thePULSESo You Want to Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll God?
These Local Musicians Can Teach You How
by Brian Goslow
You don’t have to play air guitar all your life. If you’re one of those people who dreams of taking over a stage like your favorite musicians do, there are a number of top rate players in the Worcester area ready to share their knowledge with you.
Union Music has a staff of 10 musicians at its Teaching and Rehearsal Complex who can instruct you on any instrument, in any genre. Take David Dick whose students range from one-time visitors to career musicians looking for a one-off session to break out of a rut. “With a beginner student, they can’t learn a lot at first,” says the renowned banjo player who also teaches guitar. “I ask them to make a three month commitment.” Students at Union Music, who pay between $17 and $20 for a half-hour session, range in age from 6 to 60. Call (508) 753-3702.
The commitment of one former Kurlan Music student paid off big time. “Matt Scannell of platinum-selling Vertical Horizon took guitar classes here as a kid,” says owner Paul Gervais. ” And a lot of our students go onto Berklee and other music schools.” Although Kurlan, located at 17 East Mountain Street in Worcester, currently has a waiting list, you’ll usually get your first lesson within two weeks. Teachers include guitarist Jim Perry and drummer Joe Giotta (of the Bee’s Knees); piano instruction is also available. Private half-hour lessons cost $20; call (508) 853-6417.
Clemente Music Studio offers instruction in guitar, bass guitar, fretless bass, piano, and flute in styles ranging “from classical to metal, and everything in between.” Hundreds of area musicians, including guitarists Dan Hunt (The Red Riders) and Paul Courchaine (Craig), who now teach alongside them, credit Rich Falco, Doug Moore, Joe D’Angelo, and Robin Steiger with having helped them expand their horizons as guitarists,. Call (508) 754-7319 or visit clemente-music.com. Clemente Music Studio is located at 43 Granite Street in Worcester.
While many musicians give lessons at area stores or schools, others teach at home. Former Fabulous Thunderbirds guitarist Troy Gonyea has a well-earned reputation as a world-class blues player; he’s currently making waves with his rock-oriented band The Howl. Specializing in all styles of blues, rock ‘n’ roll, R&B and soul, he’s now giving private lessons in the Worcester County area. Contact him at Troy@ChurchoftheHowl.com or (508) 423-1124.
Guitarist Jay Tyer primarily teaches jazz-oriented musicians. “I am all about improvisation theory,” says the long-time host of the Java Hut Jazz Jam, where his
students are encouraged to strengthen their chops in front of a live audience. Tyer charges $40 per hour and can be contacted at jpt@jaytyer.com.
Drummer Dan Kirouac has been performing for over two decades and teaching since 1991. “My forte is to teach the basics,” says Kirouac, who performs with Beatles tribute Yellow Submarine as well as with Two of Us and Strongbatch. “I teach rock and pop drumming and focus on the rudiments, warm-up exercises, basic music, measure-counting and drum chart-reading,” says Kirouac, who charges $60 per month for four weekly half-hour sessions taught on his electronic drum kit. Email him at dankirouac@hotmail.com.
