Piano Lessons in Charter Oak, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice

I think it's important for students to learn interpretation and musicality as much as technique, regardless of their instrument. For piano, I typically start with Hannon's piano exercises, and then move on to repertoire which highlights specific technical challenges, such as crossed hands or mixed meter. In the repertoire is where I also make sure to talk about common interpretation practices, as well as techniques for how to characterize a piece of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

As a teacher I am patient and considerate. My first priority with beginner students is developing correct posture and relaxed position of hands. This is of most importance since it is difficult to change posture later on and bad posture can affect not only the quality of musical performance, but the health of the student as well. I teach reading music from the very start; thus, as soon as a child can read the letters and numbers, he or she is ready to start reading music too. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My teaching career began when I was in high school. My primary goal at the time was to gain experience in teaching and with it, brought much trial and error. I honed my expertise in music and teaching, while learning about the countless way in which a student learns. I submitted a proposal to present in Texas and was selected to present my lecture on "Teaching Methods", and gained much insight into the learning process of students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Saxophone Flute Clarinet Oboe English Horn Acoustic Guitar

Music is experienced ears-first, and that's how I prefer to teach. I certainly teach everyone to read music if they don't already know how, but I really like to help people hear the music they want to make. This is done through listening assignments, playing with my students during lessons, some music memorization, and singing. I also incorporate a lot of improvisation games to get students making sounds pressure-free and help them access their inner expressive voice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For beginning students, I focus on building a solid foundation of vocal technique (including: breath, resonance, posture, register, and diction). We build this foundation through singing pieces that the student is familiar with and lots of vocal exercises. At the same time, I like to introduce basic music theory concepts. I typically start with Alfred's Basic Piano Prep Course Theory. Upon grasping and understanding fundamentals, I will begin to introduce repertoire from different styles of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

For beginner piano students I use Alfred's books, which has different beginner levels for different ages. At first I perform my first lesson, where I decide which beginner book will much with the student, then I recommend an appropriate book for them. I also don't mind at all another company of books if they prefer so. For beginner violin students I recommend String builder or Essential elements books. They both are good skill building books. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

My Methods: Fundamentals of breath work - incorporating several physical exercises and methods of showing the coordination until it is ingrained Focus on the use of the resonators - projecting the sound to the different cavities where sound resonates before leaving your body and into the room (i.e. 'the mask', mouth resonance, chest resonance, etc) Reducing tongue tension - a common issue is root of the tongue tension and I have several exercises to address this Improving range - most of my students gain notes in their belt range and their head range, and often in their low range as well Increasing the legato vocal line - here we focus on linking the vowels properly supported by the breath Jaw tension - similar to tongue we have evercises for this Style - different approaches such as riffing, back phrasing, using a glottal attack, using a breathy attack - creating colorful expressive phrases that link to the emotion of the song and the style desired Musicality - learning to read music, counting tempo, sustaining pitch, syncopation, dynamics, etc Diction - correct vowel shapes and enunciation + awareness of when tension closes down the vocal line if diction is carried over from speaking habits Performance - using tools from acting training to perform a song effectively and believably Career consultation - when appropriate, also offered Read More