Music Lessons in Stevensburg, VA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

For beginning students I try to start with the essentials. It is important for young children to become familiar with the instrument, the proper way to hold an instrument. The proper way to sit when playing or stand while singing. Fundamentals at the earliest ages are essential. Practicing the fundamentals leads to success which leads to a desire to learn more about the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students who are children, I begin with method books to teach the fundamentals and establish good practice routines. Once a good foundation is established, I like to move into solo and ensemble repertoire to develop lyricism and expression. For adults, I find out what the students are interested in, and direct my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun regardless of ability level. I have rigorous practice routines for all ability and commitment levels. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I have been playing guitar for over 40 years now, and have spent 6 years in guitar lessons myself. Three of those years were devoted to studying classical guitar. I have been teaching for over 12 years, and now instruction has becomethe main focal point of my playing. When I was 30 I decided to go back intoguitar lessons and study classical guitar. This was very challanging but made me a much better player all around. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I started teaching private lessons on guitar and bass in the mid-1970's, after playing for about 10 years. If you want to learn to play, you have to practice. It is a physical and mental exercise that is a significant challenge to any beginnner and and on-going project that you can work on for your entire life. That's why I emphasize, encourage and enable you with many methods and techniques to keep yourself focused on praciticing, rehearsing and performing so it becomes part of your daily routine. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Harmonica Ukulele Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Almost all of my students attend class with smile. My instruction schedule is step by step that easy to develop skill. One term is three months after three terms, they can master notes and chords as well as many strumming and arpeggio. Also they can play many classical music and pop. At first lesson, I catch student's ability and there one needs. I make long term schedule for them and they follow my instruction schedule easily. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Keyboard

If the student is interested in jazz, I typically use Jim Snidero's "Jazz Conception" books as a great starting place to learn about interpreting jazz music as well as a basis for starting to talk about improvisation. Continuing from there, jazz students will start to learn jazz "standards" from the Great American Songbook and discussions of improvisation will go deeper. With all students, it is important to discover what they are interested in and encourage that interest. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet Recorder Music

For those who are beginning on their horns, I will be using the Essential Elements book. Within this books starts off with the basic whole notes and half notes than moves to quarter notes. Every other page adds a new note to their repertoire. For those who have been on their horns, I will be using the 2nd/3rd Essential Elements book. Those who have no trouble with those books, I will be introducing them to solo works and adding some theory in there for they can understand the basics of music and what comes with it. Read More