Music Lessons in Zion, IL

Instruments: Guitar Drums Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginners and intermediate drummers, I teach Hal Leonard's Drum Set Methods as well as rudiment drum pad training exercises designed to build control and confidence when stroking. Once students have learned the fundamentals and are using all four limbs to create drum patterns, I individualize my lessons for the drummer, making sure they are getting what they want out of the lessons while still staying sharp on notation, pad practice, drumming diction, etc. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

First and foremost my method of teaching are nearly based upon my own teachers teaching style, which was using a small material to teach everything on it. Example, I would take a small little line or phrase of music, I would teach them the construct of rhythm, time, tempo, the style, articulation, and then apply the exercises or fudamentals around learning how to play the line properly. For young beginners, I personally start with Standard of Excellence book to learn the basic fundamentals, and get them setup. Read More

Instruments: Voice

I teach students how to use their entire body as an instrument. I teach the arpeggio technique of keeping an open throat and diaphramtic breathing. I also teach vocal alignment and pure vowels. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Music

To me, it is important that I meet each student exactly where they are at. Each student is unique and no two paths will be the same, so my instruction varies from student to student. Typically with the younger students, I do like to incorporate a lot of games, challenges, and rewards to help them find their motivation. For my older students, I encourage them by setting realistic goals and acknowledging their accomplishments, no matter how small. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style is very specialized. As a guitar teacher, I started teaching group classes as a volunteer when I was a teenager. Eventually I started teaching guitar to fellow classmates. At this point I was already playing guitar for seven years. In my late teens I began to teach at a few highly regarded music shoppes in Chicago. Soon after, I was a faculty member at the world famous OldTown School of Folk Music teaching beginner and intermediate group classes and advanced classical guitar and chord chemistry classes as well. Read More

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

I started playing guitar when I was 13. My parents couldn't afford lessons so I had to teach myself how to play. It wasn't a train wreck, but it wasn't pretty either! After a few years of trial and error I finally had my first guitar lesson and realized I was doing everything wrong! After that, I trained hard, unlearned many bad habits, and became a more complete guitar player. I also found out how much I loved music and wanted to make it my career! Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

For classical double bass, I do stick to a number of method books depending on the level of the student. (Progressive Repetoire - George Vance, Yorke Etudes, Bottessini Etudes, and Simandl). In addition to technique excersizes and etudes, my students will also focus of solo works and orchestral excerpts. Jazz bassist will also focus on technique and some classical study. Even as a jazz bassist, it is important to learn how to use the bow and perform with excellent intonation and tone. Read More