March Adult Jam

Well it's time for another Adult Jam! We're going to try a series of hopefully fun songs. We're going to start learning some One Hit Wonders. Since there are way too many of them and we only have so much time, I thought we'd limit them to just the OHW's that made it to number one on Billboard's Hot 100 list. I mean , you can look at hits from many different sources , you can look at top 100's , or 50's or 40's. But when it comes right down to it, IMHO, it's the artists that made it to BB's number one , then faded into oblivion, that really counts as a OHW.

So, here's my list for the next Jam, song title, artist and year that it made it to BB's #1.


At the Hop      Danny and the Juniors  1958
One Eyed One Horned Flying Purple People Eater     Sheb Wooly    1958
Itsy Bitsy Yellow Polka Dot Bikini    Brian Hyland        1960

Please Mr Postman    The Marvelettes    1961
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do   Niel Sedaka 1962
I'm Telling You Now    Freddy and the Dreamers    1965
Hang On Sloopy     the mccoys    1965
Wild Thing    the Troggs    1966
Sittin on the Dock of the Bay  Otis Redding        1968
In the Year 2525    Zager and Evans    1969

Next Jam we'll tackle the 70's! See you then, Terry

Kids' Jam Winter 2011 Success!

Hi. We had a great time at the Jam , Saturday. There were almost 50 students and 100 guests! It was a great place to have it, The Underground , in Naperville. Kids from 5 to 17 played. Everyone did a great job. I had three people making vid's so hopefully I'll have some good shots. As soon as I get something I'll post it.

After another successful Kids' Jam I think some thank you's are in order for all the help I had.

First I want to thank Wendy Daly for suggesting The Underground at Alleluia Lutheran, it was a nice place to play music. She also did a lot to setup/takedown chairs and to get the show started.

I want to thank Craig Johnson, Katie Khoury and Scott Dahl for taking video during the performance. This way I don't have to run around looking for snippets of video and trying to put it all together.

I want to thank Missy Wichhart and her daughter for keeping track of the smoothie coupons. I anticipated 55 students running around and she did a great job getting liquids into their empty stomachs.

I want to thank the parents of the performers that made sure their students were able to practice. And to the students for diligently practicing in-between homework.

I want to thank the parents who brought their kids just to watch and had to stay an hour longer than I said. 

I want to thank Morgan and Hannah for working so hard to sing songs they didn't know. They did that to make some of the bands more complete. Well done, ladies.

I want to thank my student and associate teacher Joe Pillatsch for running around with a tuner so kids didn't sound too avant-guard. 

I want to thank Alissa McCoy for popping popcorn even though we couldn't have it at The Underground (my misunderstanding).

I want to thank my son, Brendon, for helping put amps in place, running extensions, setting up chairs, helping with the organization and getting some of his students to perform.

I want to thank my daughter, Tegan, for putting up with me when I made her practice and learn a very difficult acoustic guitar part.

Most of all, I want to thank my wonderful, beautiful wife of 36 years who has to put up with all this and my general madness in the week leading up to the jam. She did a great job rounding up adrenaline-crazed, smoothie-high musicians for their performances. 

If I forgot someone, I am sorry. Please let me know.

It was really, really fun... and I think the kids had a good time , also! 

Terry

Kids' Jam Winter 2011

Hi there. Saturday , January 29th, we will have our next Kids' Jam at The Underground in Naperville! I'm real excited. There are over 30 performances on the schedule. The kids have been working real hard to get ready for it. I'll post videos and pictures as soon as I have them.

Adult Jams

We just had another great Adult Jam. I'll be posting pictures soon. In the mean time you can see pictures at www.facebook.com/napervilleguitarlessons?v=photos
You do NOT have to be a FB member to see the photos.

Here's what a couple of my adult students have to say about the Jams:   STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

"I love the jams... now.  As you know, the first jam really took me for a loop because everyone else seemed so much more proficient than me.  I went home extremely humbled and really doubted myself.  I continually thought of giving up the guitar because it just seemed too daunting.  In fact, I put the guitar down for a good week to just take a break.  It was at my next lesson with you, however, that I really re-committed myself.  It was your understanding and encouragement that really helped me move forward.  You were never negative and really took the time to listen to my concerns.  I left that practice with a new focus, which I hope was seen at the next jam when I got up in front of everybody to play "Picture."  There's no way I would have envisioned that after the first jam!  So as you can probably guess, I love the jams now.  They are great barometers of my own progression.  I also really enjoy the time with all your other students.  No one takes themselves too seriously - you especially - and there's always a few good laughs to be had.  The fact that you take the time out of your busy schedule to do this for your students is not only commendable, but a true testament to your commitment to each and every student.  I can't thank you enough."
Derek


"I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the adult jam last weekend.  I really felt like I was not just palying a series of chords, but really playing my guitar for the first time.  I was so nervous initially, as I know only a limited number of chords.  It did NOT matter- I was able to keep up the best I could.  It was extremely worthwhile and I know going to the jams will ultimately make me a better musician.  Plus, it was a lot of fun.  Thank you so much for offering your personal time for your students. You are the best."
Alisa M.

