Music Lessons in Somerset, NJ

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For music sight-reading on the guitar, for students of all styles (except Classical-exclusive), with my youngest students up through high school I use Mel Bay's "Modern Guitar Method Grade 1" & optionally Grade 2 (depending on the direction and progress of the student) before moving onto Hal Leonard's Musicians Institute "Music Reading For Guitar" book. For adult students not studying Classical or Jazz, I make sight-reading of music optional, but I still make music theory mandatory for the student in order to provide a broad understanding of the music they learn, as well as provide knowledge on how to improvise their own guitar solos. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

For younger students, I find that book based methods are very helpful, and typically I go through the Hal Leonard Essential Elements Series. Once the student has a firm handle of the basics of saxophone (fingerings, embouchure, dynamics, etc.) then I start having them read etude books, and prepare pieces for recitals and other performances or auditions. For adults, I like to teach based on a goal oriented program. For example, If I have a student who is only interested in learning the saxophone for the sake of playing "Yakety Sax" or "The Pink Panther Theme", then I will tailor the lesson plan towards learning that while still working on the fundamentals of Saxophone along the way. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Latin Percussion Music

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs to make them confident, healthy, and efficient singers or players. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

Everyone learns an instrument for different reasons and I think it's very important to acknowlege that and recognize acheivements students make regardless of how small they may seem. I strive in every lesson to find what excites a student about music and what gets them interested to learn. I want students to be constantly engaged, challenged, and invigorated by music so that they too can develop a passion for music like I have. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

Although I am strict and demanding, I am a very positive and encouraging teacher. I wan to be inspiring, but also help the student to become self disciplined. I think self discipline is one of the most important thing when it comes to career and achievements. I also try to higher their expectations and push them to be more ambitious and more confident about their capability and skills. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

My teaching experience dates back in college. I never thought that teaching would be a passion of mine until I began teaching privately 7 years ago. The first question I like to ask my students is what inspired you to play the saxophone and what are their overall goals. Where do they want to reach and strive for when playing their desired instrument? Based on the students' goals, I will gear my instruction towards my the needs and desires of the student and give them the best experience possible I began teaching students from my church who were eager to learn the saxophone. Read More

Instruments: Flute

I use a big diversity of books and methods for my flute classes, that I pick trying to adapt to my students' age and interests. With little children I use many short and simple songs, that get more and more complex while the students are progressing. I like to introduce solo repertoire as soon as possible, to start developing the students' personal taste for music. I also encourage them to bring their own suggestions about the pieces or songs they want to play, and I create personalized technique exercises to improve the specific difficulties that they find along their practice. Read More