510-240-5040
Musika Quick Stats
24 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
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510-240-5040
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Music lessons in Oakland . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola Mandolin Recorder Orchestral Percussion Music
I use various methods, books that will fit the student's needs. For instrumental, I use theory book with written activity that helps the student understand the fundamentals of music. In addition, I use various exercise and performance books that will develop the student's skill and master the instrument. For voice, I teach various vocal exercises and vocal techniques that will develop the student's voice. I have been passionate guiding students across various musical genres, including classical and contemporary, and languages such as English, German, Italian, French, and more. Read More
Instruments: Piano Clarinet
I teach all styles of music. I begin teaching from piano books published by Alfred. I also have the student learn their scales as well as give a weekly written music theory assignment. I incorporate styles and songs the student enjoys listening to or playing as well. I like to teach classical music. With this foundation, ALL other music is much easier to play, and helps tremendously with their sight reading skills. Read More
Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass
I began teaching bass guitar and double bass in 2006 privately from my studio and in music schools and academies. I use a combined classical and modern approach to music, taking full advantage of all my musical knowledge and music skills to find and build the most appropriate one for each individual student, helping them enjoy the music and bass, encouraging them to study and practice. I have also planned and taught music classes in elementary and middle schools as well as at summer programs. Read More
Instruments: Trombone Euphonium
I expect practice of the assignments that I give for my private trombone lessons and am a proponent of getting my students to work hard on any weaknesses in their playing. I do set realistic goals and make sure that my trombone students are comfortable with meeting those goals. I encourage trombone students to find new material that they want to do in the future and structure my lessons with the end goal of accomplishing what the student wants to achieve on the trombone. Read More
Instruments: Flute Clarinet
I am a motivated teacher who loves to teach flute and to share my passion of music. I graduated from San Francisco State University with my Bachelors in Music in Classical Flute Performance. I have studied with Leslie Chin and the second chair of the San Francisco Symphony, Linda Lukas. I have been able to work with some great conductors such as Dr. Martin Seggelke and John Williams. I am currently working on the soundtrack for the upcoming Star Wars film and I have completed the season 5 soundtrack of Game of Thrones in November of 2014. Read More
Instruments: Piano Music Keyboard
For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Faber's Piano Adventures or Suzuki's Piano School, however I am open to other books. Faber focuses more on written and piano practice whereas Suzuki focuses on auditory learning and piano practice. 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 Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Music Keyboard
We then set about drawing up a practice routine, specific to that student. The practice routine is a set of 3-5 exercises taken from my library music books that will each touch on an area or skill that the student needs to work on. The routine will end with a song or piece of music for the student to read and practice. The student will practice this routine daily and the following week the student and I will sit down and play through the routine together. Read More
Instruments: Drums Music
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
My brother and I were the only musicians in our family. He is older than me, so I was exposed to music and the instruments that he played throughout my childhood. He played Sax, Accordion, Piano, and ultimately stuck with the guitar. In the sixties, he auditioned for Sha Na Na while attending Columbia University, but my parents would absolutely not allow him to join.
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
It sort of came with the territory for me. You work hard everyday, practicing, and playing with anyone who would have you, make a lot of mistakes along the way, apply course correction, and then repeat. Being a professional musician also applies to one's mindset. You van be good at something and sound great, call yourself a professional, but if it's not in your DNA, then it can become a constant struggle. Keep a positive attitude when you play. Don't look at it as work or a chore. If you love what you do for a living, then it's not work at all. You've arrived!
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Blues, Rock and Jazz Fusion are my favorite styles. These musical genres are challenging and provides an opportunity to play odd time signatures and polyrhythms that build up your skillset as a player that you will find yourself incorporating into your playing.
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
Rhythm Guitar
Piano
Bass Guitar
My older brother played the guitar as his primary instrument and taught me the basics when I was 9 years old. He auditioned for Sha Na Na in the late sixties.
My daughter is a trained classical pianist and I took piano lessons from her for 5 years. This improved my ability to sight read music on a completely different level than drums.
I took up the Bass guitar about 5 years ago.
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
For me, I dedicate 45-60 minutes everyday to practice. I warm-up on the practice pad for 20 minutes moving through rudiments, looping exercises, method books, and a variety of etudes, etc. After the practice pad, I move to the drum set and go through variations in the Ted Reed Syncopation book, as well apply snare drum lessons to the drum kit. Then to top off the session, I play along to (and record) a number of Jazz Fusion tracks, classic Rock, Country, Latin, and Blues, and World music.
I record everything I do so I can listen back with a critical ear to identify my trouble spots and then make it a priority to hit those elements hard over the next few practice sessions.
What is your dream piece to perform and why?
I dream to master anything performed by Dave Weckl. Dave is a highly capable and technical drummer with a great feel. But his ability to shift and displace notes and beats is hard to copy. I always get a great workout practicing his music.
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
If I wasn't a musician, I would be a music producer and a recording studio engineer. I was a recording studio and radio engineering in my twenties, and that experience taught me about acoustics, dynamics, mixing consoles, microphones, effects, and processors that I still incorporate in my life as a musician to this day.
24 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Music lessons in Oakland to students of all ages and abilities.
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