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| Stu Pearse |
I was 16 when I started playing the guitar. Took my first
lessons from two different guitar teachers before hooking up
with Stu Pearse. I was looking for a "GREAT"
guitar teacher, so
asked my High School band instructor for a recommendation. He
sent me directly to Stu.
I had my first lesson with Stu when I was
17 and a senior in High School. After driving 45 minutes to
Stu's home in Chicago, I would walk down the stairs to his basement,
where we did our guitar lessons.
While walking down the staircase
I would begin to hear the smooth sounds of Stu playing his guitar. This
always brought a big smile to my face. Stu was one of the best jazz
guitar players around.
Stu would
welcome me, and every student with a BIG "Hello" and a
smile. He always asked me how I was doing,
what I was doing, and
was truly interested in my life outside our lessons.
I would take a one
hour lesson with Stu once per week, and would arrive
two hours early just so I could sit and listen to the lessons
before mine.
At that point in my guitar playing days, these students were much better
than I, so I knew it could
not hurt to start soaking up all that musical
information. One day, Stu came out of his room laughing at me.
He looked at me and said firmly "Do you know your career is going to be
playing the guitar?!!".
I asked Stu what he meant by that, and he
replied, "it's not normal for a student to show up two hours
early for
guitar lessons". That was the first time I really knew where I was heading
with my career.
He made me realize my passion for the guitar was
true!!
Stu took me on a musical journey. Starting me
off with all the scales
and chords I would need. He then, introduced me to the "Real Book",
which
is the Jazz Players Bible. It was my first introduction to Jazz
Standards. I must admit, I was to young to
fully appreciate the greatness
of these songs. As time went on, Stu kept me on track, and I was
seriously
hooked. Without the positive influence and determination of
Stu keeping me on track, I might have not made it to
where I am
today.
I soon went off to Northern Illinois University, and kept studying with
Stu
on weekends for the following two years. I eventually left Chicago for
California State University Long Beach,
where I studied as a Music Major.
Though I could not see Stu all that often (only when I went back
to
Chicago for a visit) he still kept me moving along. Stu would write
to me, and send me a packet with new material
to practice. WOW,
what a great teacher!! I always looked forward to visiting Stu, and
taking a
lesson or two. This was always a highlight of my trips
back to Chicago.
I was around 27 when I
received a package with more material from Stu.
There was a note as usual to me. It read, "this may be
the last time you
hear from me". I immediately ran to the phone and called Stu. He had been
battling cancer, and was near death. I don't know where Stu
got the strength to write a note, and put together
a package for me.
He was down to 75 pounds. I got to speak with him on the phone for only
a couple
of minutes due to him being so ill. I was able to tell him just how
much he influenced me (to this day).
Stu died a couple of days later.
Stu was the BEST teacher anyone could ask for. He was not only a teacher,
but a friend to me. I think of him all the time, and am sure he is smiling
knowing I have kept on my path.
I have made playing the guitar my
career, just as he told me I would.
A footnote - Stu told me in our last
conversation that he wished he knew how to play
the guitar!! He loved learning till his last day
here on earth.
