Music Lessons in Fort Hamilton, NY

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Synthesizer Recorder Music

I have developed a teaching method that is efficient and creative, and is backed by over thirty years of professional performing experience. In the past fifteen years, I have taught continuously at several music schools in Germany. Now giving private lessons around New York and teaching at Music school of Westchester. I seamlessly connect with students of different cultural backgrounds, quickly find common points of interest, and encourage individual uniqueness. Read More

Instruments: Drums

As far as drumming goes, I believe in the same tenets that were taught to me; start with the basics and core and work your way up. For drums that means rudiments, stick technique and snare basics (books like "Stick Control" -George Stone). But lessons are not a slow grind that maybe one day build up to a full drum set. I was taught (and teach) in a way which mainly focuses first on these essentials (reading, technique etc.), but also incorporates the rest of the drum-set and playing along with other instruments and music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I think being well rounded is important with music and one thing that I've noticed is building on what the student is interested in. Started off with materials builds important fundamentals, but if my student is nodding off to sleep, then I'm not doing my job. I'll begin by setting a goal and seeing what the student is interested in (i.e. what band/song would they like to learn about?) From there, I'll set a realistic goal (Flight of the Bumblebee can't and shouldn't be the first song on guitar that you learn) and we'll learn the techniques, structure, and music theory that exists in a certain song. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Acoustic Guitar

First and foremost, learning any musical instrument should be a fun experience. With this in mind, each person's lesson is subjective and progresses according to the student's learning style; a beginning 5 yr old student's lesson will look much different that a beginning 14 yr old student's lesson. Each student will learn repertoire from a lesson book, solo repertoire and anything else that they may express interest in. As a student progresses, their repertoire will naturally become more challenging . Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Through my collaborations, I'm able to connect with other artists's forms of expression. While teaching, I strive to inspire my students to appreciate how amazing music is for understanding life and for relating with others. Lastly, music has given me a way to be involved in other artistic mediums. My projects have included writing music for a play at the Province Town Tennessee Williams Theatre Festival, writing music for dance in the Rubin museum in NY, and writing music for an award winning Argentinian documentary. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Banjo Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

The first thing I ask a student is what kind of music they enjoy. What we love to hear is almost always what we want to play. As someone with ADHD I completely understand and empathize with students who have a difficult time focusing and a different way of understanding a concept. Taking a breath and a stretch can sometimes be the best cure for learner's block. Pointing out real progress is one of the best way to fuel the desire to learn more and is itself a reward! Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

For beginner students on drums I use Ted Reed's Syncopation and Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone. These books provide a great foundation for every drummer and once we put together a great foundation our potential greatly increases. I also assign a great deal of listening for my students from all areas of music. For more advanced students we do use Syncopation and Stick Control as well but there are a number of other great resources such as The New Breed by Gary Chester or Creative Coordination by Keith Copeland. Read More