Music Lessons in Portland, OR

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing a student develop a passion for music. Its important that each student progresses add their own pace. We at weekly goals and regularly discuss practice routines. Acquiring new skills requires musicians to break down music into its building blocks and practice additive components step-by-step. By successfully tailoring my instruction to their needs and desires, my students develop fundamentals and musicianship for a lifetime of music making and music appreciation. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I firmly believe that every student is different and deserves their own personalized lesson experience. I do my best to get an understanding of what a student's musical interests and goals are tailor their lessons towards those goals. I teach lots of songs, because that's what we want to play! I also do my best to make sure you understand WHAT you are playing so that you can take elements of one song and know how to re-use them later. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele

I generally split lessons into three sections, 1/3 with chords, 1/3 scales, 1/3 with songs, but every student is different, for example, If your goal is to strictly learn chords to sing folks songs over, I will emphasize more chord reading and learning time. If you want to play leads, I will spend more time emphasizing scales to help you learn how to improvise. There are also other excercises we can do like rhythm reading (just with clapping, no instrument) transcription/listening, and harmonic analysis. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele

Patience, as well as my depth of experience, are characteristics of my teaching style. I'm as happy as the student is when he or she achieves an understanding of a musical concept or mastery of a physical technique on the instrument. The achievement will reinforce more effort toward the next step, but it must be "relaxed" effort. "Slowly but surely" is my motto as the challenges become greater and the success sweeter. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have studied piano privately for almost 10 years. My first experience teaching piano was in high-school, when I taught after school lessons. Since then I've had the opportunity to absorb the teaching methods of many excellent instructors. My teaching approach continues to be influenced by these teachers. For example, I have found that my classical training has helped me approach all genres and styles of music. As I continue to teach and learn in different musical territories, I constantly return to the fundamentals. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium Tuba Orchestral Percussion

I typically will start students with excercises of my own creation. I then will add either Esssential Elements, or Rubanks Elelmentary Method depending on the learning style of the student. we will play duets from Amsdens Celebrated Practice Duets, or Selected Duests for trombone vol. 1 or 2 by H. Voxman. If students are interested in jazz, we will practice with How to Play Jazz and Improvise by Jamey Abersold and play chord changes using irealpro. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Synthesizer Keyboard

In most of my lessons, I use one of several piano methods, which I supplement with additional materials, chosen according to the student's musical preferences and goals. My preferred courses for beginning students are Alfred, Faber and Bastien. I always include music theory, as it is fundamental to appreciating and understanding the music, and it allows students to learn the basics of improvisation. For students interested also in vocal training, I have experience and an excellent teaching method available. Read More