Drums & Percussion
Find the pocket. Build timing, coordination and feel, then learn to drive a band from behind the kit.
Stevie, live at the C-Note Cafe
C-Note Music School · Philadelphia
Music is good
for the soul.
I’m Stevie Cunningham, a working musician for over 40 years and a music teacher for over 25. Drum, guitar, bass and beginner piano lessons at my studio, tailored to you. Fun, interactive, and never a grind.
4.8 on Thumbtack · 17 reviews · Background checked
↕ Sweep your cursor across the strings↕ Swipe across the strings
Rock✦Blues✦Jazz✦Funk✦Reggae✦Heavy Metal✦Orchestra✦Dance Party✦
Drums♪Percussion♪Guitar♪Bass♪Beginner Piano♪Recording♪Free trial lesson♪
01 — The Player
Forty years on stage. Still playing.
Hi, I’m Stevie, but most people know me as C-Note. I’ve been a professional musician for over 40 years, playing in rock, blues, jazz, funk, reggae, heavy metal, orchestra and dance party bands, mostly in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs.
I’ve also been teaching for more than 25 years and have given thousands of lessons on drums, guitar, bass and beginner piano. Today I run the C-Note Music School. Many of my students have gone from complete beginners to professional musicians playing in bands.
— Stevie “C-Note” Cunningham
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Years on stage
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Years teaching
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Lessons given
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Instruments taught
02 — The Setlist
Eight styles. One lifetime of gigs.
Whatever kind of music moves you, I’ve played it live — and I can teach you to play it too.
Now spinning: C-Note’s greatest hits · hover a style to change the record
- 01RockBig riffs, bigger drums
- 02BluesWhere feel comes first
- 03JazzSwing, changes & listening
- 04FunkIt’s all about the one
- 05ReggaeThe one drop & the offbeat
- 06Heavy MetalSpeed, power, precision
- 07OrchestraMany players, one voice
- 08Dance PartyKeep the floor full all night
03 — Lessons
Pick your instrument.
Every lesson is tailored to your abilities and built to further your musical goals — from your very first note to playing in a band. All instruments are provided at the studio.
Guitar
From your first chords to riffs and solos — rock, blues, jazz, funk and everything in between.
Bass
The bridge between rhythm and harmony. Learn to lock in with the drums and hold down the groove.
Beginner Piano
Start at the beginning: notes, chords and your first songs — at a pace that feels right for you.
Recording & Production
Record, mix and edit your own music in a real studio, using Logic Pro X, Pro Tools, Ableton or FL Studio.
Ask about studio time04 — The School
Step inside the school.
A beautiful mansion converted into a music school, complete with a concert hall and fully equipped rehearsal and recording studios. Every instrument you need is already here.
- Concert hallunder the same roof as your lessons
- Rehearsal & recordingstudios, fully equipped
- Every instrumentprovided, just bring yourself
- Free trialmini lesson to get you started
05 — The Jam Room
Don’t just read about it — play something.
A little taste of the studio. Turn your sound on, then bang the pads, play the keys, strum some chords or build a groove.
Output
BPM
06 — The Method
Lessons that feel like jamming, never a grind.
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Tailored
Built around you
Every lesson is shaped to your abilities and your musical goals. Total beginner or seasoned player, we start where you are and go where you want to go.
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Never a grind
Fun & interactive
Music should be a joy, not a chore. Lessons are hands-on and engaging, so you leave every session excited to pick up your instrument.
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Real band experience
Play with a band
I teach with accompaniment and ensemble styles, playing along with you live, so you get real-time experience of what it’s like to be in a band and play with other musicians.
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Gear provided
Everything’s here
My studio has every instrument you need, plus rehearsal and recording rooms. No gear? No problem, just bring yourself.
My goal is to spread the wonderful gift of music to as many people as possible — because music is good for the soul!
— C-Note
07 — Reviews
Straight from the students.
Summaries of verified reviews from Thumbtack, where C-Note Music is rated 4.8 out of 5.
4.8/ 5
- Hired 21 times on Thumbtack
- Background checked
- 13 years in business
“Stevie is a really great teacher and knows exactly what he is doing.”Patricia P. · adult guitar student
Guitar · adult
Went from feeling daunted to confident. Patient, no-pressure lessons at your own pace, flexible about scheduling, and just enough to practice each week. Recommends Stevie to anyone who wants to learn an instrument.
Patricia P.
Piano & bass · parent and son
Called Stevie an excellent teacher. Parent and son both take weekly lessons, piano and bass, and in just under a month they could each play several songs.
Denise M.
Drums · adult
About two months in and very happy with the progress. A very friendly teacher, great fun, and definitely recommended.
Mengyi H.
Drums
Fun, dynamic lessons, with the pace of learning adjusting to the student’s skill level. Would recommend.
Guy G.
08 — Free Trial
Your first lesson is on me.
Let’s get you playing. Start with a free trial mini lesson: meet me, try out the studio, and see how much fun learning music can be.
- Drums, percussion, guitar, bass or beginner piano
- Every level welcome, especially total beginners
- All instruments provided at the studio
C-Note Music SchoolPhiladelphia
Admit one · No cover
Free Trial
Mini Lesson
All instruments provided. Presented by Stevie “C-Note” Cunningham.
Admit one
№ 0001
09 — Contact
Let’s make some noise.
Questions, scheduling, or ready to claim your free trial? Reach out — I’d love to hear from you.
Phone
610-304-3444
Lessons
At the studio in the Philadelphia area
Payment
Cash · Credit card · PayPal · Cash App
Your free trial mini lesson
Call or email to get started.
Tell me what you’d like to play, and we’ll find a time that works for you. Every instrument you need is already at the studio.
Every level is welcome, from complete beginner to advanced.