Music Lessons in Mc Cook, IL

Instruments: Guitar Drums Ukulele Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

As far as other instruments including the guitar and ukulele, I just think they’re awesome and I play them at home whenever I get a chance! having started on violin when I was six years old, I was first chair second violin throughout high school. Therefore, I can assist you in being able to read music as well. I am also currently using a music app (FL Studio) that has allowed me to create trap beats and back beats for songs I continue to write. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My methods vary depending on the background and interests of the student. Typically I shy away from tabs since I read music notation. I do recommend learning the basics of reading music for anyone who is thinking of self study in their short or long-term commitment to any instrument. I usually suggest to the parent or student, that they research method books for guitar basics. Many times, a family member or friend will have a method book that will be more than suffice if it is a standard method book. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I like to rely both on method books and insights I have gained over the years. I believe that a student's familiarity with all the major and minor scales is an important goal to arrive at as soon as it could be achieved. Just about as important is a steady rhythm. So, I stress this too. When my student reaches a satisfactory level, I invite him or her to participate in a recital. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin

My teaching style is based off of my experiences with 10+ teachers I worked with in my history of violin playing (25 years!). I had a lot of fabulous teachers in my life, but the ones I remember and am truly grateful for are the ones who inspired me to be a better musician and ones who taught me how to teach myself. Those are my two goals for my student, find out what would inspire students to want to get better and then teaching them how to practice so that they can get better. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I can say without hesitation that music is what permeates my soul in every aspect of my life. I have been playing drums since age 5 and played my first professional, paying show at age 16. I come from a large musical family with professional, working musicians and teachers, music has been center stage in my life for as long as I can remember. As a working musician, I have been in country cover and original music bands, original and cover alternative rock bands, Neil Diamond cover bands, a band where TV theme show songs were re-engineered to play out at shows, I've been in wedding bands, original and cover progressive rock bands, and various projects on the local and regional music scene. Read More

Instruments: Flute Recorder Piccolo

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with fundamentals in tone (Trevor Wye) and Moyse daily studies (I still use it myself!) . Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginner students that are younger, age 5 or 6, I will use the Faber primer lesson books. For older children, I like to use either Faber or Schaum Series music books. For adults I use either Faber or Alfred series music books. I purchase the books for the students and ask that the students reimburse me the cost of the books. I also will use various sheet music of favorite songs the student would be interested in. Read More