Music Lessons in Woodbury, NJ

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

My name is Joseph. I am a professional performer/teacher located in Hopewell New Jersey county of Mercer. I began studying music at the age of 9. I took up the accordion, then graduated to the console organ and eventually on to the piano/keyboard. I am very much hands on when it comes to teaching. I started at a very early age of 9. I studied privately with a variety of teachers including Doctor Steve Russo who was a well noted instructor in my hometown of New Jersey Hopewell I truly stress these piano techniques with my students. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I prefer a multifaceted approach with the goal of encouraging simultaneous development of the core areas of drumming (ex. reading, coordination development, fundamentals, etc). While also striving to provide the student with inspiration, enjoyment, creativity and intellectual musical growth. A general lesson framework would be similar to the following: Fundamentals/warm ups, Technique, Repertoire Development, Drum Set Chart Reading, Basic Notation Reading, Trading 4s, 8s and More, Ear Training, Discussion Preferred Beginner Texts: The Drum Set Musician- by Rod Morgenstein/Rick Mattingly The Drummers Cookbook- by John Pickering/Frank Briggs Alfred’s Drum Method Book 1- by Sandy Feldstein/Dave Black Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I start each student with the Frances Clark Series. This is terrific in introducing all musical components to the learner. It starts off right away using ALL the notes on the piano. Black notes are used exclusively in some repertoire. Each building block is built upon the next and it just nicely adds , in a non-threatening way to what the student has learned before. I intersperse these books with other more seasonal books and the student and I build on that. Read More

Instruments: Voice

For all of my students, I typically start with teaching (for more advanced students at least reviewing) the fundamentals of breathing for singing. From there I move on to phonation: how to produce a healthy sound, in coordination with and supported by the breath. After the student has begun to grasp these fundamentals, I begin to introduce solo repertoire based on the where the student is developmentally and their goals. Read More

Instruments: Voice

For beginners and young children, I generally demonstrate and have them practice breathing and certain terminology before we begin singing. Once we begin singing, I use the keyboard and have them practice matching pitch. We then do warm ups, and I teach them a couple phrases that will help with pronunciation and shaping their mouths to make certain sounds. For everyone, after we go over our usual warm ups, I like to find out their actual style and taste in music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginner students, I usually start off with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once they start to progress. I will move them on to some songs / tab books by their favorite artist. For Intermediate students, I will move them to Guitar Fretboard Workbook by Hal Leonard, as well as Arpeggios for the Modern Guitarist, and a signature Lick book. Once they started to become Advance. I will start them on something by Ear Training using online methods as well as, A Modern Method for Guitar by Berklee Press for Sight Reading. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

When teaching both voice and piano I find music literacy vital. In younger students first developing aural skills, I like to sing and repeat tonal and rhythmic patterns. I also give handout assignments to learn notes on the staff. With older and more experienced students, I devote time in each lesson to sight reading and sight singing. I use the Adventure series books for all of my piano students, as well as outside literature. Read More