Larry Skoller

From Chicago, I have over 25 years of international touring experience, most often accompanying many of the top artists on the Chicago blues scene. For more than two decades I’ve taught blues guitar, both individually and in group settings — in the USA, Europe, and Africa. I have also organized and led Blues seminars and masterclasses for a wide variety of cultural institutions and organizations, including the City of Chicago, the City of New Orleans, the U.S. State Department, among others. I am a three-time Grammy-nominated producer in both the traditional and contemporary blues categories. My true passion and expertise is in the Chicago blues tradition — the root and foundation of modern blues, rock, and pop guitar. Back in the day, I was awarded a full university scholarship to study jazz performance, where I quickly discovered that what I loved most about jazz… was the blues within it.  

Many guitarists know the Pentatonic scale, a handful of chords, even a few riffs — yet still struggle to capture the true resonance of the blues. That’s because the blues is not expressed by notes and chords alone. It is conveyed through feel, phrasing, space, and groove — the conversation between sound and silence — and often by the notes left unplayed. My teaching approach is rooted in the aural tradition of the blues: learning by ear. We do cover the theory that is helpful to understand musically what we are doing; at the same time the Blues sounds like it does in large part because it is an aural tradition. You will develop technical skills, chords, scales, and riffs, always in service of your authentic expression. Step by step, we will break it down and unlock the essence of the Chicago blues — the sound and style that is the root and foundation of modern blues and rock guitar. As part of your lesson program, you will receive exclusive free access to my play-along album, Sittin’ In with the Greats — the first and only authentic Chicago blues play-along. The album features rhythm tracks of the classic Chicago Blues grooves recorded in-studio with veteran Chicago musicians who have accompanied countless Chicago Blues legends. The play-along gives you your very own authentic Chicago Blues rhythm section to practice and jam with anytime you pick up your guitar, giving you the most authentic way to build your sound and confidence. In addition, I will provide curated playlists of essential listening to deepen your understanding and connection to the music and the art of ensemble playing.