Music Lessons in Bolivar, PA

Instruments: Trombone

For beginning students, I like to build a good foundation. I start with breathing exercises and a little mouthpiece buzzing. Then move on to a beginning book with helpful exercises as well as writing my own to tailor to the student's individual needs. I will begin to introduce solo repertoire once the student has a solid grasp on fundamentals and always encouraging them to keep practicing those key elements. I also like to incorporate anything the student might be interested in to keep the student engaged and excited to practice between lessons. Read More

Instruments: Violin

I do a lot of demonstrations and use analogies from the realm of physics to describe the violin technique. I do focus on Musicality and musical phrasing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute

I have always focused on teaching each student holistically. I hope to influence students in their discovery of music through various modalities of learning, including visual, auditory, proprio-kinesthitic (movement), with a special focus on audiation. During piano and flute study, we explore the instruments as acoustical marvels and the students' interactions with them. Voice lessons always involve the whole body and mind. Listening homework is as important as practicing. I teach simple editing and technology to supplement the experience. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Once upon a time, one of my co-workers asked me to show her how to play some songs on the guitar. I can't remember exactly what those songs were, but I think it was Led Zeppelin, or something like that. Having never taught a lesson in my life up until that point, I reluctantly agreed, and later that week, she arrived at my front door with guitar in hand. As the lesson went on, I had a couple of "Aha" moments! Read More

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar

My diverse musical upbringing included piano, guitar, bass, singing, and recording in any style I could think of. I went on to play bass guitar at a professional level in bar bands and on cruise ships, and piano and organ at a professional level in churches. I've studied the drums voraciously for the past decade, playing rock and jazz with musically adventurous friends and colleagues. I bring the ears of a well-rounded musician to the instrument, and my deep experience as a bassist influence my choices at the drums. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Conga Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My number one rule for teaching is patience and setting small goals each week. Every student should want to pick up the instrument days after the lesson. Seeing someone learn a song and playing it through correctly is a mini miracle. Progress through repetition and different exercises has been a high yield of success in my personal experiences. Praise for when a student fulfills a goal goes a far way in future lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

I have many books for beginners that I used growing up. I usually get a feel how the student is going to learn to enjoy music and then go from there. There are different types of beginner books, one focusing more on the technical aspect and the other one on note reading right from the start, so its really based on how the student learns and take small steps from there. Read More