Music Lessons in Hartland, WI

Instruments: Piano Flute Keyboard

I love it when my students ask questions. Being curious is one of the most important elements of learning an instrument and fostering the students innate curiosity and giving them a space to personalize their interest in the instrument is vital to my teaching style. Of course, there are basic expectations, which grow from year to year, but I don't mind straying from classical rep into other genres or experiments with sound because it allows them to connect what they are learning in lessons, to their inner voice that needs a vehicle of expression. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

For beginning students, whether they are children or adults, I begin instruction with the Hal Leonard Essential Elements book for Clarinet. Once they have made their way through that book, I move onto the Rubank Beginner or Intermediate Method book, depending on how they have progressed. Around this time, I introduce my younger students to solo repertoire for clarinet. For adult students, I try to gauge their interest and instruct accordingly, whether they are performing in their church or community band, or simply playing for pleasure. Read More

Instruments: Drums

First things first. We will use ourearsto learn music before we spend time reading what musiclooks likeon paper. This is especially true when learning to play the drum set. How many rock or jazz drummers do you see reading music on stage? This is not because they can't, rather it shows that drum set playing is more about interpreting music--not necessarily playing it exactly the same all the time. This skill involves our ears, not our eyes. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Flute

Ill have flute/guitar students learn current hits that they love and use them to teach improvisation. It all depends on the student. I teach songwriting. To that end, I may have the student come up with a hook, write a poem, or even an idea for a song about something that is meaningful to them. I help them form the melody, chord structures and song structures. Sometimes, its possible to record what the student has come up with. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

For beginning students of any age I start out with basic open chords and how to switch between them. We'll eventually try out different picking patterns with these chords and some simple songs that utilize them. For more experienced students I will present some chords and scales and determine what level they are on and take it from there. Once my students have a grasp on some chords and scales I like to have them take turns soloing while the other plays rhythm. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

I have been teaching drums and percussion privately for over 20 years. I focus on the interests of his students and teach in different musical styles such as classical, jazz, rock and metal. I can prepare someone for school band, or take an advanced student to another level preparing for a career in the music business. Other than snare and drum-set I can teach Latin and African instruments, marimba, bells and various other percussion instruments.My lessons will range from learning fundamentals such as sticking techniques and rudiments, to advanced techniques such as single and double bass drumming, odd-time, and grove passed patterns. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I have different methods for piano and voice: depending on the level of the piano student, I will use Faber method books and supplement performance pieces, technique lessons, games, theory discussions, etc. I do not use method books with voice students, although I do have a curriculum that I follow and adjust depending on the level and age of the voice student. I believe that while beginning and intermediate students continue to learn, it is important for them to practice different genres on their instrument -- this allows them to speak different musical languages, improves their understanding of style, and gives them a better context for their own gifts and interests. Read More