Piano Lessons in Derby, CT

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar

My approach to teaching varies in accordance with a students playing level and needs. With beginners and young students, experience has taught me that it is best to get someone playing actual music as soon as possible, usually in the first lesson. It is just as well to have a student begin by learning a simple riff from a song that they like, as to make them learn some hokey melody from a one size fits all how-to book.Going forward, I continue to work with a new player on music that they would like to play, while simultaneously covering music theory, and technical information, as they relate to the choice of repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba

For beginning students just starting out method books like "Hal Leonard's Essential Elements" is very popular and useful or other similar method books that public schools use. In addition to working from the popular school method books and any band music I will assign different things for my students to work on to keep our lessons fun and engaging. Each student will receive instruction from me that will inspire them to practice and want to learn more and get better. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Piano Voice

Growing up with both Suzuki books and Hal Leonard Essential Elements books, those are what I prefer to use. Essential Elements, especially for string players, offers an incredible foundation for beginners. One thing I really love about those books is the use of scales from the start. As a college musician, you quickly learn the importance of scales. I place a high priority on scale practice as it is the foundation of all we play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice

All students come with different strengths and weaknesses so I decided what needs to be done after hearing them. Basic technique is very important to consistently sing in any style. A singer must have stable, and consistent breathing as well as proper vocal balance. I have a substantial number of excursuses to begin training these aspects with a singer at any level. I structure the first part of a lesson as technical work and the second half as repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Synthesizer Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Keyboard

I teach in a firm, thorough style, and prefer to emphasize the importance of basic body position and movements through both technical exercises and the repertoire of piano pieces. Reading music is another ability I believe is essential and I always teach this skill to students of any age. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My goal as a teacher is to instill a passion for music and encourage each student to become their personal best. I find that it is important to get to know each student's goals so that we can work towards them as a team. I am constantly pushing my students forward, but I make sure to take the time and remind them where they came from. It is easy to get caught up in how far one still has to go to reach their dreams, but I find that if students remember how much progress they have already made, it really helps to motivate them! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Synthesizer Keyboard

Laying the foundation in order to learn the keyboard we will have to go to a step by step process covering the fundamentals. Key Signatures Major/ Minor Solfege Roman Numeral/Numbering System Scale Formula Major/Minor Song Formatting/Arrangements The purpose and plan of teaching how to play the keyboard is to give basic comprehension of D.A.W and arrangements of composing music electronically and acoustically. Lessons plan is based on building blocks each workshop building on what previously student learned. Read More