Pete Kruse

"Christmas Eve in Sarajevo" Trans-Siberian Orchestra Cover

2012-01-04T12:46:00.000-08:00

Rocksmith - a Teacher's Perspective

2012-01-04T12:40:00.001-08:00

First "video killed the radio star." Then ATM machines helped lay off bank tellers. Then electronic cashiers forced human cashiers to find new jobs. Then email helped close post offices. Then Rocksmith came along...

As a professional guitar teacher, the new game Rocksmith is naturally intimidating. It was created by the best designers and teachers in the world to be an interactive, streamlined experience that is hard to compete with. But fighting technology is a losing and ill advised battle. Rather, here are a few tips for guitar teachers like myself to help keep our jobs - and our cool - when competing with computers...

1) Don't panic. When you call a customer service number, would you rather speak to a machine or a human? Most people, including me, would much rather speak with a person. Similarly, many students will prefer learning from a person. While this may be the case for most students, it is especially true for non-gamers, beginners and the non technical. For example, exercise videos have been around for a long time, but they lack the accountability and experience of a personal trainer, nutritionist or even a jogging partner. Another example would be electronic checkouts at grocery stores. Some people love them for their convenience, but others prefer cashiers because they help scan and bag groceries more quickly and conveniently. Also, other cashiers are hired to oversee electronic checkouts and help customers when questions arise.

2) Teach using Rocksmith. Just as questions and occasional problems arise when using electronic checkouts at grocery stores, so will questions arise for students learning songs from Rocksmith. Buying Rocksmith may be a great idea for guitar teachers because it will help them teach the songs in the game. Helping a student learn how to play guitar is the ultimate goal, and if using Rocksmith helps, so be it!

3) Personalize your Lessons. One criticism of tools such as Rocksmith is that they offer a "cookie cutter" approach that might not work for everybody. For many people, Rocksmith will help them learn a limited number of songs. For other people, the impersonal "one size fits all" approach may not work as well. Also, things such as improvisation, theory, tone, dynamics, scales, stage presence, posture, "jamming", songwriting and singing while playing are just a few things that Rocksmith may not be able to teach efficiently. In addition to possibly using tools like Rocksmith in your lessons, learn how to "teach around" those games as well.

4) Always be improving your own teaching abilities. We can only teach what we have already learned, so we as teachers should never stop learning valuable skills and lessons to pass on to students. This may mean spending extra preparation or practice time in order refine your guitar teaching abilities. Improving on our own abilities will help ensure that we have a lot to offer current and future guitar students, no matter what games or teaching devices might be available.

Native Stepson Sonny Landreth Cover

2011-10-01T23:09:00.000-07:00

"Somebody's Baby" Jon Foreman cover by A Gain of Ten

2011-09-07T11:32:00.003-07:00

Featuring Gary Witthoeft on vocals, Pete Kruse on hammered dulcimer and Zeph Whitt on guitar.

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Pete Kruse - Hammered Dulcimer Solo

2011-09-07T11:32:00.001-07:00

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Softball Homerun

2011-07-24T17:06:00.001-07:00

This has nothing to do with my music but I wanted to post it anyways. Was my first out of park homerun yet

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Grammy Award winner Phil Keaggy performs guitar solo in Rufus Tree song written by Pete Kruse

2011-07-20T17:54:00.000-07:00

New original instrumental by Pete Kruse

2011-07-18T18:10:00.001-07:00

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Copper Harbor - Music by Pete Kruse

2011-04-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

Pete Kruse Bio

2011-04-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

When I was thirteen, my oldest brother David came home one night with an ugly hot pink electric guitar that somebody was trying to get rid of. Fortunately for me, the guitar was so ugly that he also wanted to get rid of it. After practicing on this guitar for several months my brother Caleb encouraged me to audition for bass guitar in high school jazz band. I was excited to make the band, and this began a long tradition of Caleb and I performing music together. After four years of being in jazz band, I earned a Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for “musical excellence”. This helped encourage me to continue to pursue music, so after high school I studied music at Judson University in my home town of Elgin, receiving a bachelor’s degree in 2007. During this time I completed my internship under award-winning composer and respected producer Michael Aukofer.

Throughout college I was in a band with my brother Caleb called "Rufus Tree". During my time in Rufus Tree we had the pleasure of performing for U.S. troops in Japan on two occasions, opening for many artists including Grammy-nominated Blind Melon and having Grammy award winning Phil Keaggy perform on two songs from our 2nd album. Dove Award winner Mitch McVicker also lent his talent on two tracks from that abum. In 2009 "Rufus Tree" went on hiatus, and two of us from the band joined a new band called "A Gain of Ten".

