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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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
I began my musical journey with piano lessons at the age of six. In 2003 I received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from U.C. Santa Barbara and received of Master of Arts in Teaching from National University in 2012. My pedagogical experience includes teaching piano performance in my private studio as well as at the Crowden Music Center in Berkeley and at the French American International Music Conservatory in San Francisco. Read More
Instruments: Double Bass
Learning a string instrument, let alone the bass, can be difficult. It takes a lot of time and effort, and not everything works for every student. I want to work with the student to provide the most ideal approach to help them succeed in their goals. I will teach the student that it is okay to make mistakes, but that it is important to work to correct them. There is no such thing as a perfect performance, but striving for excellence should be the goal of the students I work with. Read More
Instruments: Piano Clarinet
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. Performance recitals are recommended, but not required. Read More
Instruments: Piano
I have worked with countless students in any level, including students as young as 3, students as old as 60+, and students with special needs. Under my flexible and unique way of teaching, my students acquire not only piano skills, but also critical thinking skills, analytic skills, independence, sensibility, and enthusiasm to express deep human emotions. Regarded as one of the most dedicated, creative, diligent, artistic, and knowledgeable pianists by many students' parents and college professors, I see teaching as not only a great pleasure and joy of my life, but also my responsibility - music is one of the most noble forms of communication, and it gives life such a layer of meaning that everyone deserves such opportunity to discover and explore in the realm of music. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I think of two things as being central to my teaching style: Fun, and Growth. I think too many music lessons dry out the material, and suck the fun out of something that should be inherently joyful! I try to make every music lesson interesting, and keep my students engaged by giving them material that gets them hyped. Second, I think music is a great chance for people to experience the joy in Growth. Read More
Instruments: Guitar
I design my lessons with the specific student goals in mind.For Beginner students: we will start by exploring rhythm concepts and understanding how to read music. Learning the physics of the guitar and exploring the notes in the first few positions. Learning open position chords, and simple chords progressions, major and pentatonic scales,etc.For Intermediate students: we will continue expanding our knowledge of the higher positions of the guitar, as well as develop better sight-reading skills. Read More
Instruments: Oboe English Horn
I played with the Musician's Workshop orchestra in Temecula, CA while in high school. The orchestra was a beginner program and I joined to play as a mentor. I enjoyed mentoring the younger players in the group and did some x22mini lessonsx22 during our playing breaks with some of the wind musicians. This began my love of teaching. I did an apprenticeship in 2008 with the Master Musican in Murrieta CA to learn musical instrument repair, and taught music lessons with them to beginners. 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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