Music Lessons in Spanish Springs, NV

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music

From Ray Charles Sinatra to Boz Scaggs, The Moody Blues and the band Yes. Still...I began with Band classes like nearly everybody else. Until High school it was a cool, fun class with concerts to get a grade. At 25, I began a career as a French Horn player. I studied with members of the San Francisco Symphony, Ballet and Opera as well as fine players across the continent. I've built a broad range of classical and orchestral experiences through the "Big B's" Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Bartok, Bernstein Bates, and the music of their contemporaries, to, performing National and World Premiers with the "Stars of the Peking Opera", Frank Zappa's orchestral/ballet and the hometown (Reno) composer, Mason Bates. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola

Goals are an essential part of teaching. Students need something to work toward and I want those goals to be realistic and motivate the student to work towards them. Having a basic outline of a lesson plan is important and so is the flexibility to adjust it to fit the individual needs of the student. My goal is not to have the best playing students, but to have students with the most growth in their own abilities. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet French Horn

I started teaching horn in 1976 and have taught ever since. Students are to perform not only a recital if possible or play a solo as part of a musical program but to play in a musical organization if possible. My teaching began teaching in the US Army with under performing horn players with technique, hand positioning and air control. The instruction continued through 19 years as an enlisted Army musician. Two years was in active duty service in Europe. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Harmonica Ukulele Recorder Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I believe that a strong foundation is essential for steady progress and confident performance. A comprehensive approach is my preference. Therefore, when I teach piano, I prefer Faber and Faber Piano Adventures paired with A Dozen a Day for added technique. Since many students in this school district are in band or orchestra, I usually use Essential Elements for Strings, Brass, and Woodwinds. I spend a reasonable amount of time preparing my students for our recitals and many of them join in the group songs, which have included "What a Wonderful World", "Happy", and currently "The Theme From Midnight Cowboy". Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music

For students between the ages of 3 and 7, I typically use either the Little Mozarts method or the Birds and Dogs method. For students who are older, I use a combination of methods, including Alfred's, Bastien and Faber. I have also designed and used my own curriculum for students with special needs, including students who have autism, cerebral palsy, nerve damage, ADHD and for gifted students. I incorporate classical music including Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Kabalevsky and many others for more advanced students, and especially for students who are competing. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I customize my curriculum to the needs of the student and the things they would like to learn. From basic note and chords to substitutions and harmony. Within that I always give an understanding of basic music theory in a practical way that the student can apply to their playing. . For those who want to go deeper in music I teach advanced concepts, improvisation and song writing. For beginning students I mix basic chords and melody to help them play songs that they can enjoy. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Banjo Mallet Percussion

My teaching style is improvisational in nature. I focus on creative compositions. In contrast, I present traditional music and learning. I juxtapose the two into a new style of teaching. I mix the old with the new, and thereby create my own style. Much as in the fashion of Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do with my intention on music education. Read More