Colin's Guitar Lessons

"Let me just state here that I am committed to giving the best instruction that I am able to provide to each and every student I have on an individual basis in regard to their personal goals and musical tastes. I am a professional, studied and serious teacher and musician. I have earned two degrees in music: from Minnesota State University Moorhead (Music Industry Major) and from The McNally-Smith College of Music, formally Music Tech of Minneapolis (Advanced Professional Musicians Course). I have been playing guitar for close to 40 years, I have been playing professionally in bands for the last 33 of those years and I have played close to 2,500 professional live gigs. I have also been teaching guitar professionally for 30 years now and I still love what I'm doing! In this time I have had the pleasure of teaching over 3,000 students of all ages, from the Fargo-Moorhead area as well as in the Minneapolis-St. Paul and Seattle areas. So please feel free to call or email me anytime. I would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have or even go ahead and schedule a lesson time!"

Bio:

Colin C. Blaine is one of those naturally gifted extremely dedicated guitarists who possesses awesome chops, a deep understanding of music theory, and can really bend your ear. Colin has been playing the guitar for close to 40 years and playing professionally in various bands for 33 years now. He started out teaching himself how to play songs by Led Zeppelin, Rush, Black Sabbath, The Beatles, Van Halen and many many others. He also got deep into other styles such as blues, fusion, classical and full-on shredding while taking private lessons as well. Around high school age and particularly in college Colin would practice sometimes up to 13 hours a day and he was still playing in rock bands and going to class. He became so involved in his music he changed to a Music Industry major and has since earned two degrees: from both Minnesota State University Moorhead (Music Industry) and The McNally Smith College of Music, formally Music Tech of Minneapolis (Advanced Professional Musicians Course). Colin has also been professionally teaching guitar lessons for 30 years and has had over 3,000 students in that time, and still goes five days a week to an average of 40 students a week. Among his playing influences he sites Jimi Hendrix, Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, (among many others, see below), 70's, 80's & 90's rock, heavy metal and intense, guitar driven instrumental fusion. Colin loves playing live, composing and recording and has been doing so for over three decades in bands from Fargo to Minneapolis to Seattle. Colin is still gigging consistently, always writing new music, learning and working on his technique. He describes his playing style as "Aggressive Rock; hoodling blues-tinged funky thrash subtle shredding!

Stores I've taught guitar lessons at and through (in order):

United Teachers of Music (Fargo, ND), Marguerite's Music (Moorhead, MN), The McNally Smith College of Music (Formally Music Tech, Minneapolis, MN), Knut-Koupee Music (both St. Paul, MN and Minneapolis, MN locations), American Music (Seattle, WA), Music Go Round (Fargo, ND), Eckroth Music (Fargo, ND), Tone Syndicate (West Fargo, ND)

Bands I've Played In (in order from current to first):

Bands I've Played In (in order from current to first): The Fat Cats (currently & again for over 4 years now!), Rucus (currently & again, just starting it back up!) Wicked Drive, Miss Chevious, Wicked Antix, C & C Acoustic Factory, The Blackstone Project, Rucus, Tonic 5, Blackstöne Cherri, Sunday Jam Band - M&J Saloon, West Fargo (2 Years), The Slam, Wednesday Jam Band - Rick's Bar, Fargo (Over 8 Years), Yo Adrian, Groove Elixir, Vodoo Highway, Apadookus, The Fat Cats, Ramblin' Rose, Dream Scream, Pink Fuzzy Bunnies, Proclamation (praise and worship group from First Presbyterian Church in Fargo), Toyz, Big Trouble, Töny Loves Thrash, Thumper, Solicitor, The Syndicate, Akdöv and Stained Class.

Favorite Guitar Players:

Steve Vai, Jimmie Page, Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Eddie Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, John Petrucci, Frank Zappa, Joe Satriani, Alex Lifeson, Zakk Wylde, Dimebag Darrell, Warren De Martini, Stevie Ray Vaughan, George Lynch, Randy Rhodes, Jake E. Lee, Slash, Greg Howe, Richie Kotzen, Jason Becker, Marty Friedman, Dave Mustaine, Richie Blackmore, Steve Morse, Alex Skolnick,Tony MacAlpine, Tony Iommi, Frank Gambale, Ted Nugent, Jennifer Batten, Steve Howe, Prince, Trevor Rabin, Neil Schon, Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Beck, Eric Johnson, Scott Henderson, Al Di Miola, Mick Taylor, Michael Hedges, Vivian Campbell, Gary Moore, Nuno Bettencourt, Vito Bratta, Reb Beach, Michael Lee Firkins, Peter Frampton, Brian May, Vinnie Moore, John Sykes, Kieth Richards, Pete Townshend, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammet, David Gilmore, Brad Gillis, Jeff Watson, Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Brad Whitford, Joe Perry, Michael Schenker, Matthias Jabs, Akira Takasaki, Chet Atkins, Junior Brown, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Ed King, Steve Gaines, Frank Marino, Albert Lee, Buck Dharma, Warren Haynes, Dickey Betts, Shawn Lane, Bernd Steidl, Vernon Reid, Derek Taylor, Rusty Cooley, Michael Angelo, Joe Stump, Todd Duane, Blues Saraceno, Jerry Cantrell, Eric Clapton, Angus Young, Greg Herzenach, and lotsa others I'm just not thinking of right now.

Favorite Bands:

Rush, Dream Theater, Van Halen, Pantera, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, old school Metallica, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Damageplan, Alice In Chains, Night Ranger, Aerosmith, Coheed & Cambria, Judas Priest, Ratt, Guns N' Roses, Yes, Deep Purple, Rage Against the Machine, Pink Floyd, Tool, Devo, Mötley Crüe, Soulfly, Living Colour, P.I.L., Linkin Park, Testament, Scatterbrain, A Perfect Circle, Queensrÿche, Stryper, Cake, Dokken, Cacophony, Fates Warning, King's X, Dio, Spock's Beard, Anthrax, Dag, Whitesnake, Korn, Loudness, Shadows Fall, and many others.