Care Again Music
Advanced Chicago Guitar Lessons
Coaching passionate Chicago musicians in advanced guitar, improvisation, composition and creative development.
Reigniting Creativity
Real Professional Experience
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From beginners to graduate students, touring musicians to recording artists.
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Touring, recording, teaching, studying, I live the ideals I believe in.
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To help creatives across the globe reach their potential
Coaching students who have gone on to
Chicago Guitar Lessons & Music Coaching
Care Again Music offers advanced guitar lessons and music coaching in Chicago for dedicated musicians who want to move beyond the basics and develop a confident, personal voice. Our coaching helps players use harmony, phrasing, and musical language in practical ways, so music theory becomes a natural part of creative expression. Lessons are available in Chicago and online, with each session shaped around your goals. Areas of focus may include technique, tone, fretboard knowledge, stylistic range, performance, recording, and overall musicianship.
We also provide coaching in songwriting, music composition, arrangement, and improvisation. Songwriting lessons help musicians strengthen melody, lyrics, structure, and form. Composition coaching explores harmony, orchestration, and musical storytelling across different styles. Arrangement lessons focus on shaping musical parts, balancing texture, and creating strong dynamics for solo work or ensembles. Improvisation coaching connects these skills and helps musicians build creative fluency in jazz, rock, pop, and other styles they want to explore.
Many students come to Care Again Music after feeling stuck in repetitive practice routines or disconnected from the creative side of music. Some are adults returning to music after a break. Others are experienced players who want to improve their improvisation, composition, songwriting, or overall musical fluency. Whether your goal is performing, recording, writing original music, or building a stronger relationship with your instrument, each lesson focuses on practical skills that support long-term growth. The aim is to help you play with more confidence, expression, freedom, and purpose while developing a musical voice that feels fully your own.
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Private lessons provide focused one-on-one coaching tailored to each musician’s goals and creative direction.
Students commonly work on areas such as:
• improvisation and musical language
• composition and songwriting
• modern harmony and harmonic analysis
• guitar technique and musicianship
• artistic development and creative identity -
Group sessions create a collaborative environment where musicians develop real musical interaction. Playing with other musicians strengthens listening, creativity, rhythmic awareness, and improvisational fluency in ways that individual practice alone cannot. Group coaching is also an excellent way to accelerate musical growth while keeping lessons more affordable, and many musicians find that the collaborative environment unlocks new creative breakthroughs.
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If I’m in town, students travel from across Chicago for lessons, including neighborhoods such as:
• Lincoln Park
• The Loop
• Hyde Park
• Wilmette
• Wicker Park
• West Loop
• Andersonville
• EvanstonLessons are typically held online for remote students worldwide.
Lessons and workshops are currently offered online via Google Meet or Zoom depending on scheduling and availability.
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Care Again Music currently offers lessons primarily online. In-person lessons may be available only in unique, specific situations and must be arranged in advance.
Students are asked to provide at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or rescheduling. Lessons canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice may be charged in full.
Payment is due before the lesson unless another arrangement has been made. For recurring students, payment expectations and scheduling details will be confirmed when lessons begin.
The goal of this policy is to keep scheduling clear, respectful, and sustainable for both student and teacher.
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If you're ready to develop deeper musicianship, creativity, and confidence as a musician, lessons may be the right next step.
Reach out to start a conversation about your musical goals and how I can help you get there!
Jenny H.
"Cody is an amazing human who my son Gavin was blessed to have as a teacher and mentor. Cody's passion shines through and he connects with his students on a whole other level. He has the patience of a saint and goes above and beyond. I'll never forget the time my son had an audition in New York and Cody came in on his days off when the school was closed just so he could help my son prepare. Words can't express how much I appreciated that. Anyone who is fortunate enough to cross paths with Cody let alone be taught by him are extremely lucky. Cody Carrigan is where it's at!"
About Cody
Cody Carrigan is a Chicago-based guitarist, composer, and music educator focused on helping musicians develop creativity, improvisation, and artistic voice. He previously studied at the Berklee College of Music and continues his academic work at Northwestern University, researching topics related to musical creativity and skill development. Over the years he has coached hundreds of musicians, many of whom have gone on to tour professionally, release recordings, and pursue degrees at top institutions.
“I’m so excited to get to know you so we can grow together!”
Tayler R.
"I was about to fail out of music school before I met Cody. I was so convinced I was the problem and I felt so creatively stunted, but he brought everything back to basics and built up my confidence so I could get back to the writing and playing I originally fell in love with. Would HIGHLY recommend him to anyone."
Lesson Options & Pricing
Every lesson is designed around your goals as a musician, whether that’s improvisation, songwriting, technical development, or breaking through a creative plateau.
Free Trial Lesson Available
Let’s both make sure the fit is right before committing
Individual Coaching
$150 per 60-minute session
Focused, personalized coaching tailored to your playing, goals, and creative development. Ideal for serious musicians looking to make meaningful progress.
Most students work on a weekly basis for consistency and steady growth. For more advanced or professional players, working twice per week can often accelerate development significantly. I assure you this isn’t to sell anyone more lessons for my own sake, there is a meaningful body of research suggesting that a higher frequency approach can lead to faster integration and progress at higher levels.
Payment & Scheduling
Lessons are scheduled in advance and confirmed upon payment.
A minimum of 24 hours’ notice is required for cancellations or rescheduling. Lessons canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice may be charged in full.
Group Coaching
$90 per person, per 60-minute session
Small group sessions designed for collaborative learning, musical interaction, and shared growth.
Group lessons can be a strong fit for musicians who are looking for a more price-accessible option, while still benefiting from a structured and engaging learning environment. They are especially valuable for players who enjoy learning alongside others, exchanging ideas, and developing musical awareness in a group setting. Group sessions will begin once a compatible group is formed.
Lesson Format
Lessons are currently held online to allow for flexibility and consistency.
In-person sessions may be available in rare, pre-arranged situations.
Scheduling
Contact
Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions! Emails can also be sent to careagaincoaching@gmail.com
*Please note, all scheduling should be done through the online booking page*