Music Lessons in Japantown, CA

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion Keyboard

For beginning learners I will focus on drum stick hand placement, grip, and control. This will fundamentally give the student more comfort in rhythm later on in the lessons. A proper hand grip and finding a comfortable position is key to starting the foundation of being a great drummer. We will also focus on the nomenclature of the drum kit. We don't just want to hit the drum kit, but we want to learn what it is we are hitting. Read More

Instruments: Piano Oboe

For beginning students (children and adults), I typically start with Alfred's Piano Lesson and Recital books. Before starting to read the music score, I seriously train their technique and hand/body posture. After students become fluent on note-reading and able to read and play basic rhythmic patterns properly, I will begin introduce simple solo repertoires and etudes such as Czerny studies, Bach minuets, Burgmuller studies, sonatinas, and simple classical repertoires in Keith Snell books. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I began teaching guitar when I was 15. Since then I have taught people of all ages and varying abilities. I help students to learn at their own pace and own style. Not everyone wants to learn to read music right away, so i Taylor my instruction to your personal goals with playing guitar. I encourage my students to practice daily and to play with other people. Most of my teachers showed me the path, I just had to walk down it. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I have found that this helps the student to progress more quickly and gain a true love of music. I also like to have my students work on a wide variety of repertoire, even if they would like to specialize in only one field. Coming from a liberal arts college,I find that having a specialty while also being well versed in other fields as well is important to a successful music study. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching method for complete beginners is to take examples from method books such as the Aaron Shearer method book, and apply it so that the student can become accustomed to using their fingers to pluck and frets strings. After they get a sense of how to use their hands on the instrument, I would automatically start teaching pieces. I believe that pieces are the most practical way to learn an instrument because first, playing pieces is the goal that we want to achieve in the first place and second, I believe that all of the techniques that are needed when playing an instrument are all included in pieces. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Piccolo

I think the best way to teach is to start with what my students are interested in and embed music concepts and theory throughout our lessons.  Additionally, I have a library of method books, lesson plans, literature, and curricula that I like to follow. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Ukulele Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music

I start lessons by warming up and doing exercises. For children, I do this in a listen and response setting. Then I will work through school songs or performance pieces, focusing on rhythms first, notes second and musicallity third. These 3 aspects lead to musicial mastery. I finish each lesson with an easy cool down. With in each lesson, I focus on musical styles that the students are interested in and work towards goals that the student set for themelves. Read More