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.
↕ Sweep your cursor across the strings↕ Swipe across the strings
Rock✦Blues✦Jazz✦Funk✦Reggae✦Heavy Metal✦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
0+
Years on stage
0+
Years teaching
0s
Lessons given
0
Instruments taught
02 — 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 a Yamaha DAW (digital audio workstation).
Ask about studio time03 — 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
04 — Gallery
Moments from the school.
Lessons in progress, the rooms we play in and a few clips to hear what it sounds like. Tap a photo to see it bigger.
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
Hit ● Rec, play anything on the Guitar, Drums, Keys or Groove Machine tabs, then hit it again. Your take lands here on its own tracks.
Recording & Production
Record, mix and edit your own music in a real studio, using a Yamaha DAW (digital audio workstation). This is the idea in miniature: lay down a take, hear it back, then make it better.
Ask about studio time06 — The Method
Lessons that feel like jamming, never a grind.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Word for word, from students and parents.
Guitar
★★★★★
Originally I was daunted by the idea of learning how to play the guitar and I didn't think I'd be able to do it well. But Stevie is a really great teacher and knows exactly what he is doing, and he also works with you through everything at your own pace. There are no feelings of pressure and each lesson I've had so far are fun & relaxing. He also works with your schedule & time frames and makes sure that you leave each lesson with enough information so that you can work with it throughout the week easily, and not get overwhelmed with too much info or work. After working with him, I have and will continue to recommend him to anyone who is interested in learning how to play a musical instrument; because I know you can't go wrong with this choice.
Patricia P.
Parent
★★★★★
I knew from the first 10 minutes how passionate Steve was about music. He has a real gift to teach young kids how to embrace music without frustrating them. My daughter loves her weekly lessons and she gets better with each lesson. I give him the strongest of recommendations. He even taught me how to tune a guitar! He is smart, understanding and patient. We look forward to seeing him every week.
John Paul B.
Guitar & bass
★★★★★
I have been studying guitar and bass with Stevie now for six months. The progress I have made is remarkable! Stevie plays and teaches five instruments and I have had the pleasure of seeing him perform live........he brings that same enthusiasm and excitement to his students at C-Note music school. Previously I had studied with a few other teachers that used a " one size fits all" method, while Stevie's lessons are custom fit and tailored specifically to meet my needs,abilities,and goals. I would recommend him to anyone looking to learn to become a musician!!!!!
Shawn T.
Guitar · parent
★★★★★
My 10 year old daughter has been taking lessons from Stevie for about a year now. We are thrilled with her progress. Stevie is not only an excellent and patient teacher but he is a gentleman who goes the extra mile to ensure that he provides a comfortable learning environment for his students. He genuinely wants his students to enjoy making music as much as he does. It's been a real pleasure watching my daughter develop her guitar skills over the past year with Stevie.
Mark W.
Piano & bass · parent and son
★★★★★
Stevie is an excellent teacher! My son and I both take weekly lessons from him. I take piano and my son is learning bass. In just under a month we were both able to play several songs. Stevie's lessons are easy and fun. I highly recommend him to anyone wanting to learn how to play and instrument.
Denise M.
Guitar
★★★★★
I've been taking guitar lessons from Steve for seven weeks now and I find him to be a GREAT teacher and very knowledgeable on everything when it comes to anything related to music. If you want to know anything about a particular instrument or Amp or anything related to music Steve can guide you. I'm an older student and mentally handicapped sometimes ;) and he's very patient with me. I give him 5 stars and would recommend to him to anyone.
Billy R.
Drums
★★★★★
I've been studying drums with Stevie for just a few lessons so far and I am very happy with how it's been going. His lessons are fun and dynamic, with the pace of learning adjusting to my skill level. Would recommend.
Guy G.
Guitar
★★★★★
Very friendly and good instructor. Works at your pace and is not pushy or overwhelming. Absolutely enjoy my lessons and would recommend to others.
Jackie F.
Guitar
★★★★★
Have had two lessons so far, Steve has been great to work with! Make it fun and outside of learning how to play the guitar also learning a lot about music
Cory C.
Drums
★★★★★
I've been studying drums with Stevie for about 2 months now and am very happy with the progress. He's very friendly. Had great fun! Definitely recommend it.
Mengyi H.
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
Private studio in historic Overbrook Farms, Philadelphia
Payment
Cash · Check · Credit card · PayPal · Cash App · Venmo
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.