Music Lessons in Surprise, AZ

Instruments: Piano Organ Synthesizer

Ive been teaching professionally for over 35 years. I'm able to teach a variety of music styles, including: Classical Jazz and Pop. I am comfortable working with students of every age, and work especially well with younger students. I think it's very important to maintain a personal and professional relationship with my students, because it makes the learning process more rewarding and benificial. My students are encouraged to enter competitions and recitals, as well as composing their own orginal music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Trumpet Bass Guitar

For all students, I teach them exercises to strenghten their fundamentals and skills in the given instrument, and each lesson we practice the exercises to focus on improving their sound production, pitch finding, placement, and more.  We also learn songs that both the student and I choose and prepare for performance (when necessary).  Here are the books I work from for each instrument, but please note that I don't necessarily use these for every student, only when appropriate: GUITAR:  Mel Bay's Modern Guitar Method (books 1 through 3) VOICE:  Master Vocal Exercises by Horatio Connell, and Sightsinging (Hal Leonard) BASS GUITAR:  Bass Method, (Hal Leonard, books 1 through 3) TRUMPET:  Essential Elements 2000, (Hal Leonard, books 1 through 3) Read More

Instruments: Piano Music

My first lesson is a casual meeting with the student (child/parent, or adult). I want to both meet and start to develop a good relationship and understanding with all involved. With younger students I talk with the parent and show them what we are working on and the logic behind it. Of course, this strategy applies to adults as well. I watch the student's progress very carefully and acknowledge accomplishments because this creates enthusiasm and further development. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Faber - John Thompson - Bastien - Alfred - Hal Leonard etc Shirley tries to fit the student to the method. Every method doesn't work for every one. Age and experience and ability all play important factors into the method that is used for you or your child personally. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar

I approach teaching in a very specialized why to every student I have. First I asses where you currently are as a player and discuss where you would like your playing to go. After I know where you want to go I can then tailor my teaching to your specific wants. Sometimes thats teaching songs and sometimes its teaching theory. If your wanting to know how to read music or tabs I can help with that as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Trombone Clarinet Synthesizer Ukulele Recorder Euphonium Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

A child will not learn to play an instrument overnight or in one week, the commitment to practice and keeping track of that practice is essential. Nothing helps us learn better than encouragement, even when it sounds bad. Any teacher can tell if a student hasn't practiced or put forth a good effort. Sometimes, you do have to let them know you know, but you try to do so gently. Read More

Instruments: Piano

Everything about my teaching stems from a love of music and imparting that love into the students I am working with. Piano lessons should be about the student (at any level) forming a healthy relationship with the piano. As such, my mission is to create musicians that perform with Honesty and Clarity. Clarity forms all the "technical" aspects of making music at piano, while Honesty is about getting in touch with how we are personally developing as musicians and how we can be mentally present with the music we are creating--and not trying to be anyone else besides are true selves. Read More