Music Lessons in Meadow Vista, CA

Instruments: Piano Accordion Mandolin Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I started to teach during my time in Music College.It was teacher job in small elementary school with different groups of children in Moldova. After that I worked in Music school for students with individual lessons and conducted orchestra classes. After State Institute of Arts I got promoted in Teachers College for teaching music instruments and conducting of Folk orchestra. After fifteen years of working there,I worked some years in State University as music instrument teacher,after I moved in USA. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

For beginners children, I like to start with a primer book. Either through the suzuki method or piano adventures. Also, there are instances where I find simple pieces from different composers, put them together into a booklet and start teaching through those while having the student write music theory in a music notebook. For beginner adults, I think its best to start with things they're interested in playing. I know that adults gravitate towards music because they would like to play some of their favorite songs and through that I teach them music, both theory and practice.  Read More

Instruments: Drums

For a long time I did not want to teach. I thought that those who can't do, teach- as the saying goes. As a father of a young boy few things give me more joy than to see my son learn about music, and Drums/Percussion in particular. As a musician I taught many musicians music theory; from diatonic scales/circle of fifths to pitch clusters and counterpoint. My best students were my band mates in In An Airplane who learned octatonic scales, modes, freetime, atonality and poly rhythm during our goings on. Read More

Instruments: Piano Bass Guitar

Even before I assign written music or note-reading, my goal for beginners is that they would: - develop a good sense of time - be able to tap rhythm and keep a beat - be able to sing a song and keep a beat - be able to chant and play rhythmic patterns - know the names of all the white keys and be able to quickly find them - improvise on both black and white keys - be able to tell a story with music - know the difference between 3/4 and 4/4 time and also be able to explain and demonstrate their knowledge - understand the basics of harmony At the appropriate time, students will be assigned scales and exercises, and will also use lesson books suited to their age-level. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginners who are young children under 7 years of age, I always start with Bastien Piano Basics Primer A together with the theory book primer A then Primer B (piano and theory). Once the student has progressed to gain fundamentals I introduce Alfred’s Basic piano Library Prep Course with the theory book as well. Some students start from B but most of them start level C depending on their ability. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

Smiley has studied piano since the age of 5 and has been fortunate to study with the Carl Wheeler the musician who wrote and played for Tony Toni tone, as well as Beyonce and high profile headliners. Smiley has played for celebrity singers including Carlos Santana, comedian Tommy Davidson, as well as John Witherspoon. He a Degree in music from the University of Berklee, and has taught piano and voice since 2005. he enjoys working with people and uses his patience and perceptiveness to communicate music to others. Read More