Music Lessons in Artesia, CA

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

IF a bassist does not have a strong sense of rhythm, the ensemble will not work well, and the bassist will have a difficult time being able to play comfortably with a drummer. However if a student is a beginner, I will start him/her off comfortably playing the instrument. Eventually I will introduce music theory and scales, sight-reading music constructing walking baselines etc etc. If a student is more advanced, I will enforce the 4 T's I talked about and make sure to incorporate what he/she wishes to work on or learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Synthesizer Keyboard

I split lessons with 1) musical materials, including new skills 2) Skill building with scales, music theory, the iPad 3) and for those who want to learn to compose I also add in composing their own melodic lines and arrangements. For the older students and for adults I also have a system of fake book playing where I teach them the chord progressions and use them to create accompaniment patters to a given melody. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I've taught lessons to students since I was 19 years old, and music lessons to students since I was 22. Prior to the age of 22, my teaching experience was as a math tutor for the SAT, but that experience was invaluable in becoming comfortable with teaching generally, learning firsthand what techniques work best for teaching at a 1 on 1 level vs teaching a small group, how best to communicate material new to my students clearly and effectively, and to identify the need, when it arises, to spend a little more time on a given concept or topic. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Most recently Derek was the lead trombonist of the 2018 Disneyland All-American College Band. He has recently performed with Wayne Bergeron, Gordon Goodwin, Dave Holland, Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman, Jimmy Heath, Shaun Martin, Christian Jacob, John Beasley, Troy Roberts, Frank Greene, Brian Lynch, Jeff Jarvis, Steve Houghton, Jiggs Whigham, Sal Lozano, and John Clayton. Derek has had recent performances at Dizzys Club Coca-Cola, the Smithsonian Institute, and the New World Symphony. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Ukulele Euphonium Tuba

Each student is unique and requires a customized approach to realize their goals. I don't believe in a "one size fits all" approach to students where they all play the same exercises, etudes, etc. I help students find what works for them, often times we create our own methods or modify existing ones to suit the needs of the pupil. I believe a solid foundation in the fundamentals of music can be very helpful, familiarity with music theory/terminology/notation. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

My teaching style is based fully on understanding the goals and dreams of each individual student. I like to develop a plan to get each student to a level of proficiency in which they can direct themselves toward the next goal. This is done through consistent methodology and practice scheduling, as well as periodic reviews of the students past progress up to date. Often times, the student will not even realize they have crossed a hurdle as it is easy to start looking further down the road as the students abilities start to become second nature. Read More