Music Lessons in Braidwood, IL

Instruments: Guitar Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar

I have been teaching guitar, electric bass, and woodwinds for over 30 years.  I have a Bachelor of Arts from Northeastern Illinois University.  I have performed all over the Chicago area in a variety of Rock, Americana, Country, Folk, Blues, and Celtic ensembles.  I write original songs and compose music for dance and film. Some of the bands I have been in include; The Flynn Brothers Blues Band, Small World, Honeysuckle Road, Body Parts, Al Day and the Victors, and I have also performed with Bo Diddley as his bass player. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

My methods start with building individual plans for each student. Whether this is from scratch or from a method book I try to see what each student is successful in and struggling with to guide my teaching. While I attempt to be fun, understanding, and motivating this doesn't mean I am lackadaisicalwith my lessons. I expect the best my students can put forth while they should expect the same from me. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I approach private music lessons centered around the student. Whether the student wants to learn a single song, a few different songs, or wants a complete ground-up experience starting with the most basic fundamentals, I can accommodate the students needs and wants. I will break beats down to the fundamental level and build from there in easy sections in order to comprehensively understand a specific rhythm, which makes learning much faster. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Recorder Euphonium Tuba Mallet Percussion

I like to get to know the student as I am teaching so I create small breaks to get to know who I am teachign and their interest, so that I may taylor my lessons to the student. For beginning students I like to use essential elements books as a guide for their practice. For adults I try to find out their long term goals and taylor my lessons to gettimng them to reach that goal. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For younger students I try to focus on simpler concepts and to revisit lessons to help solidfy the material until they feel comfortable progressing. Familiarity with material before it's necessary for application I feel is also a good approach. I currently study using the guidance of University of West London's curriculum for practical knowledge as well as theory and my lessons are geared towards mastering the instrument and not just learning songs. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

For beginning students, I like to start with the basic fundamentals of holding the drum sticks properly and how to set up the drum set so its comfortable for the student. Every body type is different and its important to start with that. Then we would move on to learning the basics of different styles and then move on to reading music from method books. With adult students, I find out what they are interested in and work towards their goals. Read More

Instruments: Voice

Not one lesson is the same. I cater each lesson to the student. Every student is different and have a different learning style! With my first lesson, I love to sit down down with the student and/or the parent and to discuss expectations and get to know the student. I also determine what level they are at so I know where we need to begin. Every student has their own unique experience. Read More