Music Lessons in Carleton, MI

Instruments: Piano Drums Synthesizer Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

I try to cater my lessons to the interest of my students. If a pupil’s passion for music can be harnessed, then developing musical skills can be a simple process. I have a wide variety of material I teach from, including Ted Reed’s syncopation, George Lawrence Stone’s Stick Control for the Snare Drummer and basic piano literature. I also use music selected by the student to create custom lessons. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students who are completely new to the world of music, I typically start them with exercises and theory found in Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. This introduces them to the foundations of the guitar, such as basic chords, chord progressions, and the musical alphabet. Once they have the necessary understanding of the fundamentals, I then like to find out what music the student is interested in learning and apply these foundations in musical pieces they are familiar with. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

Making music and playing your instrument easier is always my goal. Putting visualizations to certain sections of music to make the student more musical, or making a game out of the harder more technical sections is how to keep students interested longer. Of course, every student is different. Some need a firm nudge in the right direction, while others are so self-determined that all they really need to remember is how to make music enjoyable--and then they break through and can infinitely improve. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Keyboard Electric Guitar

My lessons will be pretty focused on music theory so that, in time, the student will be able to make their own music with ease. For new beginners, I'd likely ask which song they wanted to learn. And then I'd teach it to them, while also explaining scales, how to build chords, and the theory used in the song. Because my favorite part of playing music is improvisation, that's my go-to goal for the student, but I'm always willing to adjust my teaching methods accordingly. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I have been teaching since 1998. I love making music fun for my students, while requiring students to learn fundamentals such as music theory and vocal health. Teaching has been part of my life for over 17 years and I hope to continue for at least that many more. I believe music is for everybody and that each individual can improve and learn if they care and make an honest effort. I also teach to the student's focus as the time: if preparing an audition we focus on that. Read More

Instruments: Flute

I like to tailor my lessons and teaching methods to the skills and age of the player. I usually will put together a bundle exercises compile of flute methods and exercises I create myself to help the student progress. For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I use the Faber method for my beginner students. Sometimes with students who are 4 or 5 years I use the pre-beginners books from Alfred. Other times I use the Suzuki method, depending on the level of understanding. Alongside those books, I use technique books to build good, strong hand especially for young kids. As we move along I start giving solo repertoire from different eras of music to introduce the student to different kinds of music from different composers. Read More