"I am pretty fortunate to take guitar lessons from Terry who has 4 decades of experience. Terry makes guitar playing pretty easy for a newbie like me. He understands exactly where the student's learning difficulty is, and helps to get through it with a step by step aproach. There were several instances when I struggled for weeks on chords and Terry could fix my problems in minutes.
Renting a guitar before buying, really helped in my case. Terry gave some very useful tips which helped me to buy a right guitar the very first time.
Learning Bar chords was a difficult thing but with Terry's help it became simpler."
 P.G.

Adult Jam 10-16-2010

We had a great Adult Jam Saturday, October 16th at Jim and Mary Trussell's house. There were about 15 of us and we had a lot of fun. We normally end at 9 but since everyone was having such a good time we kept going and got done after 10.

Our Adult Jams are intended for the beginner adult to get a chance to play with other adults. Not everyone has a friend that plays guitar. These Jams serve as group practice, social networking and a chance to learn to perform in front of others. 

You don't have to perform, you can just strum along. Or sit back and enjoy the performance.

Each Adult Jam is hosted at different locations, hosted by one of my adult students. We have a lot of fun and learn a few songs along the way. It's a lot like a loose adult guitar club.

If you have questions about our Adult Jams or adult lessons in Naperville/Aurora/Bolingbrook/Plainfield please visit www.napervilleguitarlessons.com or call me at 630-983-6674

Thanks, Terry

Second Annual (kinda sorta) Kids' Jam

This last Saturday, the 21st, we had an incredible Kids' Jam! I invited all my non-adult students and most of them showed up. My son, Brendon , had two students there and my associate, Kevin Conlin, had four students attend. There were over 40 students and a total attendance of about 120 people! 20 of the kids performed for the audience and we all jammed on some songs. The turnout was very humbling. The kids did a great job and the parents were very supportive. If anyone has pictures and/or videos they would like to share please give me a cd, dvd or send them to tlschafer@gmail.com . We will do this again, I'll let you know when, where and how.

I want to thank all the parents that helped make the Jam possible and Grace United Methodist Church for the space. Vendors that contributed free handouts were Music Solutions in Bolingbrook, Lunaguitars.com, Daisy Rock guitars, Ernie Ball strings, D'Addario strings and Dunlop accessories. ( BTW Fender ignored my requests and Gibson didn't send anything ). 

This September 4th (a Saturday), we will be holding our first Annual John C. North Memorial Outdoor Jam. John was a student, associate teacher, a friend and an all-around good guy. It will start at 6PM and go until we run out of songs. This will be at Nancy Bolliger's house in Cress Creak next to the forrest preserve. Please send me an email so I can tell her how many people will be there and I'll send you her address. Please bring a lawn chair and munchies or food or whatever.  We will only have something to drink. Since John was a family man, families are welcome.

If you send me an email I will send you a list of the songs we'll be playing. I'm still working on the chord sheets. You don't have to play, but you can perform or play along or just listen. We're going to play some songs and have a good time. Be there or be L7 (jk).

Thanks, Terry

Kids' Jam 2010

Hi. This August, the 21st to be exact, I will be holding my 2nd Annual (kinda, sorta) Kids' Jam. I'm inviting all my non-adult students, Brendon's students, Joe Pillatsch's students and Kevin Conlin's students. We are going to get together and play some songs, play some jams, have some contests and listen to some solo performances. The last one I had was a lot of fun, this one should be just as fun, and more.

The kids get to play with other kids, durning the jams they get to play anything they want and they get to play it as loud as they would like. This is about as close to a recital I can come. I used to hate recitals, being in them and listening to them. No fun.

And this isn't about showing off. We're just going to play and share music and try to have some (loud) fun for a while.

Right now I have over 20 students registered and, with parents and friends, it totals almost 100 people. Ernie Ball and D'Addario have sent some goodies for the kids. Luna Guitars said they would send some soon. I haven't heard from Jim Dunlop.

I'll post updates as I have them.
Terry