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, 1966-1975
Next virtual course
$175Six weeks

The Story of Rock and Roll, 1966-1975

Nov 10 - Dec 15, 2026
Tuesdays, 10:15am - 12:15pm EST

By the mid-to-late 1960s, rock music had solidified its place as a respected artform. No longer dismissed as disposable teen pop, it was widely recognized for its musical and cultural significance. This course focuses on rock music from 1966-1975, including subgenres such as psychedelic rock, blues rock, glam, progressive rock, and singer-songwriters. The social and historical context of this music, its major figures, and descriptions of musical characteristics will be explored. Discover the various sounds and cultural influences of this exciting era of rock music!

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Poster for Actively Listening to Music, Part 1
Next in-person course
$175Six weeks

Actively Listening to Music, Part 1

Nov 5 - Dec 10, 2026
Thursdays, 1 - 3pm

This course will help to fine tune your ears and develop strong listening abilities. Learn about musical forms like the 12-bar blues and 32-bar chorus form, and how to identify individual instruments through sound. A wide variety of popular music genres will be covered including rock, pop, blues, country, R&B, reggae and more. The ultimate goal of this course is to increase your enjoyment of music through a greater understanding of what you are hearing. Our analyses will not be overly technical, and you don't need to have a musical background; all you need is a love of music. This is an independent lecture series, distinct from Actively Listening to Music, Part 2, which ran in previous sessions. Knowledge of the material from that course is not required.

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Complete Course List
  • ✦African American Music, 1940s-1970s: Blues, Soul, and Funk
  • ✦Film Music: The Sounds of Hollywood
  • ✦The Story of Rock and Roll, 1951-1966
  • ✦The Story of Rock and Roll, 1966-1975
  • ✦The Story of Rock and Roll, 1975-1989
  • ✦Exploring Popular Music, 1990 to the Present
  • ✦Actively Listening to Music, Part 1
  • ✦Actively Listening to Music, Part 2
  • ✦An Introduction to Reggae and Jamaican Music
  • ✦An Introduction to Hip Hop Culture
  • ✦Canadian Popular Music

More new courses coming soon...

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.

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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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