Learn the Music. Know the History. Carry the Tradition Forward.
Learn to play acoustic Blues guitar while discovering the Black history, people, stories, and traditions behind the music. Offered through Jack Dappa Blues Radio, this program welcomes children and adults with little or no guitar experience, bringing hands-on music instruction together with an introduction to ethnomusicology and folklore—the connections between music, culture, and community.
Start Where You Are
You don’t need to read music, understand music theory, or know Blues history to begin. Students learn at their own pace, building comfort, confidence, listening skills, and a meaningful relationship with the instrument and the tradition.
Parents and caregivers are welcome to express interest on behalf of their children. Adults interested in learning are welcome to inquire for themselves.
What You’ll Learn
Beginning instruction includes caring for and tuning the guitar, basic hand positioning, chords and chord changes, strumming, keeping a steady beat, introductory Blues rhythms, and simple songs.
Alongside the instrument, students encounter the Black musicians and communities who shaped the Blues. Through listening, stories, and conversation, we explore oral tradition, family, work, migration, regional styles, and the relationships between music, memory, and place.
How Lessons Work
Each weekly 60-minute lesson includes:
- 45 minutes of beginner acoustic guitar instruction
- 15 minutes exploring Black Blues history, culture, and tradition
Instruction develops according to each student’s abilities and readiness. The goal is steady progress, with space to listen, ask questions, practice, and grow.
Our founding cohort will include up to 10 students.
A Path to Keep Growing
Students who continue can progress into 12-Bar Blues in A, strengthening rhythm, chord changes, repertoire, and playing with others. Further study opens the door to Blues People, Music, and Folklore, with deeper exploration of storytelling, cultural memory, songwriting, and creative expression.
As students develop their musicianship and cultural understanding, they may also work toward sharing what they’ve learned through community events and public programming. Performance opportunities depend on readiness and are not guaranteed by enrollment.
Tuition & Getting Started
Tuition is $200 per month for one weekly 60-minute lesson.
Location: [lesson location or online details]
Schedule and start dates: [scheduling information]
Guitar access: Let us know whether you have an acoustic guitar or would appreciate guidance on finding an appropriate instrument.
We are seeking scholarship funding to help reduce tuition costs. Families and adult learners may request to be contacted if assistance becomes available. Assistance is not currently guaranteed.
Interested in Lessons?
Complete our Student Interest Form to tell us a little about the prospective student and your availability. Submitting the form expresses interest; it does not confirm enrollment or commit you to payment. We’ll follow up with details and next steps.
Questions? Contact Lamont Jack Pearley at lamontjackpearley@jackdappabluesradio.tv.
Help Open the Door
We are seeking founding scholarship partners to make this program more accessible. Our $12,000 first-year goal would cover half the tuition for up to 10 beginning students for one year. A contribution of $1,200 would provide one student with 50% tuition support for a full year.