Keith McCuaig

A place to learn,
a community to share.

Music history courses, music lessons, and more. Let's go on a journey together, one note at a time.

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Electric guitar leaning against a shelf of records and music books
About
Portrait of Keith McCuaig
Musician, teacher, lecturer

Teacher, player,
lifelong student.

Keith McCuaig is a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa; has taught 40 courses through Carleton University's Lifelong Learning Program; and has presented at international musicology conferences.

From performing and giving music lessons, to lecturing and working with Ottawa Bluesfest's community music programs, Keith's life and passion is music.

More about Keith
Courses

Music history courses on a variety of topics, offered virtually and in-person.

Each course is made up of 6x two-hour classes. All course materials are shared with participants.

Poster for The Story of Rock and Roll, 1951-1966
Next virtual course
$175Six weeks

The Story of Rock and Roll, 1951-1966

Sept 22 - Oct 27, 2026
Tuesdays, 10am - noon EST

This six-week course explores the explosion of creativity in American and British popular music, starting with the birth of rock and roll through to the British Invasion. Styles include rockabilly, Brill Building pop, surf rock, folk and more. The social and historical context of this music - a growing youth culture, changing race relations - is also examined. From Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, the music of the 1950s and early 1960s exerted a cultural influence that lives on to the present.

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Poster for African American Music of the 1940s-1970s: Blues, Soul and Funk
Next in-person course
$175Six weeks

African American Music of the 1940s-1970s: Blues, Soul and Funk

Sept 17 - Oct 22, 2026
Thursdays, 1 - 3pm EST

An overview of some of the most popular musical genres from the 1940s to the 1970s, including the main figures, important recordings, and the musical features of each style. The cultural importance and impact of this music is also discussed, including the overlap between these genres and the ways one genre influenced another. From Muddy Waters and Marvin Gaye to Aretha Franklin and James Brown, this class is an exciting musical journey.

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Past courses (offered again soon)
  • ✦Actively Listening to Music
  • ✦Film Music: The Sounds of Hollywood
  • ✦An Introduction to Reggae and Jamaican Music
  • ✦The Finer Points of Listening to Music
  • ✦An Introduction to Hip Hop Culture
  • ✦Canadian Popular Music
  • ✦The Story of Rock and Roll: Late 1960s and 1970s
  • ✦Exploring Popular Music: 1980s to the Present
Music Lessons
Keith McCuaig teaching a young student to play acoustic guitar

Guitar, ukulele, and bass lessons.

All styles
Rock, folk, blues, pop, classical
All levels
Beginner to advanced
All ages
6 to 100
Rates
$50
per half hour, one student
Zoom or in-person
Group half-hour
$602 ppl
$753 ppl
$804 ppl
20+
Years teaching
30+
Years as a musician
100s
Students taught
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Live Music

Over 100 shows a year, for every kind of room.

Keith performs regularly for a wide variety of audiences across Ottawa and beyond.

Book a performance
Where you'll find Keith
  • Retirement homes (50+ each year)
  • Weekly preschool classes
  • Private events, weddings, community festivals
Past bands
  • Airliner Blues BandRoots, soul, funk
  • Blazen ThursdaysReggae
  • Robert Farrell BandBlues / rock
  • The WalkoutsEclectic acoustic duo
Student Testimonials
“

Keith is an amazing lecturer: knowledgeable, passionate and very able. It was a pleasure to be in his lecture series. I would definitely attend others taught by him.

- Participant, Lifelong Learning Program, Carleton University
“

Keith McCuaig's enthusiasm for and expert knowledge of his subject, coupled with his liberal use of sound bites from each song he discussed and the use of his own guitar to illustrate certain points - he is a gifted lecturer.

- Participant, one of Keith's online courses
“

As a 'mature' student and complete newcomer to guitar, Keith is patient, supportive and inspiring. His genuine love and deep knowledge of music is evident and I'd recommend him to anyone interested in taking up the guitar as I have.

- Brian, guitar student with Keith
“

I learned much about music genres that I grew up with and that shaped my values, while being thoroughly entertained by each and every lecture. I will prioritize future lecture offerings by Keith.

- Participant, Lifelong Learning Program, Carleton University
Contact

Ready for some music?

If you have any questions about courses, lessons or performances, use the contact form, or send an email to keith_mccuaig@hotmail.com.

Mailing list

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