Music Lessons in Dunnigan, CA

Instruments: Piano Flute Music

For beginning students in flute and piano, I use Trevor Wye flute books and Alfred piano books, respectively. These books cover fundamentals and hand technique and once that is learned and internalized, then I will introduce more solo or accompanied repertoire that they would eventually perform in a recital. For beginning composition students (which are taught remotely on Zoom), I will go over different "lectures" about fundamental music theory and integrate short composition assignments that go according to what was learned in the lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For children, I begin with Donald Waxman's Pageant for Piano series. The pieces are quite fun, and also good for technique. The illustrations also offer many opportunities for story-making and engagement. For adults, I begin with James Bastien's The Older Beginner Piano course, and for intermediate learners, supplement it with pieces from Bartok's Mikrokosmos, Czerny, Kabalevsky, Burgmuller's 24 Etudes, duets and various other literature as appropriate. Improvisational skills may also be taught. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I do not have formal homework for students under 8. For students 10 years old and older I have a strict policy of teaching Music Theory including basic scales, rhythms, notation and triads. Drum tabs and beat charts are also covered; but my goal is create a well rounded musician which many drummers are not. Like adult and teenage students; the goal is teach the child to teach themselves- as repetition and commitment are key to gaining full competency with the drumset. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

In addition to working with standard repertoire and method books, I devise my own exercises to help with breath control, tone production, rhythm, aural skills, and other topics. I dedicate particular time and attention to the areas where I believe each individual student can benefit the most (e.g., tone quality, counting, etc.). For young students, I like to incorporate music games and improvisation into my teaching, both of which help the student develop essential musical skills in a fun, relaxed way. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

In piano lessons, I'll provide highly valuable instruction and guidance on the key aspects of playing the piano: interpreting a piece of music accurately and with artistic expressiveness, improving technical ability, learning methods for efficient fingering and effective pedaling technique, developing greater control over emphasis, dynamics, and timing, and even strategies for physically improving and safely caring for your hands, fingers, and forearms. If you are a beginner and aren't sure what all those things mean or if they would apply to you, that's fine too. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music

For years 1 & 2, we will go through the "red" and "blue" books (Standard of Excellence) together, in order to formulate the right habits with embouchure, breathing, posture, and learning to read and play the correct notes. Once some headway has been made, we can begin "Arban's" for technical studies, Bai Lin's "Lip Flexibilities" for advance warm up and excersies, and Rochut's "Melodious Etudes" for solo material. Various orchestral excerpts, band pieces from school, and supplemental study material will be included as needed. Read More