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Pat Russo

Founder Pat Russo Music LLC
Senior Guitar and Bass Instructor
28 Years Experience

Pat Russo has been a full time music instructor for over 26 years. Teaching in the greater Wallingford area, he has taught men and women, boys and girls, ages 8 to 80 in private practice as well as students from all over the world in Choate Rosemary Hall's summer program.

His music styles include rock, jazz, blues, country, pop, folk and hard rock/heavy metal. His teaching is centered on:
- Music theory as it relates to guitar and musical compositions.
- Chords and chord inversions - triad formations as well as Jazz chord formations (4 and 5 note   chord formations)
- Lead guitar improvisation - blues, country and rock.
- Song writing and song construction
- Rhythm work - strumming, comping and finger picking.

- Multi-Track recording

In addition to teaching Pat has played professionally in original music groups as well as cover bands in the northeast area and is currently the lead guitar player in If Not For Dreaming... an original music group he founded with his wife and fellow instructor Amity Wahl. They currently have two albums and could be found on iTunes, pandora and spotify as well as their videos on youtube.

He has attended the University of New Haven studying Music and Sound Recording, completed Multitrack Recording classes 1+2 at Trod Nossel Recording Studios, served as an engineer at Trod Nossel Studios and has engineered and produced music in his own studio for his his own original music projects.

Reviews for Instructor Pat Russo

*All reviews are verified and available on our Facebook Page

"Pat is an excellent guitarist who is able to effectively convey his knowledge and technique and do-so in a positive manner. I highly recommend Pat to anyone interested in learning or advancing their playing." 

Jay Fishbein - June 15, 2014

"Great instructor. He's taught me alot in my 1st year of playing guitar." 

Rich Komm - June 15, 2014

"Best guitar teacher ever!!!"  Chris Naumann - June 16th, 2014

"Best guitar teacher in the world!!!!!"  Corrin Knight - June 17th, 2014

"Pat is a great guy and super guitarist; taught me the basics with patience !"  Vince Caramanello - June 14th, 2014

"Pat is a great teacher and has a real love for what he does. I had taken music lessons on and off all through my childhood and took guitar lessons from him as an adult. I learned so much from him, it was a great experience and I'm glad to have him as a friend."

Maria Wrobel Putnam - June 17th, 2014

"Best guitar teacher out there, no one better!" Jason Larock - June 17th, 2014

"Absolutely the best thing I have ever decided to learn (but don't tell my College professors I said that!). I've been taking lessons with Pat for a little under a year now and I even amaze myself at how far I've come in just that short time! From a beginner to expert level guitarists I would absolutely recommend lessons with Pat--- not only have I seen a vast improvement with my guitar skills, but even in my level of confidence and stage presence. No matter your level, take lessons--You'll thank yourself later!!

Kala Dee - September 23rd, 2014

"Took guitar lessons from him for 3 years and loved every minute of it. I had a great time and learned so much" Zach Ficorilli - March 30th, 2015

"Anyone looking to learn guitar , or who has been trying on their own to no success should give Pat a try. You won't be sorry. You get a personalized lesson plan along with the right amount of "push" to keep you learning. He creates a very casual learning environment that makes learning much more easily digestable. All on YOUR schedule. Many times I've had to make or break my appointments and I've always been accommodated. I'm middle age (45ish) and we relate well. I thought cause of being the same age , but many times I've come in early and seen all different aged students learning and having a blast while doing so" Vic Soboleski - March 31st, 2015

"Pat is a great guitar teacher. When i first whent to him for lessons i barley knew how to play any thing and by the time i stopped taking lesson i was actually good at playing. He can teach you any song you like and is a great guy to deal with." Brenden Lohmann - March 31st, 2015

"I have been taking lessons with Pat for over 5 years now and I have learned so much from him. I came in knowing nothing and now know countless songs, techniques, and rules for paying. He's a great teacher as well as a great friend and the coolest guy I know! Even though I'll be away at college next year I'm still going to come back to visit as much as possible so that I can keep learning from him." Becky Schaffer - March 31st, 2015

"Pat Russo is the man!!! Ive been going to him for two years now and my playing has become more than I ever could have dreamed of. Pat's knowledge and experience and overall, personality, makes him an amazing instructor! He has made me a much better bass player and musician. Pat's the man!!!"

