Music Lessons in East Long Beach, CA

Instruments: Violin

For beginning students I do follow the Suzuki Method to an extent, where they learn the main parts of the instrument and bow, how to hold it to prevent as much tension as possible, and some general ear training exercises to help with learning pieces. I have a list of games to do that especially work well with younger beginners, since their attention span is limited and I want to make the lesson time productive but also fun for them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Bass Guitar Music Keyboard

I believe in using your ears as the most important tool. Which means I believe in playing music rather than reading it. Growing up playing music by ear. I prefer this way of teaching and only use sheet music as an assistant to help the student get to a certain goal. As a teacher I can help you grow your abilities on your instrument. Help you achieve the cool warm sound you want from the saxophone. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola

 I've been actively teaching for nearly 35 years. Teaching children as well as adults. I graduated from Drake University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Music Education. While in college I played professionally in the Des Moines Symphony and was the winner of the Young Artist Contest which afforded me the privilege of featured soloist with the Drake Symphony Orchestra. I've travelled Europe performing in America's Youth in Concert and have played at Carnegie Hall, Notre Dame. Read More

Instruments: Piano Organ Music Keyboard

Im pretty comfortable with a variety of methods but for children I enjoy using Alfreds method either for younger children or children over 7 . I also use Alfreds all in o e adult method along with a their greatest hits book to add more repetitive . All the series I use come with a cd of prerecorded tracks to play along with so its like youre playing with the band . All my students use a cd player as well. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

For beginning students I like to get them to have proper technique when it comes to the right and left hand placement on the bass. I also like them to get familiar with a sense of time so I use a metronome and teach them about how the beat works along with playing the notes on the bass. For intermediate students I gauge their knowledge of music theory such as scales and arpeggios and work on those along with tackling songs that they might want to play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Acoustic Guitar

For my students, I like to see what type of music they are interested in and listen to a few of their favorite songs. From there we can learn chords (guitar, piano) and melodies for vocal lines. We could go the route of learning scales and theory, but since I didn't grow up learning that way, I'd prefer to go the more modern way by learning strumming patterns, chords, inversions, melodies and harmonies, and teach dynamics to make a song come together. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I'm a thorough andconscientous instructor. I like to prepare my students well for their future musical endeavors, whether it be an audition, performance, or college coursesework. This is achieved by including technique, theory, and aristry in each lesson. I choose literature appropriate to the level of each student's advancement. I am also receptive to alternate ideas. Read More