Piano Lessons in Denny Blaine, WA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Recorder Double Bass Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have been a performing and teaching professional for over 25 years and released over 20 albums with many different artists. Since I was in my early twenties, I have performed throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and Central America. I bring my experience to the lesson room through a thorough and varied approach to harmony, technique, sight-reading, improvisation and performance techniques. Acoustic and electric bass are my primary instruments, but I teach to advanced level on guitar and ukulele, beginning piano, and in multiple genres of music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Synthesizer Music Keyboard

When I teach teenagers or adults I usually start with Alred’s Basic Adult Piano Course Book, as well as a music theory book that is suited to the student. I like Alfred’s series for the young beginner as well, but have also used the Bastien series. For voice students I use a warm up book and a sight singing book. My students keep a music notebook of the week’s assignments in which I also make music theory notes and explanations. Read More

Instruments: Piano

  I can teach for precision to support the student’s goal of strictly solo performance, and I can teach for more of an open model in which the student eventually creates original music or wants to play in a band.   Is playing the synthesizer a goal for the student? If so, I would like to consider having split lessons after some basic piano theory and application are acquired. I have played a couple of different acoustic instruments over my music career, and this has assisted my synth skills to transfer seamlessly to band situations in which brass and strings were needed but the talent or skill was not readily available—a synth musician can step right in and deliver the right mix that is needed! Read More

Instruments: Piano

I started to teach piano when I was in college, so I know how to communicate to students and parents, choose the right pieces, and tell them how to practice at home. In addition, I encourage students to perform and attend competitions to gain confidence and experience. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

My teaching experience dates back to high school, when I began giving private violin and piano lessons part time 8 years ago. Since that time I've continued to teach in the Puyallup area as well as in Bellingham and Mt Vernon. Ive used many teaching models over the years on students of all ages from very diverse backgrounds. I did most of this through trial and error; learning that very young children do best with short structured and repetative lessons, while teenagers can benefit more from targeted lessons that switch focus every week, and what to do when a student struggles because of stress in their home. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

My teaching style is very much tailored to what each of my individual student’s needs. This is the glory of private lessons! We can take our time. I like to give my students a mix of my required repertoire and songs that they have passions for. This keeps me restocking and updating my library, and helps the kids to have more fun in their lessons. Sometimes doing something fun that we love can take away from the stress that learning the language of music can be. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Mandolin Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle

I use Samuel Applebaum's String Builderbooks 1 and 2 as my beginning texts and his Scales for Strings, Early Etudes, and First Position Etudes (especially for viola) before moving into First Etudes by Whistler/Hummel for violin and then the Wohlfahrt/Aiquoni Foundation Studies, books 1 and 2, Mazas, and advanced etudes such as Kreutzer and Campagnoli for both violin and viola. Beginners useConcertTunesbooks 1 and 2 by Dale Brubaker for first (immediate) solosthat reinforce note reading and other instruction. Read More