I'm so excited to be a part of the Music & Art Homeschool Summit! It's coming April 19-21, 2023.
You can learn more and get on the waitlist here.
Are you looking for online guitar lessons? I’m so excited to share about this brand new Acoustic Hymns Guitar Method course today! The teacher is accomplished musician Blayne Chastain, and below is an interview I did with him.
Acoustic Hymns Guitar Method by Blayne Chastain Interview
Blayne, tell us about yourself and your interest in music.
I really wanted to learn guitar when I was about 6 years old. My parents had asked a friend (who happened to be a piano teacher) what instrument I should start on and she said… Piano! While my experience with piano lessons was not all bad, the method in which it was taught failed to challenge me or rather, give me the tools to create my own music.
At 13, I cried my way out of lessons and took up guitar a year or two afterward. My guitar instructor’s method of teaching included learning chords and PRACTICAL music theory that I could apply to either playing songs that I loved or writing my own! I was hooked!
Fast forward a bit and I now have a bachelor degree in music from Berklee College of Music and a Masters from the University of Limerick in Irish Traditional Music Performance. I play the guitar, piano, Irish flute, Irish whistle, Bodhrán (Irish drum) and sing. My musical focus is both as a worship leader at our church as well as playing Irish traditional music.
I’m now loving playing the piano more than ever, approaching the instrument more from a compositional / improvisational angle. Occasionally I’ll work on arranging chord/melody arrangements of my favorite hymns, but often times I just sit and PLAY!
Why did you create this online guitar lessons course?
Really as a response to folks over the years asking me to do it. I had developed courses online for the Irish flute, whistle and drum, but never the guitar. I also wanted to create a course that took the student from “zero to hero” in the straightest path possible to being able to artistically accompany songs on the acoustic guitar.
I also wanted to create a course that took the student from “zero to hero” in the straightest path possible to being able to artistically accompany songs on the acoustic guitar.
I’ve also heard it said many times over that while there are many that play the guitar, very few play it well. This is really probably true about any instrument or skill. Sometimes the difference between “just ok” and excellent is some guidance & encouragement! That’s what I aim to be as an instructor, an encouraging guide!
What is unique about the Acoustic Hymns Guitar Method course?
As you’ll see and hear in my very first lesson with “Amazing Grace,” I don’t hold back the “good stuff” for when you’ve graduated from learning little exercises. Straight away, I’m teaching through song, techniques that you’ll use for years to come.
Also, at a certain point, I realized that while I can play / construct all kinds of chords, the ones that I use 99% of the time are relatively few and would only fill up a couple pages of a book! Many who seek to learn the guitar often go and get a big book of chords and get lost/intimidated pretty quick!
That said, there’s no “dumbing down” of the music theory that drives my creative choices on the guitar. The student that graduates from all 4 levels of Acoustic Hymns should be able to tackle any song (in any key) that comes their way!
The student that graduates from all 4 levels of Acoustic Hymns should be able to tackle any song (in any key) that comes their way!
How will this course be perfect for homeschoolers?
While I developed Acoustic Hymns not only for homeschoolers, I think what makes it perfect is that by being online and on demand, the course can fit easily within a family’s daily/weekly schedule.
Students also receive my personal support as questions arise through the comments section of each course page.
Another nice benefit of my course is that you’ll have lifetime access to the course so the student can reference it well down the road! I personally love how online courses are able to bring world-class tuition to anyone with an internet connection and a passion for learning!
What age range is the Acoustic Hymns course suitable for?
Ages 8 to adult. I would recommend parental support with younger students (ages 8-10).
Is there a free preview?
Yes! See a free preview of Acoustic Hymns Guitar Method here:
Do you have a discount you can offer for Music in Our Homeschool readers?
As of this writing ( 9/10/2018 ), I’m right in the middle of filming the course and have posted the first two (of four) levels:
1. Beginner and
2. Intermediate.
During this early release of the course, I’m offering $50 off the regular price of $149.99, making the full course only $99.99. Once the course is fully developed (the next 2-3 months), I’ll continue to offer a special Music in Our Homeschool discount, but it won’t be as large, so there’s no time like the present to sign up!
Where can I get more info about Acoustic Hymns Guitar Method?
Find more information about the Acoustic Hymns Guitar Method course here.
What else do you have planned for future projects?
I also write new music to old & forgotten-about hymn texts. I’m planning to record an album of some of my favorites that I’ve written over the past couple of decades! Also, once I fully develop Acoustic Hymns Guitar Method, I’d like to devote more time to writing music for film, which is another passion of mine, being a filmmaker myself.
Where can readers connect with you online?
- blaynechastain.com
- twitter.com/blaynechastain
- facebook.com/blaynechastain
- instagram.com/blaynechastain
Giveaway of Acoustic Hymns Guitar Method online guitar lessons course
Three blessed winners will get lifetime access to the Acoustic Hymns Guitar Method course, a $149.99 value! The contest ends on 9/30/18. The winners will have 24 hours to respond to my email before another winner is chosen.
(Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I received complimentary access to the course and was compensated for my time to prepare and share this interview as well as run the giveaway. This post also contains affiliate links.)
