cases it is expected that a student may need to "extra time" between lessons to work on lesson material, and then subsequently get the most out of the next sessions/lessons. In order for Mr. Kanas to provide the highest quality lesson possible, he must continue to be engaged as a performing artist. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be periods when lessons are not available do to travel and performances. Lessons are non-auditioned but it is expected that the student will be open minded toward all styles of music.

Jim Kanas offers lessons primarily in guitar styles at all levels including, advanced improvisation, fret-board theory and classical. This includes a wide range of American music roots styles ranging from jazz and blues to folk and bluegrass as well as popular and contemporary genres a per student requests. As a multi-instrumentalist he teaches the following instruments stylistically, banjo, fiddle, dulcimer, pedal-steel guitar, mandolin and dobro as well as fret-board theory as applied to fretted bass guitar.

Jim Kanas has received guidance by many, and his students will benefit from this. Some of Jim's teachers, mentors and experiences include: classical guitar study with Richard Pick and Leon Borkowski; fret board theory and jazz guitar improvisation George Allen, Jack Peterson, Arnie Evenson, Pat Metheny, George Christensen (master student of Sandoli, Pat Martino's teacher) and consulting with George Benson; attendance of many clinics including personal correspondence on improvisational processes with Gary Burton; clinics and workshops lead by Stan Kenton, Jamey Aebersold and widely recognized staff from the Berkeley School of Music. Jim Kanas has attended Boston University and has received an interdisciplinary music performance degree from Northern Illinois University where he studied composition, music theory, advanced guitar techniques and American folk instruments, including scholarship for graduate courses in music education, vocal techniques and certification K-12. Jim was nominated for Teacher of the Year at Kishwaukee College and Alumnus of the Year at Northern Illinois University and has received a National Leadership Award. Jim won the Outstanding Guitarist Award at the Oak Lawn Jazz Festival for two years running at an early age.

. Jim Kanas is recognized as a multi-instrumentalist and jazz guitarist and is an Artist-in-Residence and ArtsTour Artist with the Illinois Arts Council. He has performed throughout the state on broadcast media and in concerts and festivals. Some of the artists Jim Kanas has performed with include Corky Siegel, Howard Levy, Randy Sabien, Johnny Frigo, Fareed Haque, Muriel Anderson, Diane Deline and others. Jim has performed informally with Alison Krause, Steve Goodman, Jethro Burns and Vassar Clements and was featured on PBS Chicago Public television.

see jazz guitarist for more on jim's educational background