Piano Lessons Nassau County, NY

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar

What Books and Methods I use depend on whether the student has a particular style in mind from the beginning of their studies. I will often use the Frederick Noad series of Books with students who know they want to study Classical Guitar and then progress to repertoire when the time seems right. If they aren't sure of what direction they want to go in I will use the Hal Leonard or Mel Bay Books to get them started, and when I start to see what direction they want to go in I will begin introducing different songs and repertoire to see what direction they seem to be headed towards. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Voice

I prefer to begin students when they are at least 9 or 10 years old, but I have taught younger students who were auditioning for Broadway shows and have the ability to understand concepts of breathing and focus. I think of myself as almost a doctor; listening and individually crafting a game plan for each singer. Your voice is as unique as you are and I prefer to listen and decide what is needed to make the voice as centered, focused and strong as possible based on solid technique with breath support and letting the voice ring. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet

My first love is jazz, and as such I have a strong love of improvisation and aural skills, which I believe are relevant in all forms of music (even Bach improvised!). Once some fundamental skills and theoretical knowledge is ascertained, I like to build on more advanced musical skills like learning songs by ear, being able to identify certain common chord progressions, helpful tips for memorizing pieces, and learning to personalize music through expressive techniques and improvisational application where appropriate. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Mallet Percussion

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with a method book (my method book preference varies depending on the instrument). At the early stages, the fundamentals of music are essential. My philosophy of music is that any student is capable of achieving anything they want, as long as they put their mind to it and they work hard. I started playing the saxophone in second grade; however, there were basic fundamentals that I was still learning in college. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet

I first ask the student to play so I can hear him/her. After a student plays a short piece of music of their own choosing I can determine what the next step is. Each student has his/her own individual needs. In general though I focus on 3 key elements: 1) Sound quality 2) Technical dexterity (how the fingers deal with the twists and turns of the instrument) 3) Reading Music If a student has a specific genre of music that he/she wants to focus on then I mainly concentrate on that. Read More