Music Lessons in Applegate, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice

For children, I begin with Donald Waxman's Pageant for Piano series. The pieces are quite fun, and also good for technique. The illustrations also offer many opportunities for story-making and engagement. For adults, I begin with James Bastien's The Older Beginner Piano course, and for intermediate learners, supplement it with pieces from Bartok's Mikrokosmos, Czerny, Kabalevsky, Burgmuller's 24 Etudes, duets and various other literature as appropriate. Improvisational skills may also be taught. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute

Emphasis on fundamentals and the basics. Beginning Lessons in Reading and Writing Music, as well as Sight-reading exercises and instruction on Jazz Theory for the more advanced students. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Synthesizer Music

David began a successful career as a free-lance musician, performing in various venues in New York City, Philadelphia, Atlantic City and the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area. In addition, he also taught privately in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs. Since relocating to Sacramento in 1999, he has continued to perform as a free-lance musician in Northern California, while maintaining a private teaching schedule in Sacramento. Davids students are participating in the areas concert/jazz bands, honor bands, community bands and the Sacramento Youth Symphony. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I tailor my lessons to the student and their goals. I pull my methods and practices from experience and A Spectrum of Voices by Elizabeth Blades-Zeller. I also like to teach my students basic music theory to give them a better understanding of how music is structured and to deepen their overall musicianship. For that, I pull from Music in Theory and Practice Volume 1 by Bruce Benward and Marilyn Saker. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello

I have written and released my own piano series which I use for beginner and intermediate students of all ages. My method introduces students to vocabulary of rhythm, pitch, music symbols and ensembles. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

When it comes to teaching, I find the most important thing is that we work towards the goal of what the student wants to learn - in the case of their preferred styles/genres of music, and the songs that they really enjoy. Every student has their own individual skill level and pace that can be developed and worked around. First, I would find out the level of skill and musical interests of the student, then I would create a lesson plan utilizing all of the tools at my disposal - both from my personal experience and from other educational sources, such as: Blues books, Rock books, Classical guitar/piano books, theory books, and tablature books, or music from popular bands. Read More

Instruments: Flute

I think we all learn best when having fun, so I keep things light. For younger folks, I encourage practicing daily, but with a light touch. For older musicians, you decide how much you want to practice and progress. I emphasize comfort while playing and I have many tools and ideas to help with that. Regular lessons help so much with motivation. If you are interested in jazz improvisation, I have a some tested ideas that work. Read More