AJ Hanson

I received my first guitar in kindergarten but my hands were just to small, so I set the guitar aside. However, I always had this connection to the instrument and when I turned 12, I saw Eric Clapton, got a Fender Strat the next week, and immediately started taking lessons. From the beginning of my musical career I had taken lessons from degree holding guitarists. After two years of blues and rock lessons I made the switch to classical lessons.

As I approached the end of high school there was no doubt in my mind that I would study music. I auditioned at Carthage College in Kenosha, and received the top music scholarship to study Classical Guitar Performance and Jazz Studies with David Ness. From there my musical tastes and understanding broadened exponentially.

Only 3 months after graduation I felt the need to get in touch with my electric guitar roots and decided to take a week of Masters classes from Berklee College of Music. I received a scholarship for my audition and was placed in advanced contemporary rock and jazz harmony classes under the tutelage of Jon Finn and John Stowell respectively.

Following my short but incredibly exciting and inspiring time at Berklee, I came out with a new focus and a better idea of my own voice in music. With all the knowledge I had gained and styles I incorporated in my playing I wanted to start a Progressive Rock band. We are currently in the studio recording our first release.

My musical influences that I both play and teach include styles ranging from Rock, Blues, Jazz, Classical, Fusion, Progressive Rock, Metal, Flamenco, Folk, Country, and Pop.

My guitar influences include Jimmy Page, John Petrucci, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Steve Morse, Alex Lifeson, Al Di Meola, Steve Howe, Steve Hackett, Tosin Abasi, Guthrie Govan, MUSE, The Moody Blues, The Beatles, Opeth, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Green, George Benson, John Scofield, Django Reinhardt, Paco De Lucia, Julian Bream, Christopher Parkening, John Williams, Fransisco Tarrega, and Andres Segovia.

I am also influnced by other musicians and composers as well, such as, Dave Brubeck, Miles, Davis, Sonny Rollins, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Freddie Mercury, Frank Zappa, Peter Gabriel, Franz Schubert, Claude DeBussy, and of course Bach, Mozart and Beethoven.

Why Choose Me As Your Instructor?

• In addition playing and teaching the guitar, another interest of mine lies within other related stringed instruments such as the bass guitar, mandolin, banjo, and ukulele.

• I have been studying the guitar for 15 years and teaching for 10 years.

• I have taught students of many ages ranging from 6 all the way into their 80's!

• I teach beginners to advanced players with each lesson tailored specially to each student, and will teach you what you want to learn.

• I will teach you any style you want! Anything from Classical to music of today and anything in between!

• My lesson studio is fully equipped to meet your 21st century needs. I can look up any song within minutes and print it out for you to take home.

• I also use a program to slow down your mp3's so you can practice along with it at your own pace and gradually speed it up until you can play it at full speed. In addition, I can save the slowed down versions and send it straight to your e-mail address.

• I am always learning myself and I constantly look for new ways to improve my playing and my ways of teaching.