Piano Lessons in Brookfield, MA

Instruments: Piano

I am a compassionate, steady teacher. I believe in positive reinforcement paired with goals that students can be proud of meeting. I have high standards for my students in order that they progress, but at the same time I am understanding and kind in my style. Every lesson I give has clear instruction and at the end I outline a clear expectation for the next lesson. For example, what music needs to be practiced and what specific skills need to be focused on that week. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Every student is different, so the first thing I like to do is get to know them as a musician, where they are on their instrument, and what they wish to accomplish in lessons. I want to keep the student comfortable with what they are working on and at the same time find ways to go beyond the comfort zone. I like to incorporate music fundamentals with all of my students, including notation, scales, chords, and rhythms. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For young beginner students, I use either Faber and Faber's Piano Adventures or Bastien Piano Basics. I also supplement these methods with level-appropriate materials from my private library. For adult students, lessons are tailored to meet the student's interests and purpose. Lesson times are learning times, but I try to make the process fun, with time for creativity and music games. Students are also encouraged to bring in music that they want to learn, which gives me additional opportunies to teach each student how to practice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

My teaching method is based primarily on helping my students develop the skills needed to understand the language of music so that then they can create performances that are compelling and fulfilling to both the audience and themselves. I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, and prefer to tailor my methods to the needs and goals of the student. For beginning piano students I tend to gravitate towards Faber's Piano Adventures to help us work and develop the fundamental skills. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Music Keyboard

Methods will be by case to case basis. Children with be asked to purchase the John Thomson Piano Book series as we first dive into reading music notation, learn our Keys, and begin basic music history. If parents are interested I suggest learning alongside children to help with weekly practice. Adults will be depending on resources and goals - What makes you want to take lessons? - Who and what inspired you to do it -What genre are you looking to play *Classical Music ( My expertise) is a lot of fun but can be very demanding, I will not introduce this material unless requested* Read More

Instruments: Piano

My students love the Faber Faber "Adventures in Music". These method books, in my opinion, have some of the most innovative and motivating pieces. This method gives the student a solid foundation in theory focusing on scales, and used in concert with other materials bring the student to a very proficient level. I also use supplementary materials such as Dozen A Day, Hanon, and Czerny. Martha Mier books for young children, especially her "Imagine" books are unique and inspiring. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My musical background is eclectic. Most of my training is in music composition and theory; I graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Master's of Music degree in Composition, and from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Theory. I regard composition as my primary musical skill. However, I've agressively sought to master a large amount of piano music over the course of about twenty years, and my technique has subsequently advanced to a high level. Read More