Music Lessons in Bradbury, CA

Instruments: Piano

My goal is for my students to succeed in making music at the piano. My lessons focus on 1. scales and exercises to build finger, hand, and arm strength...yes! arm strength because you use your arms in making music at the piano. 2. Exploring the piano in terms of it as a powerful tool of expressing your unique internal musical personality. 3. Exploring and perfecting music and songs the student and I choose together to be sure that the a) student enjoys what they are playing and practicing...and b) that the music will be beneficial for their growth at the piano. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I like my students to bring a small notebook, so that they may write their homework down, and any practice assignments.  I expect my students to keep a practice log of how much time they practice per week, in between lessons.  I always insist that setting goals and expectations for them, is very important, as well as keeping track of whether they themselves are staying on task.  I try and incorporate different ways of practicing or playing music, so that even practicing turns into being fun and exciting and doesn't feel like a chore.  Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar

For beginners, I always start with technique. The bass guitar is a very physically demanding instrument and without the proper technique, students can injure themselves and prevent musical expression. After fundamental hand technique is in place, I use a hybrid curriculum that my teacher walked me through mixed with my own theories that have worked for me and from the Musicians Institute basic theory book. Once both physical technique and basic theory is in place, the groundwork to explore is set and i can help the student achieve their goals of learning songs, training their ear, or simply being able to play along to records. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Rewind to the year 1996. I was in a local music store looking at the bulletin board looking for a band/bandmates. One index card caught my attention in particular: "Looking for someone to teach my 15 year old son guitar, can pay $20.00 an hour." I took the card and raced home and called her. Turns out she lived next door! Turns out he could play a little bit, so during my stint w/ him we took songs apart, put them back together then played them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet French Horn Piccolo Oboe

I started teaching violin about 15 years ago. A few years later I started teaching viola and cello. When I got to CSULB I started learning all the band instruments. I did some coaching for several years at middle schools and high schools. After that I bought a lot a wind instruments and started to teach wind instruments privately. Playing and teaching each instrument is like entering a different world. Each instrument is special in its own way. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I started playing the violin when I was 7 years old and changed to viola at age 15. I am a passionate instructor who does best for understanding and enjoying the music. I've participated in 4+ orchestras, film music, contemporary music. I have 2+ year of teaching experience, played the viola over 10 years. While I was in orchestras, I volunteered at hospitals, though some people aren't able to communicate, they could feel and enjoy the music with me. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Studying music and a specific instrument is not a straight line. There are multiple lines that cross and support each other's continuation. As mentioned previously, "Theory, Application and Technique" sums it up. We can't focus on everything all at once, so we have to prioritize what makes sense to emphasize now so that it will help us prioritize something else later. We set tangible goals when focusing on technique ("play A major scale in 8th notes at 120 bpm, for example), and can do this with music theory to an extent as well ("write out the notes of the B minor scale"). Read More