Music Lessons in Lake Forest, CA

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

I primarily use original material when I teach, but occasionally Ill work from standard method books such as Stick Control, Master Studies, and Syncopation, or assign pages from more recent books like John Rileys The Art of Bop Drumming. Ill also pull out books specifically for sight reading such as Anthony Cirones Portraits in Rhythm. For beginning and intermediate students I focus on fundamental technique, basic sight reading skills, and drum set playing (independence/coordination of the limbs, relaxation and balance, time and groove, fills and solos, introduction of musical styles, etc.) For advanced students I get into more conceptual and creative aspects of playing the drums, but I also introduce the Spivack/Wilson technique which I learned during my studies with Murray Spivack and Richard Wilson in the 1980s [check out the 4-part series featured in Modern Drummer magazine in 2011-2012]. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola

For beginning string student's, I use Essential Elements for Strings and Schroeder method books. Once the student has grasped the basic fundamentals and note reading, I begin to introduce solo repertoire from the Suzuki String method. Along with technical studies and solo repertoire, the student will learn scales ranging from one to four octaves. For beginning piano student's, I use the Bastein Piano series. This method is complete with a method book, solo repertoire, theory studies and scales. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

Embouchure: muscle distribution, posture, mouthpiece position Tone Production: tongue position, first tone , various dynamic levels, long tones Intonation: Overtone exercise, opening of throat , expansion of neck, singing pitch Articulation: reading phrase articulation , determining articulation Phrasing: playing each note with a purpose Repertoire: Standards , Publications Scales: major / melodic minor arpeggios thirds and fourths various exercises Patterns: symmetrical patterns for repetition and inside and outside harmonic structure Equipment: horns, reeds, mouthpieces, books, software, hardware Solo Interpretation : Playing in the proper idiom Ensemble interpretation: following the lead player, supporting role, blending History Saxophone Styles: Major influences on Jazz and Popular saxophone Practice routine: what , how long and in what order to practice Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ

For beginning piano students I always like to start lessons with keyboard familiarity, vocabulary and recognition. we play games and use rhythm sticks and learn patterns and placement on the piano. I also start with finger placement and strengthening skills with repetitive Finger Phrases and John Thompson basic levels 1 through 3 songs. I also teach students how to "FEEL" the key signatures with scales and drills that help them become familiar with the keyboard. Read More

Instruments: Piano Cello Keyboard

For beginners, I would first teach them the basic sitting and hand postures, basic note-reading, and basic music theories. After they know how to play piano in an appropriate posture, I would like them to start with Hanon piano exercises. I believe it is a great book to warm up the fingers and a great finger exercises for all levels of piano players. Other than those basic exercises, I would also like to introduce them to one to two simple pieces that are fun to play. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Studying music and a specific instrument is not a straight line. There are multiple lines that cross and support each other's continuation. As mentioned previously, "Theory, Application and Technique" sums it up. We can't focus on everything all at once, so we have to prioritize what makes sense to emphasize now so that it will help us prioritize something else later. We set tangible goals when focusing on technique ("play A major scale in 8th notes at 120 bpm, for example), and can do this with music theory to an extent as well ("write out the notes of the B minor scale"). Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

My teaching style is informal in that the lessons are challenging, but the delivery is casual. It's important for me as a teacher to relate to the student on a personal level, so that I understand what the student wants to do and the direction and path they'd like to take. To see the student progress is most important, but to understand the best method to encourage the student is the primary function of the instructor. Read More