Piano Lessons in Downey, CA

Joseph B

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Synthesizer Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
My dad plays guitar and piano. He used to play loudly on Sunday mornings to wake us up. My sisters both know how to play piano, and my brother plays piano and trumpet. My brother and I were in marching band together during high school, and we were section leaders of our respective instrument groups.

When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I suppose it was more gradual. I always loved music and being a musician, but I always was told that there is no way to make money with music. I thought about different career paths and struggled between something I love and something I can do but am not passionate about. I ultimately chose the former since I realized that life is short and should be spent doing what you love. It was the best decision I ever made.

If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
My second instrument was guitar. Besides the "cool" factor of playing a guitar, my brother received one for his birthday and never used it, so it was given to me. I struggled for a long time to learn the basics on my own, but once I got the hang of things, I loved being able to play and playing in a group. My third instrument was alto saxophone. Once again, besides being cool, my brother was in the marching band as well on trumpet, and I did not like the idea of him being my section leader, so I veered in the other direction. My fourth instrument was violin, but I am still a novice and I haven't performed on it just yet. I just loved the way it sounds and I had a friend who was a great teacher to me.

What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
My favorite style is contemporary orchestral music. I think the power behind having so many instruments is a unique feeling and sound, and I love the idea of people coming together to accomplish that. There is nothing else quite like it.

If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I would either be a scientist or an artist. They are polar opposite professions, but I enjoy both science and art almost equally, and I love learning about the universe and how it works. Art is a bit more selfish for me since I enjoy the process of creating in general and not necessarily to create something for others.

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
My degree is in media composition. I chose that path because I love listening to film and game scores that draw you in and give you chills. It adds so much to the story and visuals, and I knew I wanted that to be my career. However, I also love helping others get to their goals in music which is why I love teaching.

What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my performance with my high school marching band at the Hollywood Bowl. I don't think I grasped what a huge deal it was at the time, but I constantly talk about it and I still have the performer badge they gave me. To know I shared a venue with John Williams and the like is incredibly awesome.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
I find sight reading to be the most challenging thing for piano because of how many notes can be played at the same time at a quick tempo. It takes a lot of time and dedication to be able to accomplish that.

When will I start to see results?
Everyone is different, but I would say you should notice a difference in skill by the end of the first month. Practice is essential to see any change.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I have always loved the way piano sounds and how versatile it is. I may be biased because my father and siblings can all play, and I grew up with access to a piano. It is undeniably the most popular and the best instrument to start with because you can see the relationship between the notes like a map.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Something is better than nothing! Sit down and play for 30 minutes or an hour every day, even if you're not practicing a specific piece. You are training your muscle memory to be comfortable with your instrument.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
If your child is easily distracted or gets frustrated easily, it might be too early. It is also imperative that they know the alphabet and numbers as music uses these constantly.

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