Reggie's Rhythm Room (In Person, and Remote)

Greetings,

My given name is Reggie Chavez, and I am a guitar instructor located in Phoenix. It has been my pleasure to teach students of all levels for over three decades, including those just getting started and advanced players alike. Additionally, I specialize in slide guitar, lap steel, and dobro, with over twenty years of experience in these niche areas.

Growing up outside of Los Angeles has afforded me the opportunity to perform music in many styles, from top 40/classic rock to blues, jazz, and country. I have played guitar with one of Southern California's most outstanding college jazz ensembles at Chaffey College and have performed in a variety of venues, including roadside honky-tonks, bars, country clubs, weddings, and hotels/resorts. This diversity in performance experience has laid a significant foundation for me as a teacher, which I am delighted to bring to my work.

My educational background is essential to my teaching approach. Alongside real-world experience and learning from other seasoned professionals, I have had the privilege of studying under some of the finest musicians and educators around. They include Joyce Shannon at Chaffey College for theory and ear training and Jack Mason and Jim Linahon for jazz ensemble at the same institution. Eddie Arkin instructed me in scales, modes, chord study, and jazz guitar, and Dave Patt taught me sight reading. Additionally, Jody Fisher served as both a mentor and taught me everything I know about guitar. I furthered my education by attending The Dick Grove School of Music, where I learned about improvisation, theory/harmony, rhythmic sight reading, and attended special seminars with Tommy Tedesco, Eddie Arkin, Dave Patt, and Jimmy Wybel.

In addition, I have had the opportunity to instruct classes on blues, rock guitar, and a blues seminar called Blues Chops during NGW, a summer guitar program, for nineteen years. These workshops were taught in universities and colleges across the US, including Redlands, Claremont, San Francisco, Austin, Chicago, Nashville, and Connecticut. I bring all of this knowledge and experience to my lessons, and much more.

When I'm not teaching, I'm currently playing guitar for the Phoenix College Jazz Ensemble. Nothing brings me greater joy than seeing my students "get it" and witnessing their satisfaction when they reach a particular goal or level of accomplishment. I am eager to interact with my students and encourage them to play rhythm guitar while they learn how to improvise, or sing a song while playing rhythm guitar.

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to our musical endeavors.

Warmly,
Reggie Chavez

Acoustic, Electric, I can make a recommendation

Rock, Blues, Country, Folk, Jazz, Classical, Recommendations available