Music Lessons in Manhattan Beach, NY

Instruments: Piano

I always tailor the method to the student and never the student to the method. If you want to play Joel we will work on that, If you want to play Chopin we will work on that and if you want to improvise we will work on that. I an a sucker for music theory and can talk about it for weeks (which is what I do at MSM). I am also a bottom line practical guy - whatever is your goal on the keys, If I can get you there - I will. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I started playing guitar about a month before my twelfth birthday. From the beginning I was highly determined to learn guitar technique and music theory. I enjoy listening to, playing and teaching a wide variety of musical styles. Everything from jazz to rock, to blues, to hip hop, classical, Latin styles and so much more. I'd say at the heart of it all I'm primarily and jazz musician. I love teaching and opening up students to new musical ideas that they may have not yet known. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I am a big believer in the breath. For a beginner I do a lot of exercises with breath connection to encourage healthy, connected singing. I like the idea that the voice dances on the breath and is buoyed and protected by that technique. I am also a very physical teacher, encouraging students to use their whole body in the act of singing. The voice is carried by the whole body and not just the muscles that are the vocal chords. Read More

Instruments: Piano Bass Guitar Double Bass Keyboard

Yuriy G. is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning composer and musician. He performed at such major venues and festivals as Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Southbank Centre, Vladivostok Jazz Festival, Saint Petersburg Philharmonic Hall, London Jazz Festival, Hull Jazz Festival, Barbican Centre, The Drill Hall and many more. Yuriy's name appeared at such major publications as The Guardian, Jazzwise Magazine, Bass Guitar Magazine, Jazz Journal, Jazz Weekly, Culture Jazz France, The Telegraph to name a few and his music was broadcast worldwide. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion Djembe

My teaching experience started while in college. I began teaching a couple of students and friends private lessons. It was sparse but definitively gave me an good idea of how it was to be some sort of a coach to help find the "inner drummer" in my students. After graduating from Berklee, I stayed in Boston and taught drumset, percussion, and piano at the Boston School of Music. It was a much more formal way of teaching, and I enjoyed that experience very much, and it made me realize even more that teaching is very natural and rewarding to me--from the early stages of developing a curriculum, to carrying it out while making it fun and accessible,to seeing the students having fun playing live shows. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar

I truly enjoy seeing my students get better and better - then I know I'm doing my job. That also means they are enjoying themselves and enjoying the process of learning and the fact that their skill level is increasing - and that's exciting to witness. I'm very encouraging, patient, and go very slow to make sure the student is understanding the instruction. My focus is on the student, their interest in the instrument and if they are enjoying the experience. Read More

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

For beginners to the guitar, bass or banjo I usually start with the basic notes and chord shapes. When they progress and for more advanced students, I introduce reading tab, music, scales and basic chord progressions. For advanced students I generally work with modes, finer technique and advanced sightreading, chordal and modal melodies. To work in practice exercises I typically bury them in pieces the student enjoys to better get the hang of them. Read More