Reggie Chavez

Introduction: Hello My name is Reggie Chavez, I am a Phoenix based guitar instructor, and I've enjoyed teaching beginning to advanced guitar, bass students for over 30 years, and slide guitar, lap steel, and dobro for over the past 20 years. My years as a teacher and working musician can provide a student, of any level, the foundation he or she needs to improve their playing, and enjoyment. Having grown up outside of Los Angeles, I had the opportunity to play music in many styles, From top 40/classic rock, to blues, jazz, and country, not to mention playing guitar with one of top rated college jazz ensembles in the Southern California area (at Chaffey College). Roadside honky tonks, and bars, to country clubs, weddings, and hotel/resort engagements. All this experience has provided a solid foundation for me as a teacher, and I bring that experience to my teaching. My education is also an important part of what makes my teaching stand out. Along with "on the job training", and opportunity to learn from the many "seasoned" pros I've had the pleasure to work with, I've had the opportunity to study at the academic level, and privately, with some of best musicians/educators. Joyce Shannon, at Chaffey College (theory, and ear training, sight singing), Jack Mason, and Jim Linahon, Chaffey College Jazz Ensamble. Eddie Arkin (scales, modes, chord study and jazz guitar in general), Dave Patt (sight reading), Jody Fisher (everything guitar, and mentor). Along with my private study, I attended The Dick Grove School on Music. My education there included classes on improvisation, theory/harmony, rhythmic sight reading, and special seminars with Tommy Tedesco, Eddie Arkin, Dave Patt, and Jimmy Wybel. For 19 years, I was on the staff of NGW (National Guitar Workshop), a summer guitar program. At NGW, I taught classes, in blues, and rock guitar, and a blues seminar called Blues Chops. These workshops, and seminars were taught at universities, and colleges across the US including Redlands Ca, Claremont Ca. San Francisco, Austin Tx, Chicago, Nashville Tn, and Connecticut. I bring this, and much more to all my lessons. Along with my teaching, and other musical projects, I’m currently playing guitar with the Phoenix College Jazz Ensemble. The opportunity to see the look in as on a student "get it". The joy of seeing, and the look of satisfaction when a student reaches a certain goal, or level of accomplishment. I also enjoy playing music, and interacting with my students. Playing rhythm guitar, while student learns how to improvise. Or, teaching the student how to sing a song and play rhythm guitar.