Meet Chris Sherland | Music Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chris Sherland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chris, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I was laid off during the pandemic from a job that had become a bit stagnate. I was ready for something new anyway, and in a way I saw that lay off as a great change agent. But I think no one had real solutions on how to repair or redirect a career path under those circumstances, and so I found myself a bit paralyzed.

I had gone to school for music, but given up on that as a career in favor of a tech job where I could get health insurance and get our kids through school a bit easer. But at this crossroads it all pointed back to my music education, but not in a way that I expected.

My son, who was 16 at the time, came to me and said “what are you doing, now that you’re out of work? What is your plan?” I really didn’t have an answer for him, I just said “I don’t know.” He proceeded to question me in the most beautiful way, and coax out of me what my fears were, what my desires were, and how I might see the next step through that lens.

We ended up feeling like a career in Music Education, using YouTube as a platform to gain an audience was something worth trying. Before I really knew what was happening, he had talked me into buying a camera and just filming one video. Just to see how it would feel, no pressure to even publish it, just try it.

That was the start.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I specialize in what I call “getting guitarists on the bus.” The guitar is taught in a much different way than most other instruments. There’s a social, and sort of tribal exchange of information between guitarists that allows for early success on an instrument that is not easy to play initially. But this method bypasses theory and general musical principles. This leaves guitarists in a cycle of frustration once they outgrow those initial successes. They simply must return to musical principle if they are to really enjoy mastery of the instrument.

I leverage, very consciously, the memories I have of moving beyond that moment, and I can easily see where guitarists are in that cycle and provide real insight and clarity on how to integrate music principles back into their practice. And I do it by carefully managing the cognitive load, meaning I find the smallest piece of information they need to move forward and guide them with that, so they can remain engaged.

For many of my students it ends up feeling like they can finally connect the dots on this instrument they love, and move into deeper learning cycles and see real progress much more quickly.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d always take the uninitiated to the Clyfford Still museum. It’s so beautifully curated and the space is inspiring.

In Denver I feel like any brew house is worth a stop, but I really like Long Table in Park Hill, and the Lowrey Beer Garden near the Wings Over The Rockies Air and Space Museum, which is also worth a couple of hours to take in.

Then of course an overnight or two camping trip to the Rocky Mountain National Park. That’s when folks start saying things like, “maybe I should move here.”

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It’s our son Ike, primarily, that skillfully woke me up and pulled the idea out of my real desire to get back to teaching and music. He then helped me push through my fears about my value as a teacher, and my feelings around deserving to create success for myself and our family.

It was him seeing me stuck and inert that spurred him into action. He just naturally leaned in and helped me light a fire that turned into this successful business.

Website: curiousguitarist.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissherlandguitar/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/csherland/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisSherlandGuitar

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@curiousguitarist

Other: patreon.com/chrissherland