Music Lessons in Pacific Heights, CA

Instruments: Guitar Voice Ukulele Acoustic Guitar

I firmly believe that, as the Latin derivation of the word "Educate" would demonstrate, the key to teaching is NOT in the pouring of information into a student, but in the "Drawing Out" (E Ducere) of the student's interest and instincts... While lesson plans are very helpful as tools, I prefer to PERSONALIZE my instruction by first assessing the innate desires of the student and their initial acumen--and THEN devising a plan that COMBINES what THEY want with what i know as an educator will lead them to THEIR goals... Read More

Instruments: Viola

For beginners, we'll start with the ABCs of Viola, and Hal Leonard's Essential Elements for Strings, along with Suzuki, Vol 1. We'll work on developing skills as a soloist, and simple duets that the student and I can play together. For intermediate students, we'll go further into the Hal Leonard books, and the Suzuki series, 2 octave scales, double stops, vibrato, musical phrasing. It's very important to enjoy the process of learning the viola, so I always want to make it fun! Read More

Instruments: Violin

I would first begin with scales and just focus on getting the correct hand placements. After maybe one or two lessons with focusing on scales, we will then begin with Suzuki books. These books are great for getting the kids more familiar with music and also put their scale practicing to the test. Of course, the scales will still be continued however as the student progresses, we will focus less on scales and put our attention more on various classical music pieces. Read More

Instruments: Cello

My teaching style is open book. What I find motivates a student is what they wish to learn and music they want to play. The basic foundation is one of the key elements to better musicality but also the study of listening and understanding music drives what we consider the originality of each musician. I believe that as much as physical practice drives the growth of a student, I want to build motivation for the student to pursue greater things with music and allow it to translate to other parts of his/her life as it has for myself. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I start my beginning students with Alfred guitar method. If someone wants classical lessons I start them with the Fredrick Noad books and some Sor and Segovia studies. For people interested in improvisation we begin with Blues and then take it where you want to go. Advanced students I give more master class type lessons where we discuss more advanced music ideas. Read More

Instruments: Oboe English Horn

For beginning oboists I typically start with the Gekeler Method for Oboe. Once a student has moved passed the basics the fun begins with Ferling Etudes, the Barret Oboe Method, and the Vade Mecum! There is a wide variety of solos, sonatas, and concertos available for study between these method books intended solely for oboists. They also include duets that are fun to play together, and repertoir for the English horn as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I am a classically trained clarinet player who learned every Rock instrument along the way and some other instruments. I'm currently in multiple bands including a Classic Rock cover band and a Latin band (Rock, Funk, Reggae, Ska, Cumbia). I write music in a variety of styles as well, such as singer/songwriter, Rock, EDM/trance, and even wrote a piece for the Diablo Valley College Philharmonic Orchestra. I'm also a big music theory geek which adds to my teaching ability. Read More