There are a lot of great guitar players in town, and Stan taught most of them everything they know. Phenomenal doesn't begin to describe his playing. Complete mastery of the six-string is more accurate. Michael Henningsen Albuquerque Alibi (2000)	Blues guitar lessons books (guitarlessons on line) The blues guitar book-I am setting up a site that will enable me to teach on the internet! There you will be able to download all kinds of music lessons. Most concentrate on the blues, but there's a lot there for guitar players of any style. Just a lot for musicians in general, on any instrument (or not). And not only guitar lessons, but lessons on topic's like --The 12-bar form--"Theory light"--musicianship in general---etc... Many of these lessons are from the lessons plans I've developed over the last 30+ years. They will of course contain info. on just about every style. A lot of the lessons are taken from my workshop manuals. Then of course ones from my books-THE BLUES GUITAR BOOK-Vol. 1-Vol. 2 and Vol.3. Some are for finger/thumb styles ("Thumpin' Thumb and Fiery Fingers"), some for pick in hand("Flyin' Flatpick"). I love it all-acoustic and electric. And for all those players, and aspiring players who can't get my books or make any workshops, I am putting lessons up on line for free. The text in PDF files and any audio in mp3 files. I have just a few lessons and essays up so far, but plan on eventually putting all the lessons up. (Check it out!) stanhirsch.com/blog. My Lessons "Blues Guitar Workshop Manual" is now completed and being used at the workshops I am giving. If you can't make one of then or can't afford one, you can still get this manual from me. In it I cover all you need to gain independent Thumb/Finger(s). (You know--play the bass/chord driving rhythms and then play "lead" over that at the same time.) Most of it can be an easy "self-teaching" method for those players who already know a little about playin' the guitar. To order the manual,GO TO SNAIL MAIL SECTION OF CD PAGE. (or e-mail me)-COST is $20 (includes shipping) Note: I am finished with a "Blues" guitar method. The Blues Guitar Book--Subtitled-- "Thumpin' Thumb and Fiery Fingers"-(or flyin' flatpick). The concentration is on independent thumb / finger(s) a nessesary ingredient for most solo acoustic guitar styles.But,most of the material is aplicable to flatpicking and elec. guitar as well. Basically the stuff that most blues styles are made of,-- No BS, just the basic foundation to understand and play and jam in that stew. I have been putting some of these lessons in PDF and mp3 files. You can check them out on my blog. Guitar lessons in Albuquerque When I'm in Albuquerque I have a teaching studio there. Not just blues guitar lessons. Actually I teach almost all styles of guitar. Electric as well as acoustic. Blues, Rock, Jazz, Country, Pop, Slide,whatever. (I love it all). Also --Theory--composition, etc... e-mail me stan@stanhirsch.com Some of the questions I could answer: How do you replace your Drummer and Bass player with your thumb? If you are playing solo acoustic guitar, could you get everybody up and dancing? Instant lead guitar patterns explained in 10 min.. Is that poss.? If you are playing solo acoustic guitar, could you get everybody up and dancing? What does Hendrix " The Wind cries Mary" have to do with playing country guitar licks? Does it help to drink the whiskey first before using the bottle neck for slide? What does a Chinese pentatonic folk scale have to do with blues and rock, or country? How is it possible that with just a bit of easy theory and these 6 chords ( A, C, D, E, F, G,), I could write my own chord book? Workshops Along with my regular acoustic and elec. guitar lessons in Albuquerque I have been really enjoying teaching blues guitar workshops. The class situation is a different dynamic which is very cool. Guiness Blues Fest-(Warrenpoint N. Ireland)---- Telluride Blues Fest. Telluride Colorado.---- New Mexico Jazz WorkshopAlbuq. N.M.(MY Home)---- Augusta Heritage Arts Blues Workshop, West Virginia Thanks to all my students who attended the workshops. Feel free to e-mail me any questions. Love you all! Thanks, Stan A few E-mails from students. I've taken lessons from a number of people and none have approached your ability to break concepts into their fundamental units and make them easy to grasp. "Daniel E. Pearcy" dpearcy@supersmilz.com ------- Your playing and knowledge are an inspiration. And you are pretty damn funny too. "jim neil" jencanty@msn.com ------- Stan, Honestly I thought your class was over the top! I usually gravitate to my electric, but after your class I had to go out and get a better acoustic! "Sabert Lewis" sabertlewis@hotmail.com ---------- Stan, I really enjoyed the workshop.I think all the different blues styles and songs that you used as examples was very informative. Looking forward to next workshop! Larry Compton--lcompton59@aol.com ---- Stan, I enjoyed your class a lot. The one thing that opened up new territory for me was using the right hand (actually thumb and fingers) for bass notes and chords (and licks) played separately. Guess I always knew that was out there but never had been shown how to make it happen. Thanks! Harry Bertico---bertico@aol.com---------- Stan, I can feel the blues, I can hear rhythm, but I’ve had a hard time getting that to my fingers. (the way you explain is of course the key.) Having the style shown to me one step at a time. Also the atmosphere was very relaxed. Only a teacher’s personality can create that. I’ve taught thousands of people (more than a hundred at a time), and I’ve found that a relaxed atmosphere and some laughter is very conducive to absorbing and then retaining information. You did a good job in creating that atmosphere. Enjoyed your class immensely, & hope to do future workshops with you. Jay Barnes--jaysblues@earthlink.net --------- Stan, I enjoyed your class immensely. In the almost 40 years I’ve been playing, I had absorbed in bits and pieces. Before your class my understanding of the blues was disjointed and complicated. You taught me the essence and structural underpinnings. You’ve pushed me beyond learning and forgetting licks-to actually making music. "TonyWilliams" --tonyw@pozzisouthwest.com------ Stan Thanks again for your great teaching sessions at Augusta this year. I've been going through the recordings and syllabus at slow pace and gradually catching on to those Texas licks. Great stuff that you present in a way I can actually learn it! "Pud"-----crhassell@bellsouth.net Quotes and E-mails from workshop directors who hired me. Stan, Thanks for all your hard work, you were stellar as usual! ..a consumate professional at all times, and a very nice man to boot.If I weren't the director of this camp, Id' be sitting at your feet in your classes and soaking up your knowledge. Mark Galbo-Director-Telluride "Blues Fest." Guitar camp. mark@rockandrollacademy.com- ..Stan receives rave reviews from his students who go away from his classes inspired to play and practice with plenty of info. to work with. Stan presents his teaching materials in a clear and concise manner and demonstrates both his love of the blues and his love of teaching in every class. -Maud Beenhouwer-Education Coordinator-New Mexico Jazz Workshop -- nmjwoffice@flash.net - Augusta Heritage Center Blues Week“Students flock to his classes...because they love what he brings to the program. I have hired many fine teachers, and Stan Hirsch is one of the best...that’s why I keep asking him back.” Rich DelGrosso http://www.mandolinblues.com Some famous students Although Mcfadden learned many of his diverse styles through listening and osmosis, he credits an old teacher, Stan Hirsch, with giving him the self-assurance to tackle new things. "I'd listen to Jimmy Page and say-I can't play that".McFadden remembers."But he would prove me wrong by showing me that I could. He gave me knowledge and confidence" Interview with Eric McFadden (Guitarist with George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars, also, Guitarist with Eric Burton.) Guitar Player Magazine-June 2000
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