512-524-7387
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25 Years
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Music lessons in Austin . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet
Both of my degrees were in music education, although I did start a second masters degree in jazz studies. Since 1981, I've been teaching in several settings. I was a full time public school band director for four years, and have taught all the way to the college level and adults, teaching classes in jazz studies and private lessons on saxophone. I've done woodwind coaching as well as private teaching since 1985. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard
PIANO STUDENTS: For beginners, I prefer the Bastien series. I like a lot of variety but am very careful to not give too much at once. It is better to become excellent at each thing slowly, than try to do a lot and not be that good at any of it. I am a stickler for starting out with scales and theory right away. Understanding rhythm right away is of utmost importance as well. Read More
Instruments: Piano Violin Music Keyboard
Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more and make learning music is fun. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs.. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass Tuba Music Electric Guitar
My methods include a number of fundamentals that include scales, technique and learning how to get around the instrument with ease and versatility. For beginners, I like to focus on the George Vance techniques and teaching in order to build a strong foundation. At the intermediate level, I like to find out what the students find interesting and cater the lesson plans around that. Same applies for adult students, I like to see where their interest are and focus on those aspects during the lessons while ensuring that their fundamental chops are at the level they need to be. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Violin Saxophone Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle
I allow students to work at their own pace while also setting realistic attainable goals. I want students to feel relaxed during their lessons so I try to establish an atmosphere that's both informal yet studious. One of my top priorities as a teacher is to understand what a student is most interested in and then focus our lessons on what they love. The best way to understand technique and theory is to apply it to something that you enjoy so I always try to attain this! Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion
For beginning drum set students, the program I recommend is starting with Drum Set Essentials by Peter Erskine. As skills in rudiments and basic patterns develop, I go on to materials such as Syncopation by Ted Reed (reading,coordination,technique), and Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone (technique). For piano, I go over basic theory,major and minor scales,chords and arpeggios and work in Piano For Adults by James Bastien. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Mandolin Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
Music has been a gift that has continued to give me joy throughout my life and I can't wait to share that passion with you! Although I started out self taught, I have had many learning experiences and lessons throughout my life. I have been a professional performing musician for over 25 years and have had countless amazing experiences performing and teaching music. I am great with young kids as well as teens and adults. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
My aunt was a gifted piano player before she had to give it up to become a nun (it was a different time, she's over 90 years old now!!). Several of my cousins were punk rockers and new wavers back in the 80s. I remember being highly inspired by the fact they had their own cassette tape of their music.
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
There were several defining moments along the way. I took nothing but music classes my senior year of college and I realized my music professor (who was an incredibly helpful and supportive man) was just that: an ordinary man who decided to follow his passion and make a living at it. If he could do it, why not me? I went into music retail and was constantly getting requests for lessons which I turned down because "I'm not a teacher". One day I thought to myself "maybe I am a teacher and maybe I should find out" and the rest is history. Then after a year I realized I was a good teacher with something to offer that could help people do what they love while I also do what I love. That led me to quit music retail and become a full time professional musician!! I've been extremely fortunate and blessed to have been able to help so many people achieve their musical aspirations!!
If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
Minor in Music mostly because I realized I wanted to be a musician a little late in the game after I had already completed my actual major. Spent my senior year taking nothing but music classes!!
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
Working with Rescue Dogs is my other job and I love being able to take care of dogs that have been abandoned out on the streets.
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
This very much depends on what day it is lol! I love so many different styles and genres that it is tough to choose between them. Generally I try to spend a day working on one specific thing I'm interested whether that be country fingerstyle banjo rolls , classical guitar technique, rock guitar licks, blues bending, "shredding", etc!! I like to do it all!!
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
Again this depends on the style. A lot of work goes into making sure notes all run smoothly together and position shifts are seamless in all styles however. When I get the time I love nothing better than spending hours improving and refining my technique, knowledge base, and general proficiency on the instrument. This might involve working on particular parts or phrases within the piece, studying educational materials, improvisation, or just noodling around for fun!!
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
Each student gets an individual personalized lesson plan to help them achieve their goals in the minimum amount of time. If students want to use a specific book as well for supplemental materials that is no problem to integrate into the lesson plan.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
This very much depends on the style as bending to pitch and then using vibrato on the bent note is very hard in blues or rock styles but sweep arpeggios are hard as a "shred" player. Playing classical pieces can be quite challenging as well. The great thing about the guitar is you can choose what style and level you want to play on and there is always a new peak or challenge to master!!
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
Helping thousands of students over nearly three decades of musical education. I am truly honored to have been able to help so many people achieve their goals and become proficient on the instrument,
Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
One of my earliest students went on to study Classical Guitar at university with noted Classical Guitarist Christopher Parkening and is now a music professor at a major American university.
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I picked up the Bass guitar due to its similarity to the guitar and because people at the music store wanted me to demo the bass for them or give them bass lessons so I figured I better know what I was doing!!
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Music lessons in Austin to students of all ages and abilities.
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