Music Lessons in Belvedere Tiburon, CA

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

As said above, number one in my mind is meet the student where they are. I want to find a way to be not only a teacher for a student, but a way to be a mentor. Students spend years with teachers and they can very quickly become such an important component and role model. If there's a single thing I want my students to learn, is to love music. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My teaching methods are based off of the Franco-Belgian school founded by Vieutemps, Beriot, and Ysaye to name a few. i am also inspired by the methods of Ivan Galamian and his teaching style. For beginners, I will start with basic elements such as the proper way of holding the instrument; this is crucial for later violin development so it must be mastered first. I will also provide lessons on basic Music Theory essential to understanding rhythm, pitch, and reading music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trombone

I began teaching private lessons while I was still in college around 2005 and have had few private students. Ive taught and coached jazz band, concert band, and orchestra youth programs like Stanford Jazz, The Jazzschool, and Golden State Youth Orchestra. The students I work with learn the fundamentals and mechanics of the instrument, the understanding of musical language and theory, how it relates to the world, expression of feelings, thoughts and ideas, and the overall joy and fulfillment of playing music on trombone. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching method for complete beginners is to take examples from method books such as the Aaron Shearer method book, and apply it so that the student can become accustomed to using their fingers to pluck and frets strings. After they get a sense of how to use their hands on the instrument, I would automatically start teaching pieces. I believe that pieces are the most practical way to learn an instrument because first, playing pieces is the goal that we want to achieve in the first place and second, I believe that all of the techniques that are needed when playing an instrument are all included in pieces. Read More

Instruments: Oboe English Horn

For beginning oboists I typically start with the Gekeler Method for Oboe. Once a student has moved passed the basics the fun begins with Ferling Etudes, the Barret Oboe Method, and the Vade Mecum! There is a wide variety of solos, sonatas, and concertos available for study between these method books intended solely for oboists. They also include duets that are fun to play together, and repertoir for the English horn as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always say that rhythm is more important than the notes. Play the right rhythm and the notes will come instead of playing every right note while sacrificing rhythm. I encourage students to make their mistakes loud, proud, and in rhythm so everyone has a better idea of what needs to be worked on most. I also emphasize isolating parts to practice and working backwards. Example: play the last two bars of the song until comfortable with it, now play the last 4 bars, last 6, last 8...etc., whole song. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I've blended my methods with a response to each student I work with by requesting their trust, listening to their places of comfort and interest in playing music, and discovering new avenues of development with the student. I encourage them to draw from those areas in our sessions as we develop our repertoire and enhance individual growth from there. For beginners I tend to start with either Standard of Excellence books or Rubank and build custom practices from there. Read More