Piano Lessons in Danville, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

All of my lessons are built around songs to teach technique and I add materials to teach theory and musicianship if the student wants and needs it. I always interview each student to find out their interests and desires and and build a custom curriculum eight lessons at a time to insure satisfaction and success on the students terms. I have student assessments at the end of each eight lessons block to make sure that the student knows how they have improved and where they need more work. Read More

Instruments: Piano Ukulele Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I'd say my teaching style is first tailored to each individual student- their learning style, their genre interest, and their goals. Some student respond to more traditional classical structure, and some respond to improvisation as a way of learning musical concepts. What's exciting is finding out which style each student has, and always come back to the joy keeps them motivated. While I am flexible in this regard, I do have specific practice assignments and repetition exercises that are the work of learning an instrument. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo Music

My teaching career began at age 18. I started with only two students, and have since grown to teaching at three studios with 23 students across all studios. My main focus with all of my students is to expose them to all that music can offer them. Not only is music scientifically proven to improve brain function (it literally makes you smarter), it also promotes important qualities in young students; being an instrumentalist helps you learn responsibility (taking care of an instrument), discipline (daily practice), and perseverance (continuing to play despite mistakes). Read More

Instruments: Piano

I began instructing young adults in harmony, theory and piano when I was nineteen in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. After high school, I began putting my poetry to music and this led to a move to California to try and make it as a songwriter. I played with several music acts in the Bay Area, toured the east coast and Midwest, and wrote music for the theater, notably an original score for Bertolt Brecht's Caucasian Chalk Circle. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Organ

For beginner students who are pursing music on the tonal instruments, I typically start with learning the names of the notes on the instrument and the major scale in every key as it relates to the piano. For the bass guitar I start of with basic finger strength techniques and exercises while incorporating the major scale fingering form and Nashville numbering system for all tonal instruments. For voice, I start off by finding the range of the individual and then teaching warmup techniques while building the individuals technique through finding a song and learning how to sing along.  Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Drums Ukulele Recorder Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

The key ingredient to learning is interest. I believe that my students need to have an interest in what they are playing so that they can keep their minds and spirits engaged. Rudiments require attention and practice, but there is much more to learning an instrument than just technique; passion also needs nurturing. If a student is really in to Star Wars, for example, I will gladly incorporate the 'Imperial March' into their rudimentary studies. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Organ Synthesizer

Teaching has been a constant for me since college (around 2005). I helped tutor both aural theory and written theory, and also helped with beginner piano classes. Later on, I taught at the East Bay Jazz Workshop and offered private lessons part time both at my home studio and at Young World pre-school. I've taught students of all ages and skill levels for many years and also can provide some experience at arranging, theory, and improvisation. Read More