The Players Series with John Heussenstamm

World renowned guitar educator John Heussenstamm kicks off his group classes July 6, 2015. Heussenstamm will cover a major genre each month in the Players Series, starting with a quick series of guitar "workout" classes to get everyone going. Guitarists with basic skills and the desire to get better will find a ton of actionable advice on great technique and exercises in this phenomenal teacher's new class series. Seating is limited.

July: ROCK GUITAR

July 6, 13, 20, and 27

August: BLUES GUITAR

August 3, 10, 17, 24

About John Heussenstamm

John has been teaching guitar on and off for over 30 years, and has given thousands of individual lessons, both in the U.S. and in Australia. He is author of several popular books on guitar instruction, published by Hal Leonard, including "Guitar Workout," "200 Jazz Licks," "100 Blues Lessons," "200 Country Licks," and "200 Blues Licks."

John Heussenstamm is widely renowned as a blues guitarist and teacher, with a long career spanning multiple continents, a multitude of performances, and a reputation for chops and variety in his playing. Not only has he studied varied styles such as jazz, be-bop, classical, blues and funk in guitar, but he started on piano at four, moved to the trumpet, and then bass guitar, before moving into guitar, during a surf trip to Mexico in 1971. 

By age 23, John was in the Deniece Williams band, who opened for many soul groups such as KC and the Sunshine Band, Earth Wind and Fire, The Commodores, The Brothers Johnson, Lionel Ritchie, Al Green, the Ohio Players, LTD, and more. He attended the Ali Akbar College of Indian Music in San Rafael, CA, where he furthered his study of the instrument. 

By 1980, John moved to Australia, where he toured with his bands for 10 years, performing at many of the country’s biggest clubs, concert halls, and venues.  John's main objective was to play well enough to make good recordings and perform with good musicians, a goal that he feels he accomplished. In 1990, John returned to California with his family.

Over the last sixteen years, John has had the privilege of playing with some superb talent in his personal bands, including Thelma Jones, Jan Ashley, Kofi Baker, Al Blake, Armando Compean, Frank Cotinola, Beth Deshea, Alan Diaz, Baba Elefante, Jimmy Haslip, Vail Johnson, Henry Kapono, Paul Lorange, Matt Marshall, Lester McFarland, Pol Pedersen, Vernon Porter, Lee Rocker, Rick Slauser, Dave Spurr, Drew Steele, Nate Wood, Steve Wood, Leo Vigil, and others.

John has been fortunate to have been able to play great music, perform with talented musicians, teach, and raise a family. Now he would like to use the reach and marketing power of the internet to help fulfill his dream of entertaining and educating a wider audience.