Nico Vaccaro - April 3rd, 2015

"Pat is awesome!! great teacher and guy... I've picked up more in the few months I've been learning from him than in the years I was "self teaching" myself...thanks for everything Pat!!!" Louis Oosten - April 4th, 2015

"Pat is the reason I stuck with guitar! Best teacher in CT"

Dave Lefkin - December 7th, 2015

"I've been going to Pat for 2 months now. He knows how to keep lessons comfortable and loose which really helps as you're learning new material. Pat gears the material to the students musical tastes, no Mel Bay nursery rhyme lessons here! If you are in the Wallingford area and want to learn guitar, bass or are looking to improve your existing skills Pat Russo is the man."

Ron DePoto - March 30th, 2016

"I take lessons from Pat and it was the best decision I ever made. Awesome guitar player and teacher. Recommend to anyone of any level."

Kevin Smatko - April 1, 2016

"My daughter Lydia has been taking lessons with Pat for a little over a year. No regrets! My daughter took to Pat immediately with his awesome personality and his fun method of teaching. Seeing how Pat interacts with my daughter and other students shows his genuine ability as an instructor. Thanks Pat!"

Mike Verdolini - April 3rd, 2016

"I am writing this letter as a personal reference for Pat Russo. I was first introduced to Pat several years ago when I had just begun to learn guitar. I had very little knowledge of guitars or how to play them and was in search of a teacher to get me started off on the right foot. I initially heard about Pat through a family member who had signed me up for a few lessons.

Going to a lesson for the first time I was timid and had fears of embarrassment knowing I was new to g...uitars and bound to mess something up or not understand what was being taught. That all changed once my lesson began. Instead, Pat made me feel comfortable and right at home due to his great personality and patience. In addition Pat is extremely kind, respectful and very knowledgeable at his craft. After only a few months of lessons, my skill and knowledge improved drastically. Needless to say, only going for "just a few lessons" turned into going back every week for years to come. Each time I went, I learned some new tunes, crazy guitar riffs and valuable skills that made me a better guitar player. Pat's lessons are motivational, fun and personal. He never rushes ahead in his teachings or forces anything, he goes at your own pace until you're comfortable enough to move on. And most of all he makes you feel important! I have gained irreplaceable knowledge from Pat. I enjoyed everything he taught me because he made learning fun.

After years passed, Pat became a good friend of mine. He's helped me though many of life's lessons along with challenging guitar riffs alike. Pat is absolutely somebody you can trust and I would highly recommend him to anybody out there hoping to learn the guitar."

Brad LoRusso - April 5th, 2016

"Thanks for the great patience and insight you've taught us the past few months. To anyone wanting to learn guitar, pat certainly is your guy. Couldn't be doing it with out you pat!!!!!" Jay Johnston - April 5th, 2016

"I took guitar lessons with Pat for 5 years and I can't say enough about how great of a teacher he is. I am now working as a professional musician in Los Angeles, and I wouldn't be here without Pat's expert instruction. I highly recommend him to anyone who wants to take guitar lessons. Plus, he's a awesome dude."

John Reid - April 6th, 2016

"What an amazing teacher. He is so patient and caring. He will show you step by step of the songs that you want to play. He very flexible about class time. He want you to be the best guitar player possible, he will motivate you into pudding your self to become better. Give him a class, very kind person."

Kevin Tenemaza Arce - April 7th, 2016

"Pat is the most accomplished and professional guitar instructor around! And if he can teach me to play, he can teach anybody!!!!!"

Gregg Akoury - April 7th, 2016

"Honestly the best guy to learn with! Always a blast to come to lessons, highlight of the week!!" Carlese Denhart - April 9th, 2016

"Pat's a great guy! Great lessons- good teacher - I have a good time learning with him and jamming with him!!" Robert Boisvert‎ - April 10th, 2016

"I recommend Pat Russo to anyone that is interested in taking

guitar lessons! Can't say enough great things about this guy. He is so knowledgeable and patient and he has such a great personality. He has such a great ear and can just listen to a song and help my daughter learn the chords to play....He is just The BEST!!"

Jaime Golanski-Zmijewski‎ - April 16th, 2016

"If you are looking for guitar lessons, look no further. Pat is an awesome instructor, not to mention patient, positive, professional and an all around good person. Please, if you are looking for guitar lessons I highly recommend Pat....you will not be disappointed! Thank you Pat for sharing your gift with others!"

Dottie Cortwright - April 17th, 2016

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