Nancy Wilson of Heart Joins Class as Yousician Guest Teacher

Plus, watch her take on Heart’s hit Barracuda on Yousician!

Guitar icon Nancy Wilson made the end of the semester a little brighter for a class of guitar students at Montclair State University’s John J. Cali School of Music.

The lead guitarist and vocalist from the multi-platinum rock group Heart joined the class as our first woman Yousician Guest Teacher. She performed the band’s iconic hits “Barracuda”, “Even It Up” and “Silver Wheels” for the excited students, who are on track to become future music teachers. They were able to ask her some questions about stardom and navigating the music industry as a woman (hint: “It’s a bit thankless”).

She had some great insights for the students as performers. “What to leave out is just as important as filling up the space.” Noted!

Nancy also gave meaningful advice for future music educators. “I think learning to play by ear is one thing that is really good to be able to improvise by ear and not to be stuck only playing by reading music on a page. Developing your ear, harmony and intervals is really gratifying because you can pick up an instrument and go, ‘Oh, yea, I think I know how that goes’ and you can kinda figure it out without needing a crutch of music on a page….I think music educators can help develop the ear which is just as important as knowing how to read [music].”

Nancy is half of the sister duo Heart, known for their incredible guitar playing and amazing vocals. She’s ranked as the eighth-greatest female guitarist of all time by Gibson, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Heart in 2013.

Heart hits “Barracuda” and “Kick It Out” are now available on Yousician for guitar, bass and voice. Share your performances with us on Instagram and don’t forget to tag Nancy!

The Yousician Guest Teacher Series launched this past summer with iconic musical artists such as Phil Collen from Def Leppard. Stay tuned for more in 2021!