In January of 2011, A Gain of Ten had the privilege of headlining a show at the legendary Metro venue in Chicago. Around that time, we were asked to record a song for a CD honoring the late Deep-Purple guitarist, Tommy Bolin. This CD was later reviewed positively by many publications including Yahoo Music, CCM Magazine and Classic Rock Review. "A Gain of Ten" is the fifth band to sign with United Republic Records, home of Grammy-nominated CCM artist Jeff Anderson.

In addition to performing in bands I have also released three solo albums, featuring original guitar and hammered dulcimer instrumentals. I am currently working on my fourth album. I have also been teaching guitar now for 2 years, and enjoy passing on to students the valuable lessons that have been passed on to me, while realizing that I still have much to learn.

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,
Pete Kruse

July Sun - Original Instrumental and Photography

2011-04-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

Messiah - Mandolin Quartet 2010

2011-01-02T20:57:00.000-08:00

Jammin' with Judah

2010-11-18T20:31:00.000-08:00

I got a chance to record a few songs on video with my good friend Judah Legge recently. Judah made it to the 4th round of America's Got Talent. To see all the songs we recorded, check out his Youtube page HERE! Please rate or "like" the songs if you feel so inclined. ;)

"Beautiful One" used by Judson University!

2010-03-11T17:03:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to report that Judson University used my song "Beautiful One" on its website recently as background music for a video called "Meals for Haiti". Thanks to my friend Kevin Sherman for putting this video together!

Meals for Haiti from Kevin Sherman on Vimeo.

"This Mystery" and "Summer Rain"

2010-03-10T18:27:00.000-08:00

This video was taken at a telethon for a nonprofit organization a couple years ago. Many thanks to my friend Gus at Brain Alien Productions for putting this together! Hope you like it. Pete

New CD Online!

2009-11-14T20:06:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to announce that my new CD is now available for online purchase! Simply click on the link "A Time and a Place" in the Store section on the right side of this page. The digital MP3's are not up yet though I will link to them when ready. Also, I greatly appreciate all reviews over at CDbaby.

Thanks!
Pete

CD Release Party Review

2009-08-08T12:30:00.001-07:00

Thanks to all who came to my cd release party at the Martini Room last Thursday! Overall about 40-50 people showed up for a great night of music, laughter and even a few brews. But most importantly, we were able to help my friend RJ Hicks as he prepares to leave on a Mission's trip to the beautiful country of Columbia. If you missed the show, fear not, as CD's should be showing up online in a matter of weeks.

Peace!
Pete

CD Release Party!

2009-08-03T07:23:00.000-07:00

This Thursday (August 6, 2009) come out to my CD release party at 7:30 pm! It's a free event and will also include guest musician Jake Pena. This event will take place at The Martini Room, which is located at 161 East Chicago Street, Elgin IL. 60120. Part of all CD sales will be going to promote my friend RJ Hicks as he goes on a ministry trip to the country of Columbia. Hope to see you there!

New CD out shortly!

2009-06-25T12:44:00.001-07:00

Hey! Just wanted to let you all know that my latest project, "A Time and a Place", is nearing completion and should be released within the next month or two. I believe it will be my best recording project to date, as it includes ten different guest appearances by friends as well as instruments such as flute, banjo and hammered dulcimer. Stay tuned! Thanks!

Sincerely,
Pete

New CD Online!

2008-09-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

Hey all, I'm excited to say that you can now pick up a copy of "My Way Home" by clicking on the link on the right side of this page. MP3's are available as well on sites like Amazon and Itunes. Thanks much!

Sincerely,
Pete

"My Way Home"

2008-08-21T13:45:00.000-07:00

Hey all just wanted to let you know that my new CD, "My Way Home", is finished but is not available online quite yet. I should have it up on CD baby soon as well as Itunes, etc. I'll post a link up here as soon as it's online. Hope your Mother's Day went well.

Pedro

"My Way Home" live at Encounter Cafe, Summer 2008

2008-08-20T19:34:00.000-07:00

Show Cancelled

2007-03-30T16:24:00.000-07:00

Hey all,

The show at Latte 47 this weekend has been cancelled. Unfortunately a friend of mine who is associated with Latte 47 is having health issues. Keep them in your thoughts and/or prayers if you're inclined. Peace. Pete.

New Site

2007-02-01T14:14:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new music site. Here you will be able to find recording and tour updates as well as other related news. Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to join my mailing list (below).

Pete