Cool Strummer Guitar lessons from working musicians — Chicago

Now Enrolling Students

Learn the song
you actually
want to play.

Cool Strummer connects adult guitar students with working, gigging musicians for one-on-one lessons built around what you love — not a curriculum someone else invented.

"The best teachers aren't the ones who finished music school. They're the ones who never stopped playing." — Absorption Studio

A two-sided marketplace

For students: learn at your own pace, starting from a song you love. For musicians: dignified, flexible income between gigs. Everyone wins.

How it works

01

Pick your entry point

Start with a song you've always wanted to learn, or explore our guided Survey of Musical Cartography — a creative way into the instrument for curious beginners.

02

Get matched

We connect you with a working musician whose style and approach fits your goals. Not a generic teacher — a player who actually does this for a living.

03

Learn on your terms

Lessons happen online via live video. Flexible scheduling, no long-term commitments. Purchase lesson credits and use them when the time is right for you.

For students

Learn Your Favorite Song

Tell us the song. We'll find you the teacher. Our LYFS (Learn Your Favorite Song) program is the fastest path from "I wish I could play that" to actually playing it.

Adult beginners and returning players welcome. No prior experience required — just curiosity and a song that moves you.

Individual lesson credits · Session bundles available
Pricing published at enrollment · No hidden fees

For musicians

Teach between gigs

Cool Strummer is built for working musicians — people who tour, record, and play out regularly. We provide the platform, the students, and the scheduling infrastructure so you can focus on teaching.

Set your own availability. Keep the majority of what you earn. Join a roster of players who take their craft seriously.

Revenue-sharing model · Flexible scheduling
Apply to join the teaching roster ↗

Cancellations

Lessons may be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice at no charge. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice forfeit the session credit. We handle disputes case-by-case and strive to be fair to both students and teachers.

Refunds

Unused lesson credits are refundable within 30 days of purchase. After 30 days, credits remain valid for 12 months. If a teacher cancels a confirmed session, the credit is automatically returned to your account. Contact us at any time for billing questions.

Contact & support

Questions about lessons, billing, or the platform? We're reachable by email and aim to respond within one business day. We're a small, founder-run operation — you'll hear from a real person.

[email protected]