Open Chord School of Music

The Blackbird Academy
2806 Azalea Place, Nashville

Open Chord School of Music offers Excellent Guitar Lessons, along with Ukulele and Beginning Bass. All teachers are well-experienced musicians. daily. So…….

Our instructor, Rob Higginbotham, has been teaching full time for 20 years. He has the patience to teach any age, and the experience to do it well. The Open Chord Music School currently offers lessons in Guitar, Bass Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, and Ukulele. As the School expands we will always offer excellent referrals for instruments and vocals that we do not teach in house - at no charge of course.

Open Chord Music School teachers love music and love to teach. All are well-experienced teachers as well. All Open Chord teachers are patient and thorough. Speaking of patience, , the Open Chord Café/Brewhouse, offers a relaxed and safe waiting room with a full compliment of café fare for parents, siblings and others. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building. Lessons are offered in half hour slots Monday through Saturdays starting at 2 p.m. Tuition is monthly at $80 per month for a dedicated half hour time slot each week. If a student wishes to take one hour lessons once each week a 10% discount will be applied ($144/month) . When starting past the first week of the month, the cost is pro-rated at the rate of $20 per half hour time slot. A 25% discount is offered on the first full month of lessons to make getting started a little bit easier. Students are encouraged to participate in Music Recitals on the Open Chord Stage should they wish to. Don’t wait any longer…….. Scheduling your lessons is easy – just call 865.281.5874 or send an email to [email protected] with your contact information and we will give you a shout back. The Music School is just one of the multi-faceted pieces of the OPEN CHORD MUSIC EXPERIENCE in Knoxville which includes the Open Chord Music School, the Open Chord Music Store (opening11/28/2014) , the Open Chord Café, and the Open Chord Brewhouse and Stage Concert Hall all housed in the Open Chord Building at 8502 Kingston Pike. We Love Music!! Open Chords on the guitar are full, rich, and beautiful sounding chords. Hence, the name. For the Love of Music! That’s the Bottom Line for Doing All We Do. OUR TEACHERS INCLUDE:

Chris Cook

Chris Cook currently has 28 years playing experience and 10 experience teaching in Knoxville. Over the years, Chris has played in many popular Knoxville based bands. Most recently as a member of the Pop Rox and Zank which specializes in ‘60’s Surf Music. Father of two, Chris enjoys working with children and has the patience needed to work with all ages. Chris can teach most styles and is strongest in Rock, Funk, Blues, and of course, Surf Music. Chris can teach either bass or guitar. Chris can be reached through the store at 865.281.5874 or [email protected]

Robert Higginbotham

Robert Higginbotham has been teaching guitar in Knoxville for ten years. Robert spent his early years as a working musician in the 1970s. After that he spent decades in the private sector as a business owner and information systems engineer where he also spent a good deal of time teaching. A local musician who has been part of the Knoxville music scene for over 15 years, Robert took “early retirement” from his “real job” in 2004 to devote himself to music full time. Robert has run the Wednesday Night Blues Jam at Brackins for most of the last ten years. He runs the Thursday Night Jam at the Open Chord Brewhouse and Stage. He also plays all over East Tennessee with the GRITS from Dumplin Valley band on weekends. The father of three grown children, Robert is very patient. He has taught students from the age of seven to seventy. His specialties are blues, rock, and acoustic folk style. He teaches all styles except classical music. He also teaches beginning bass. Robert can be reached through the store at 865.281.5874 or [email protected]. Josh Hobbs

Josh Hobbs is currently in his tenth year of music education in Knoxville. Josh began his performance career in 1998, which has led him to many great gigs, such as Bonnaroo 2010. After recieving his Bachelor of Music in Jazz from UTK, Josh has been a staple of the music community, from leading the Brackin’s Blues Jam, to “Sundown in the City” performances. A true student of music, Josh has an intuitive understanding of the educational process and teaches all levels and styles of guitar. He also offers electric bass, mandolin, banjo, and ukulele lessons. Josh can be reached through the store at 865.281.5874, directly at 423-4368-8109, or [email protected]

06/29/2025

In the past twenty years+ of teaching in Knoxville I have been asked about renting a guitar for lessons multiple times. I have not been able to help. Until now....... FlintMeryl guitars are excellent quality for the price, and rent at a reasonable rate. All rental monies can be applied to rent-to-own. Check it out, Spread the word. Thank you.

