Piano Lessons in Knights Landing, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice

I try to find a balance between being laid-back and offering my students enough structure so that they can develop at an appropriate pace. While encouraging my students to find ways to express themselves, I also try to be realistic with them about the importance of musicianship and technique. Empathy is the most important thing for me, as I try to help and nurture my students to explore their own musical talents. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I started learning piano when I was 6 years old in my hometown Sendai, Japan. By the time of my graduation from the primary school, my first piano teacher asked me if I am willing to taking piano lessons in order to enter a conservator of music. If so, she would introduce her piano teacher who was a renowned pianist to me. After 3 months of testing period, I could become her student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Accordion Mandolin Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

Music is emotional art and I like to explain it how it easy if you know basic knowledge. For me it's important making good progress in small think of student work. These new small developments are required to be accomplished during my lessons. My style is more practice then explaining. I try to show emotion in music rather than just playing simple notes. My style of teaching is not directly one ways for all students,I have to change it always when I can see that some are wrong,or don't works well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

For beginners children, I like to start with a primer book. Either through the suzuki method or piano adventures. Also, there are instances where I find simple pieces from different composers, put them together into a booklet and start teaching through those while having the student write music theory in a music notebook. For beginner adults, I think its best to start with things they're interested in playing. I know that adults gravitate towards music because they would like to play some of their favorite songs and through that I teach them music, both theory and practice.  Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet

Playing piano is my greatest reward in life, being able to bring a smile to a face of any age. After graduating from Cal Poly with a concentration in performance and theory, I was musical director of The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville theater. I was able to broaden my horizons performing, teaching, composing and arranging all different styles of music.and can even play piano upside down now! I was also music director of a local Christian church which has enabled me to become proficient in sacred/praise music as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trombone

I believe lessons should be fun and engaging. I believe the most improvement in a student comes from practice time, so my goal as a teacher is to show the student how to practice most effectively by applying what they learned in their lessons in their practice sessions. If it is all right with them, we can record the lesson so they can go back and watch. As a teacher, I believe it is important to be positive and supporting, giving constructive criticism guide the student to play better while also boosting the student's confidence. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Organ Synthesizer Keyboard

If you’ve tried and failed, or even if you’ve never touched a piano, Smiley can teach you. And, you’ll have fun doing it because with my easy approach to learning, you will start playing the songs you like from day one, not practicing endless scales all the time, and boring music language that would be difficult to understand the first day. With my easy learning how to play approach, you would lean your first song and be able to play it, over and over until you learn a new song to share. Read More