Piano Lessons in Hilltop Mall, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice

My teaching experience started about 10 years ago when I was in Guitar Center looking at keyboards and someone asked me for lessons... I still have that student and many more now and have a very high retention rate and am an upbeat, positive teacher that students enjoy coming back to. The fact that I also play live gigs about 4 nights a week gives my students a chance to see me play live and get inspired, something that is really necessary to keep a student motivated for years. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

I am passionate when it comes to music and I believe it is an essential part of life. Students should have some form of music in there life because of the positive effects it has on the mental state. I have played trumpet for twelve years, during this time I have played in several ensembles such as; ACSI Honor Band, ACSI Honor Orchestra, University of the Pacific Concert Band, U.O.P's Pep Band etc. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Clarinet

With my teachings, each student will experience a voice that will rarely get tired, won't sound hoarse and will stay healthy their whole lives. I am also a major proponent of learning music theory. All of my voice and piano students learn basic theory under my tutelage through the Keith Snell piano theory series. When I teach my students, I typically begin them on classical training. We start off learning Italian art songs, but will always have their favourite pop tune in the mix to show them how classical technique can make them a better pop singer. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone

For beginners, I start with a mixture of the Suzuki method and the Essential Elements book. I find that combining ear training while simultaneously developing the ability to read music only accelerates the learning process. Teaching adults of any level are all about assessing interests and goals. I find out where the interest in creativity lies in every individual and work on developing that so the lessons remain fun and fulfilling. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

Smiley has studied piano since the age of 5 and has been fortunate to study with the Carl Wheeler the musician who wrote and played for Tony Toni tone, as well as Beyonce and high profile headliners. Smiley has played for celebrity singers including Carlos Santana, comedian Tommy Davidson, as well as John Witherspoon. He a Degree in music from the University of Berklee, and has taught piano and voice since 2005. he enjoys working with people and uses his patience and perceptiveness to communicate music to others. Read More

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

I always say that rhythm is more important than the notes. Play the right rhythm and the notes will come instead of playing every right note while sacrificing rhythm. I encourage students to make their mistakes loud, proud, and in rhythm so everyone has a better idea of what needs to be worked on most. I also emphasize isolating parts to practice and working backwards. Example: play the last two bars of the song until comfortable with it, now play the last 4 bars, last 6, last 8...etc., whole song. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Conga Latin Percussion

For beginning guitar I start out with Chris Parkening: classical guitar book...learning finguring styles, rudiments, and notes. We then go into various techniques and develop song repetoire and chording and strumming styles. For beginning piano I start with level one Hal Leonard book for beg. piano and various beginning classical composers: Beethoven, Mozart, Tchakovisky, Jazz, etc. . I split this class into musicianship-learning notes and reading music, fingering and scales, and theory. Read More