1^st lesson free

Ian

5 (3 reviews)

Rate $88
Response 1h
Students
Number of students Ian has accompanied since arriving at Superprof
46
Number of students Ian has accompanied since arriving at Superprof

5 (3 reviews)

$88/hr

1^st lesson free

Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Electric guitar

Experienced tutor in Guitar in Pittsburgh, Ian offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Electric guitar

Lesson location

- online

About Ian

I’ve been studying music for 41 years. I’d say studying guitar but really it’s been so much more than just that. It’s been a lifelong passion of listening to, watching, and learning the history of so many genres of great music. From age 8 when my father brought home a much over-sized for my little hands Fender 12 string acoustic I knew there was something incredible at my fingertips and that I’d found a lifelong companion.

Growing up in Pittsburgh I received formal training in rock and jazz while also being granted a scholarship for classical guitar from Mercyhurst University. I am also a registered tutor with London College of Music. I recently spent 16 years in the Pacific Northwest performing both as a solo artist and in bands before moving back home in 2017.

These days, you’ll find me playing with my bands Outside Eliza & Calico Dogs, and enjoying teaching guitar while helping other people experience the same creative joy that’s brought me so much pleasure over the years. We've been in business since 2017 and have grown our student pool and added an additional instructor.

I started teaching from a very young age and quite inadvertently. By playing for friends, in school bands, and later as a working musician people have asked if I could show them how to play. I've always been more than happy to share the knowledge I have whatever their level. I truly and honestly love watching people learn and progress.

I have over 38 years of experience performing, playing, teaching, and continued education. I've had formal training in rock & jazz and I was granted a scholarship to Mercyhurst College for Classical in 1993. I am also a registered tutor with the London College of Music.

About the lesson

The first thing I want to know from every new student I meet is what their personal goals are for learning the guitar. What music do you listen to? What are you're expectations from taking lessons? How do you learn best? I want students to feel comfortable and enjoy their lessons. I work for you after all. After learning about my student I then work on a lesson plan approach where we can integrate basic music fundamentals and fretboard theory into the things they actually want to learn and realize the real world application to these new concepts.

I've worked with people of varying ages and abilities. From children to adults, beginners to experienced players who've tried but stalled out either with their past teachers or trying to plug away on their own using books or websites.

Make sure you find the right fit for you. Your teacher should be interested in your personal path, not in teaching you a rigid structure that they want to force feed you. It's also as much a personal relationship as it is a business relationship so be sure you find someone you actually enjoy spending an hour of your week with. Learning an instrument should be fun and educational.

My band very recently had the opportunity to open for nationally touring indie music darlings The Sea The Sea at Pittsburgh's Club Cafe and we were exceptionally well recieved!

Reviews

All of our reviews are collected by us and are 100% reliable. They correspond to a real experience had by the students of Ian.

5 (3 reviews)

S

Sharie
- 5
Perfect! I liked that during our first meeting Ian asked me about my background in music, what my goals are in learning how to play the guitar, how I like the lessons to be structured and what songs I would like to play. I've had music lessons before and my teacher would always set everything up for me and tell me what books to buy and doesn't even bother to ask why I wanted to learn how to play that instrument in the 1st place. Ian made learning guitar fun by picking songs that I wanted to learn which makes me want to practice more. If I was having trouble playing a certain chord or following a rhythm/timing, he would suggest alternative ways to play/think about it. He is very knowledgeable, patient, kind, understanding and encouraging. Honestly, one of the best teachers I've had!
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S

Sharie

Perfect! I liked that during our first meeting Ian asked me about my background in music, what my goals are in learning how to play the guitar, how I like the lessons to be structured and what songs I would like to play. I've had music lessons before and my teacher would always set everything up for me and tell me what books to buy and doesn't even bother to ask why I wanted to learn how to play that instrument in the 1st place. Ian made learning guitar fun by picking songs that I wanted to learn which makes me want to practice more. If I was having trouble playing a certain chord or following a rhythm/timing, he would suggest alternative ways to play/think about it. He is very knowledgeable, patient, kind, understanding and encouraging. Honestly, one of the best teachers I've had!
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Recommendations

Recommendations come from relatives, friends and acquaintances of the teacher

Mimi

The instructor (Ian Cain) is incredibly patient and knowledgeable. I was nervous about whether I would be able to learn from him since I've tried on my own and didn't do well at all (books, YouTube, etc.) but soon realized that having a live person show me how to adjust what I thought would be horribly wrong (...and in truth was just a little off) made learning a much less daunting idea. I'm really impressed by how much he knows. He had answers for my questions and made note of what I was interested in learning. I'd recommend him to anyone that has always wanted to play guitar but has been to nervous to start.
Read more

M
Mimi
The instructor (Ian Cain) is incredibly patient and knowledgeable. I was nervous about whether I would be able to learn from him since I've tried on my own and didn't do well at all (books, YouTube, etc.) but soon realized that having a live person show me how to adjust what I thought would be horribly wrong (...and in truth was just a little off) made learning a much less daunting idea. I'm really impressed by how much he knows. He had answers for my questions and made note of what I was interested in learning. I'd recommend him to anyone that has always wanted to play guitar but has been to nervous to start.
Frank

Ian is patient and even tempered. He is a very talented musician.
Read more

F
Frank
Ian is patient and even tempered. He is a very talented musician.
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Pack prices

5h: $440
10h: $880

free lessons

The first lesson with Ian will allow you to get to know each other and discuss your needs for future lessons.

online

$88/h

Details

Individual lesson rates are very affordable at $30/45min. and $25/30min. for young beginners which is competitive for the Pittsburgh area market.

Experienced tutor in Guitar in Pittsburgh, Ian offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

Lesson location

Recommended

About Ian

About the lesson

Reviews

Recommendations

Rates

Rate

Pack prices

free lessons

online

Details

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Experienced tutor in Guitar in Pittsburgh, Ian offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

Lesson location

Recommended

About Ian

About the lesson

Reviews

Recommendations

Rates

Rate

Pack prices

free lessons

online

Details

Similar Guitar tutors in Pittsburgh

Albert

Justin

Luke

Amy

Shane

Ryan

Dave Coleclough

Jonathan

Don Celsus Shenal Iranga

Nigel

Binny

Richard

Kim

Tyrone

Chris

Chotan Krishna

Floyd

Felix

Sameer

Gregory

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