Music Lessons in Wood Ridge Garfield, NJ

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Accordion

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. Sometime I would bring my soprano or tenor saxophone with me and create music with a student by trying to show him how music works. Read More

Instruments: Double Bass Music

I began teaching in college 6 years ago and have helped students successfully prepare for and win ensemble auditions at the college level. For the double bass, perhaps the most athletic instrument, I know it is imperative to focus on proper posture and technique to avoid injury. This bodily awareness (rooted in years of yoga practice) is a central part of my teaching philosophy. As a composer, I encourage my students to pursue their passions by creating works for the bass that draws on what we have been learning in the studio and practicing at home. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music

I love teaching and in my 30-years-teaching experience I have had many students of various cultural backgrounds, European, Jewish, American. I am primarily an active performing musician and composer, bandleader and arranger, therefore I can help students of all levels, from very beginner to very advanced. My goal is to give a student enough foundation to have fun playing music and enjoy the sounds. I also teach reading music and music theory. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

A hybrid of traditional notation, playing by ear, basic right and left hand technique followed by custom lesson plans based on individual students' interests and artistic direction. My style is generally as relaxed or as focused as the student is ready for. Meaning that if the student is able to practice an hour or more a day that will lead to a more focused atmosphere, and if there's less time to practice then we adjust accordingly. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

Although I grew up with Hal Leonard and the Real Book (and have access to those if need be), I personally do not prefer to use any specific book in my lessons. I like my students to have a blank manuscript notebook with them at every lesson where I can write down scale shapes, chords, notes, and homework each week; this makes it easier to structure things around what they want to learn, rather than what the book wants them to learn. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I am classically trained, so my teaching methods are in line with the classical method. For all beginner students, we work on breath control and tone to start before concentrating on song repertoire. Once the student is comfortable and producing good sound, we then start to look at material suited the student's voice. I try to keep lessons fun and engaging, whilst also making sure good technique is being harnessed. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I possess excellent communication skills, that is to say, I listen well to my students before I speak. My students are free and encouraged to express their goals and they become comfortable doing so. They begin to understand that even though I am their instructor, we are working as a team and that my goals for them are directly tied to the goals they have set for themselves. I always use easy to understand and practical piano books chosen based on the student's experience, age, and goals. Read More