The Beat Goes On

Gus Schnable has been a professional musician for over 26 years  and has been teaching for the past 16 years. Well versed in numerous  genres of music, including jazz, funk, r&b, rock, metal, and  classical, Gus enjoys a full roster of students and is continually  active composing, recording, and performing in various group settings.  Gus holds a Master’s Degree in Music Theory from Temple University. He  received his Bachelor’s Degree from Berklee College of Music with a  concentration in Jazz Theory and Arranging. He is an active member of  The Society of Music Theory, The Music Theory Society of the  Mid-Atlantic, and an avid participant in the SMT Jazz and Popular Music  discussion groups. In March of 2004, Gus presented a paper at the  Mid-Atlantic music theory conference in Philadelphia based on his  research in Generative Theory and its applicability to jazz music,  specifically in the music of Charles Mingus.

With his education and professional experience, Gus has had success  in helping students with placement into college music programs  throughout the country. He has held an adjunct teaching position at  Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA (2006-2009). Currently, Gus teaches  guitar and bass at two studio locations: DrumWorks School of Music in  Orefield, PA and at the California Drum Shop in Bethlehem, PA where he  has been on staff since 2001. Gus also maintained a private teaching  studio at the Emmaus Lesson Center in Emmaus, PA from 1997 to 2009.  Since 2005 Gus has been a Sound-Test Consultant for the C.F. Martin  guitar company.

In the summer of 2006 Gus toured Germany with Scott Bradoka opening  for Jeff Beck and Buddy Guy. In 2008 he headed back to Europe, making  stops in Germany and Prague with Scott Bradoka and the Staggering Evil  Genius’, touring as a support act for Robert Cray, The Hooters, and  Dicky Betts.

Some groups that Gus has recorded and performed  with include:  Rhino Campground, Devils Half Acre, Scott Bradoka, The  Philadelphia Funk Authority, Flirtin’ with the Mob, The Fortunate Fall,  Dan DeChellis, The Starlites, and Blitz. He has also done pit orchestra  work for the Civic Theater in Allentown, PA playing in the Who’s rock  opera “Tommy”.

Most recently, Gus’ original compositions can be heard with the instrumental funk/fusion group Drop3.