Music Lessons in Shakopee, MN

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

With a new student I always start by getting to know their abilities and experience with the drums or any other musical instrument up to this point and then go from there. With someone starting out with no experience I begin with basic match-grip technique, striking the drum, and some basic counting to get the fundamentals down. I generally use George Lawrence Stones Stick Control for the Snare Drummer to introduce various sticking patterns and the upstroke/downstroke concept. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Fiddle Keyboard

My style of teaching is different for each student. After meeting the student, I suggest setting a goal, working towards that goal for 4 -6 weeks - after which an assessment is made by me to determine how best to continue. For the younger student I often demonstrate, or play with them. Encouraging recital participation, finding the right performance piece helps me determine what inspires the student, young or old. Negativity in lessons is not acceptable and never happens with me as your teacher. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I have amassed a catalog of handwritten materials over the years, as well as some books and exercises from my old teacher. There are a few exercises from the essential elements book that I like to use with beginners, but not enough to warrant purchasing the book. I provide photocopies of all the lessons, as well as supplemental videos in some cases. I use videos or audio recordings to supplement my lessons to help the student practice during the week when i'm not around. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium Tuba

I believe it is important that each student set goals for his or her progression as a musician in each lesson, and I help students set goals when I can. I have high expectations for my students, and expect them to work hard. I also understand that not every student can put the same amount of time into lessons, so I do not set a weekly practice amount. However, I do still expect them to consistenly practice when they can. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

Throughout the past 10 years, I have taught neighborhood kids and friends how to play the piano both beginning and intermediately. I like to encourage everybody that consistency is the key to learning (for beginners). Not necessarily practicing for long periods of time, but frequently. Better to practice for 10-15 minutes three to five times per day than for an hour or two all at once. I've found that the best foundation comes from scales. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

It goes very gradually from lesson to lesson and kids have a chance to practice sight reading, practice their counting and gain rhythmic stability. I also add up some other tunes with piano accompaniment early on. It is also fun to play with piano, you can hear how your part is not just one line but can have a harmony which helps to learn better music sonorities and develop musicality. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

For my advanced students (18+), depending on how advanced they are, I start them in the "First Book of _______ Solos" series. This series covers singing in English as well as several other languages and provides a good foundation for singing. Anything else I do with the student is on an individual basis. For younger brass students (10-14) I would teach out of the Standard of Excellence Books unless they are more advanced where I would start them in the Arbans Book, Robert Getchell Book, and/or Schlossberg Book. Read More