Music Theory

Skyler Bready

Skyler Bready is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter available for guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, music theory and songwriting lessons at Maxwell's House of Music. His approach emphasizes teaching technique and theory alongside songs that students already know and love. His songwriting lessons focus on demystifying the creation process and encouraging students to build their own personal songbook. Skyler works with beginner to advanced students. When Skyler isn't teaching at Maxwell's, you can likely find him riding his bike, singing lead vocals and playing guitar in his band "Darlington Pairs," or working in his home recording studio.

Dan Cartledge

Dan's lifelong obsession has been music. He first sang publicly at the age of 4 and has not stopped since. He began piano at 14 and guitar at 16. Dan continued his studies in music into college, graduating from Liberty University with a degree in Choral Music in 2011. Even though his main instrument was voice, he also trained in theory, composition, piano and music history. While at university, Dan began a band called The Empty Room in 2009 which is still active today, with three albums under their belt. Dan loves to teach because he believes music is one of the things in life that keeps us alive. He is currently active in the Louisville music scene, participating in several bands and playing many different venues. While music occupies most of the space in his brain, Dan also enjoys spending time with his beloved wife and 10 year old son.

Jacob Head

Jacob Head has been teaching at Maxwell’s House of Music since August of 2016 and has become one of the store’s best musical assets since joining the team. Jacob began playing music at the age of nine, beginning with violin. He has since become accomplished on mandolin, guitar, piano, and ukulele. He is a 2015 graduate of the University of Louisville School of Music, with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy. He is the worship leader at LifeBridge Christian Church in Louisville, the founder of the group “Compass Quartet,” and recently has begun working with private clients as a board-certified Music Therapist. In addition to teaching at Maxwell’s, Jacob manages the very popular “Blue Note Café” monthly concert in the Maxwell’s Stage Room. In his free time, Jacob enjoys arranging and composing music for himself and the Compass Quartet, as well as spending time with his wife, Kara. He enjoys teaching students of all ages, levels, and abilities.

Tim Pitts

Tim Pitts has over 35 years teaching experience. He teaches all aspects of music theory including reading, improvisation, composition, style, complex rhythms, melodic concepts and technique. He has authored two instructional books: Learning Guitar Book 1 and All About Chords. Styles covered include rock, blues, metal, shred, jazz fusion, neoclassical, acoustic, and altered tunings. His teaching strengths include enabling students to open up to improvising leads, understand what scales to use, read timing, and utilize advanced creative melodic concepts. Supplemental instructional CDs and tab booklets from Tim’s Master Classes are also available on a number of subjects. A strong effort is made to gear lesson material towards the student’s goals and interests. Helping students maintain interest and providing them with inspiration is job number one. Tim’s music education includes five years of private lessons with instructor Mark Smith, one year with Jeff Sherman, three years with Alan Phelps, and one year with GIT graduate Pat Lentz. He is best known locally for performances with his bands SandPit and The Gary Sanders Band. Tim has written and recorded six internationally acclaimed CDs and is always working on a new one. His sense of humor and vast knowledge ensure a fun lesson every time.