Book private guitar lessons in New Orleans

New Orleans: a History of Music

The Big Easy, Louisiana, has had a special relationship with music since the beginning of the 20th Century.

When New Orleans comes to mind, one of the main associations is the birthplace of Jazz, one of the most recognized genres in modern-day music.

The term Dixieland otherwise referred to as traditional jazz, is a term coined in the heart of the city. 

Although this style of music was first introduced around 1917 (thanks to the influential band indubitably named the 'Orginal Dixieland Jazz Band'), it made its most profound impact during the 1940s when the infamous swing movement took the lead role within popular culture. 

Thereafter, the bebop sound, spearheaded by the late Louis Armstrong (one of the most revered figures in Jazz), incorporated additional stringed and chordal instruments inspired by the jazz movement which also gained a strong following in the city of Chicago. 

Conventionally, the unmistakable bebop sound comprised of a saxophone, trumpet, piano, double bass, and drums; it was common for bebop performers to also include either an acoustic or electric guitar within the heavily improvised style of performance. 

The richness of musical history attracts visitors from across the world. In fact, in 2018, the city welcomed over 18.5 million visitors alone, in which the DKSA reported that tourism had contributed to increased spending of over 9.1 billion dollars that year. 

It is said that 'through the melting pot of cultures came musical art'. 

Along with Louis Armstrong are notable other musicians including Pete Fountain, Harry Connick Jr & Trombone Shorty; be sure to head out to the Musical Legends Park for murals and monuments of these famous Jazz artists. 

Amongst these famous brass and woodwind instrumentalists, what about the established guitar players that have made a name for themselves in the great city of New Orleans? 

New Orleans and the Guitar

Considered a sub-genre of Jazz, New Orleans is also accredited for the creation of blues music.

The blues is a popular style of music especially for guitarists, and although it consists of basic chordal progressions, it contains a level of emotion whilst leaving space for instrumental solos and improvisation. 

With the likes of Dr. John, Earl King, and Lonnie Johnson originating from the city, New Orleans boasts an array of established artists that have played lead guitar in successful blues groups that have toured across the world. 

Jazz guitarists will always argue that the style of play compared to Blues is much more complex, and you have to be a more advanced player to do so successfully. 

Although there is a conception that the birth of the New Orleans jazz scene did not contain stringed instruments, this notion is often discredited by musical historians. 

Early Jazz guitarists have been documented playing in jazz groups from as early as 1888, and this is why The Big Easy is said to be home to the earliest known jazz guitarist. 

The New Orleans Guitar Company is also a well-respected maker and distributor of their own range of instruments. So, if you're in the market for a new guitar, there are a plethora of music stores across the city that can assist you including the one aforementioned. 

And, once you've picked up the instrument, it's now time to develop your skills. 

Whether you're a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, there are specialist music tutors out there to support you in enhancing your guitar playing ability. 

Hiring a Guitar Tutor

There are multiple approaches when it comes to improving your skillset when playing a musical instrument. 

From specialist music schools to online courses, musical notation textbooks to guitar tutors; identifying which is the best for you is the first step. 

Although there are a wealth of online and physical materials to help you develop, going at it alone can often present issues when it comes to personal progression, and this is especially prevalent amongst new starters. 

Firstly, you won't have the necessary guidance when studying the guitar alone. With it being a practical-based learning situation, there is, unfortunately, a large scope for personal error. 

Let's take sports as an analogy. Why are football coaches so integral to the success of a team? From school, collegiate to professional football, every team will have a coach that will help each individual work on their performance. 

This is the same when learning an instrument. Although there can be such anomalies i.e. Jimi Hendrix was famous for being self-taught, yet more often than not, you will find that revered guitarists have had a mentor at some point in their lives. 

A decent music tutor will also incorporate various techniques and styles in alignment with their student's preferred musical genre. 

Are you more into jazz or do you prefer alternative rock? An effective tutor will ensure that your learning is reflective of the various styles associated with your interests. 

Lastly, discussing and playing aside someone with more experience enhances confidence levels. Are you practicing in the hope of one day becoming a performer? If so, a tutor can help build personal confidence by creating opportunities to discuss/converse upon the various principles that are being covered within each lesson. 

Learning the Guitar in New Orleans

Whichever district you are in, whether you're based in the Bywater area or Uptown/Carrollton, you are in luck if it is a local guitar tutor you're looking for. 

This style of work attracts musicians from various areas. 

Some may work as touring musicians whilst others may have worked full-time as musical educators across a number of years; a quick check on the Superprof website will expose you to a wealth of guitarists available to take on new students. 

Having looked through each of their profiles, you can gain a strong insight into various criteria including: 

1. Price per hour (average $28p/h)

2. Location

3. Experience 

4. Qualifications

5. Teaching specifications. 

From songwriting instructors, rhythm guitarists & vocal trainers, jazz specialists to music industry graduates; whatever your preferences are, you'll find someone suitable to help you achieve your motivations and goals.