Piano Lessons in El Granada, CA

Instruments: Piano

My name is David Herscowitz, and I've been playing the piano since 1985 and teaching since 2005. I grew up in Los Angeles and moved to Oakland in 2012. I attended the Alexander Hamilton High School Academy of Music in Los Angeles and received my BA in Music from U.C. Santa Barbara. Making music (especially with other musicians) is my favorite thing to do, and teaching others the gift of music comes in a close second! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I approach teaching in a way that encourages students to learn at a pace that's comfortable for them. Since the lessons are one -on-one, there is no need to keep up with a herd like you're in school. So I try to give a healthy balance of goals that are attainable only if the student practices and reviewing material from the past to see what has been retained while also showing how certain musical material is not like riding a bike... you will forget without some upkeep. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

I customize lessons plans for each student based on their learning goals and style of learning so it is different for each student. However, I typically use Faber's Piano Adventures for kids and Alfred's Adult All in One lesson books for adults. I also teach theory with scales and technique with Fingerpower, Czerny, and Hanon. Once I know what the student is interested in, I customize the songs and make sure they love the songs I'm teaching and they are having fun. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Double Bass

 I enjoy teaching and feel I can be a great fit for reverb lessons! thank you. I have been teaching piano, guitar, bass and music production from my house studio in Berkeley for over 5 years now. I currently teach from my graduate studio at Cal State University East Bay.  I also have taught for groups for a former organization called Music Camp Rocks in Pleasanton, California. In music camp rocks we taught kids to work together in a band and perform songs. at the end of their session they would perform on stage. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I like to emphasize learning technique through pieces, rather than practicing only technique on its own, as that can get boring very quickly! For beginning students, I like to start with the Piano Adventures series, which has pieces which are easy, teach basic techniques, but also are musically interesting. Once they have the fundamentals, we can begin working on solo repertoire that interests the student. For older students who are interested in 20th century music, I like to teach Bartok's Mikrokosmos. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

Stiffness is the enemy of piano playing and it can also cause harm to tendons, ligaments, etc.... I always give exercises to illustrate the different "touches" (finger dexterity, legato, staccato, singing-tone, octaves, etc...) used in playing the piano. It is also very important to have a good sense of musical style - baroque, classical, romantic, modern, etc... I focus on being as true as possible in honoring what I believe to be the wishes of the composer. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

I started teaching my Sophomore Year while studying music in college and have loved it ever since. I enjoy finding out how my teaching methods can fit with one's personality and watching people grow throughout the years. I have kept students consistently for 2 years and each student is different and unique. Some of my students are doing certificate programs like ABRSM, while others are singing and playing piano simultaneously. Some of my students learn by ear and others are sight readers. Read More