Flute Lessons in Valyermo, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

This type of jumping around is pretty routine even with students without special needs, so maintain a flexible but focused teaching style. It's a bit of a tightrope, but a walkable one. Adam, as many students are, was eager to show me his progress with scales first thing every week but as soon as the scale began to irk or ceased to interest him, we had to move off of it right away onto something that was joyful, so he stayed focused. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

My methods depends on the skill level and interest of the student. Fundamentals are key, but I always try to incorporate them with music that the student is interested in learning. I believe that music should never be boring, and practicing should never be a chore! I also believe that musicians of all skill levels can and should improvise, as it is a fundamental form of creative expression that is often overlooked by classically trained musicians. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Saxophone Flute Clarinet Oboe English Horn Acoustic Guitar

Music is experienced ears-first, and that's how I prefer to teach. I certainly teach everyone to read music if they don't already know how, but I really like to help people hear the music they want to make. This is done through listening assignments, playing with my students during lessons, some music memorization, and singing. I also incorporate a lot of improvisation games to get students making sounds pressure-free and help them access their inner expressive voice. Read More

Instruments: Flute Music

For beginning students who are children, I usually start with how to make a sound on the flute by practicing only the headjoint for the first week to help them develop the muscles in the lips and help to keep the aperture small. Once they feel confident with the headjoint, I would then teach them how to hold the flute properly and have a correct posture when playing. As soon as the student has progressed on these fundamentals, I will introduce them to the first notes on the flute which are typically B,A and G above the staff. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute Keyboard

I like to work with my students to figure out what their passion is within the wide scope of music, and work from there. My lessons include: technique and warm-up exercises, performance preparation, personalized arranging, and an emphasis on individualized lesson plans based on level, interests, and goals. Depending on the instrument, level, and genre, some teaching materials I like to use are: Faber series, Fingerpower series, Music for Little Mozarts, Czerny etudes, A Tune a Day, Forty Little Pieces, Steps to the Real Book (Jim Levy), Jazz Piano Handbook (Michele Weir), Heart It and Sing It! (Judy Niemack), classical and popular music repertoire, and my own original exercises. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Harmonica Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle Piccolo Oboe English Horn Keyboard

I teach combination of the Suzuki method and the Hungarian style (stressing the natural, comfortable, painless, tension free method). For young students, the Suzuki method is great, since the repertoire is all fun! Also the CD that comes with every level is vital! Children enjoy and benefit from that. I am an audiophile, so I can set up students with a quality hifi system on the cheap - this is so vital in Suzuki method, as he stated in his book, Nurtured With Love. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I have been teaching students consistently for over 30 years and have been teaching in my home studio for the last 10 years. Regular practice on a daily schedule is key for anyone wanting to achieve a level of proficiency that yields satisfaction on any level. Several of my students have gone on to professional employment on Broadway, touring bands, and recording studios as well as becoming private instuctors, music directors, and school music teachers. Read More