My 14 yr old son just recently decided to play the guitar. Acoustic Hymns Online Guitar Lessons would be great for him! He’s never taken lessons before and had taught himself all he knows.
love to win this for my daughter- she took 2 yrs of guitar, and then left for piano, but now wants to go back, so she can play for church as part of the now forming, never had before, youth group!! YEAH, so this would be the PERFECT course for her!
My daughter Madison has taught herself piano, guitar, and ukulele. I think online classes might me good for her as she’s so independent in her learning.
My daughter has been wanting to learn guitar, and I don’t play. This program sounds perfect for us!!
Heck! I want this for myself! But would probably use it for my oldest daughter who wants to learn 🙂
My 8 & 10 year old boys have recently expressed an interest in learning guitar, but as I cannot play any instruments, this sounds like a fabulous way to meet that interest!
Incidentally, they have also done a few years of Irish Dancing. Does Blayne offer any course on any of the “Irish” instruments as well?
I would love to win this for my son. He is hoping to learn the guitar, and I think this would be a great way for him to do that!
I would like the guitar lessons for my son and husband – no they haven’t had lessons, but they’ve both shown interest to the point of trying to learn on his own (hubby) and trying to have a friend teach him via skype (son) – neither was really successful thus the guitar sits.
We’ve tried another guitar class online, but my son felt it was too “babyish”. I think learning hymns will help get us out of that rut!
We just purchased a 3/4 guitar, so his would be perfect!! I have two kids old enough to learn plus my husband and I would love to as well!
My daughters would love this course!
We love Irish music, what a blessing this would be!
I would love to win this for my two daughters! I know they would both be blessed by this course! What a great opportunity.
My son got a guitar for his birthday, but hasn’t taken any lessons. He is extremely musically gifted, and I’d love for him to learn!
Thanks for a chance to win this great resource!
For my boys, age 8 and 11. They’ve both expressed an interest, but I don’t even know where to start. This would be awesome!
Zero to hero! I like that. I’ve been playing acoustic guitar for a number of years but i struggle with teaching my children. Perhaps this coarse can help us. Thanks!
My son has been teaching himself some guitar and is asking for more formal lessons. This sounds like just the thing he needs.
I would love to win this for my 16yo grand daughter. She very much wants to learn to play the guitar… She took lessons for a very short time, but financial issues were too great and she had to stop. She has my guitar, but my hands won’t cooperate anymore for me to play. Thank you so much for the chance to win this program
My son would love this. He’s trying to teach himself to play the guitar. I don’t play so I can’t help. This looks awesome. Thanks.
I would love this for my daughter! She is trying to teach herself and while making some progress I know video lessons would help a bunch! She’s a very determined 8 year old.
This would be awesome to win!
I would give this course to my homeschooled 10 yr old son. He is learning the ukulele now but I’d love to transition him to guitar.
My daughter and one of my son’s both wanted guitars and they both now have one so this would be for them, at least initially. They’ve never had lessons though I think they may have both checked out YouTube.
This looks like a fun course. I’ve played basic guitar for a while not so very well. Hymns have some awesome complicated chords. I’d live to learn an easy way to play them on guitar. They’re easy for me in the piano.
My 8 year old son would love to learn to play the guitar. He got 4 lessons as a gift for Christmas a couple ago, but that’s all the training he’s had. At that time he wasn’t disciplined enough, but I think he is now.
My 7-year-old has been begging for guitar lessons for over a year. This would be a wonderful gift to give her.
My daughter has taken lesson for about a year now. She is looking for a teacher to help her with hymns and other styles of music from what she has been taught thus far. This course looks like a good fit.
This looks to be very good.
I would use it for our famiky. I want to learn. My four want to learn.
This is for my son…..He loves anything music! He has not had any lessons because we live in an area that lacks that opportunity. His desire is to learn to play a guitar and this would be an awesome way!
This is such an awesome giveaway. Homeschooling mama of 4 here. I would actually love to win this for myself. I have always wanted to learn to play the acoustic guitar but with 4 boys to homeschool there has never been much time or money in the budget for lessons for me. Thank you!
My daughter would love this! She has been trying to strum her grandmas guitar every chance she gets for two years. However I know my son would want to learn later on as well.
I want this for my daughter, 11yo, who has been doing online lessons and just got her first guitar of her own.
My 8 yr old son wants to learn the guitar (he is just adding lessons this year, he also has piano lessons). My husband has always wanted to learn, and I thought a computer program would allow them to learn together. What a fun way for my husband to join in the kids homeschool!
I would love to win this for my daughter and for myself!
My 11 year old son received a guitar last Christmas but hasn’t had enough success that he likes to play by himself. I’d love it if he could play.
I would love for my 13 year old to access this resource. She’s gotten some basic instruction from her self taught older siblings and people at church but she’s never had any real lessons.
This is for my 16-yr old son. He loves playing guitar! He’s had some informal lessons, but I know he would like to learn more.
We thought our daughter was interested in guitar so we bought her a nice acoustic. Instead, she took to the ukulele. She plays it very well but would like to be more confident on the guitar. She has never taken lessons on the guitar.
I like his approach. It looks like it is a good fit for our one guitar player.