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05/01/2025

To celebrate 20 years of teaching full time, and of one year being back at Open Chord! Promo for new students in effect for the next three months! All ages welcome!

10/28/2024

Shameless plug time. New students are always welcome, and always served to the best of my experience and ability.

08/16/2024

In 2025 I will celebrate the milestone of teaching guitar full time for 20 years! By far the longest I have ever held a job. If you, or anyone you know of, are looking for Guitar, Ukulele, or beginning Bass lessons I have several openings. I am available in person at Open Chord School of Music on Kingston Pike, along with LeGrand Music Studios in Fountain City. In addition, I am available on line 5 days a week. I have been blessed with the opportunity to share the joy of music with so many folks over the years. I look forward to doing it for a few more. It has been a great ride so far! Give a shout if you are interested in lessons, or a share if you think others would be interested. Thank you all! More info available at www.robhigg.net

06/22/2024

You or friends interested in Guitar, Ukulele or Beginning Bass lessons? Summer has brought many openings...... Lessons available on line 5 days a week, Open Chord School of Music in West Knoxville Mondays through Wednesdays. LeGrand Music Studios in Fountain City on Fridays. All ages welcome. If you wish to learn with a friend, I can accommodate as well...... make it summer fun! Questions welcome, just DM me. Please share with anyone who may be interested. Thank you all!

Photos from Open Chord School of Music's post

10/02/2018

Open Chord is thrilled to announce that Cody Bauer, a very experienced fiddle player and licensed public school teacher is now teaching at Open Chord. Cody has played with a variety of bands over the years (bluegrass, old-time, country, and folk). Most notable among them, Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mt. Boys (on a fill-in basis). In addition to playing at the Grand Ole Opry, Bauer garnered first place in the 2016 SPBGMA International Bluegrass Band Competition with the Bluegrass Outlaws and several top ribbon wins at various fiddlers conventions. Cody takes a holistic approach to teaching fiddle and integrates the following: ear training, developing technique, music theory, notation/sight reading, improvisation, and building a repertoire. Bauer teaches beginner through advanced fiddle/violin lessons, and lessons can be tailored to what the student is interested in learning. Cody can be reached through the school at 865.281.5874.

08/15/2018

Very excited to announce that Leigh Ann Cox will be joining our teaching staff in September. Leigh Ann is a multi-instrumentalist with tons of experience both teaching and playing. Always good things happening at the Chord !

07/25/2018

Open Chord School of Music is pleased to announce the addition of Evie Andrus to our teaching staff. Evie has been making music since she was 6. In college she obtained a minor in Bluegrass, Old Time and Country Music from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. Andrus has performed in a variety of bands from folk to rock. She offers beginning to advanced violin/fiddle, beginning to intermediate mandolin, beginning vocal, acoustic bass, guitar. Evie can be reached through the school at 865.281.5874.

05/19/2018

The Open Chord School of Music is looking forward to presenting our Spring Recital coming up this Tuesday, May 22nd. Doors open at 6, music starts at 7. This event is open to the public. Come support the young folks who have worked hard to get ready for this semi annual event

11/05/2017

Holiday Season is coming soon. Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Banjo, Mandolin and Drum lessons make for great holiday gifts. Make a joyful noise even more joyful with lessons at Open Chord School of Music. Lessons available Monday through Saturdays. Call or stop by for more information...... 865.281.5874, 8502 Kingston Pike Gift Certificates available. Students enjoy a 10% discount in the retail store as well. Fall recital coming up December 19th... open to the public.

10/08/2017

Open Chord School of Music is happy to announce we are now offering violin lessons taught by Evie Andrus. Give the store a call at 281-5874 for details and/or to schedule lessons.

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Location

Knoxville

Contact the school

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Telephone

+18652815874

Website

http://openchordmusic.com/

Address

8502 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN
37919