714-582-3981
Musika Quick Stats
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
- Have questions? Check out our
- FAQ
- CONTACT US
-
![call-icon]()
714-582-3981
Lesson Special - Up to 20% OFF! Get Started Now with a Risk-Free Trial!
Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Lake Forest . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Piano Guitar
Depending on the level the student is at I will work with them where they are at and what is needed. If a beginning student I will usually start off with working on scales and use visual tools such as books to help aid the process. I will usually get the student to play or perform some sort of song no matter how simple it is, maybe even get them to make up their own song based off of what they learned. Read More
Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet
Functional Piano: This is a GREAT method of learning to play the piano without having to take years of formal piano lessons. If you just want to play your favorite melodies and harmonies then " functional piano." is for you. This is an EXCELLENT approach for eitherAdults/ Laymen/novie vocalist/songwrithers/instrumentalist who either want to explore and or create new harmonies and melodies. Topics include 1) Basic chord identification by sound. 2) Understanding chord symbols. 3) How to intrepret a lead sheet. 4) Basic diatonic concepts. 5) Modification of a chord progression. 6) Exchanging chords of similar functions. 7) Voice leading techniques. Read More
Instruments: Piano Drums Organ Synthesizer Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Djembe
I am a professional musician with 15 years of experience, performing at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Studio 54 and all around the world. As an educator, I've taught K-12 for the last seven years, focusing on modern band instruments like guitar, bass, drums and keyboard. My curriculum at school is inspired by School of Rock, the movie, and focuses on teaching students the instrumetns and music of the modern rock band. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
My experience learning music by ear, theory, intuition, and sheet music on many different instruments has given me a strong background to adapt to the needs of any student. So, regardless of skill level, I like to discuss any songs, artists, and styles that the student might be drawn to. Whether the student wants to focus on sheet music like Alfred Music or Hal Leonard, theory lessons and exercises, or develop their intuition and ear, I'm excited to cater the lesson plan to you. Read More
Instruments: Piano
I began piano study at the age of 5 and began teaching privately at a young age. I have taught piano and been staff accompanist at Chatham College in Pittsburgh, Pa. and Fairmont State University in Fairmont, W.Va. I am a member of: Music Teachers Association of California, Music Teachers' National Association, National Guild of Piano Teachers, American Guild of Organists, AFM, Local 47. She is a founding teacher for the Carnegie Hall Royal Conservatory: The Achievement Program. I adjudicate for MTAC, MTNA, NGPT, SYMF and other California festivals and competitions. I present lecture/recitals on women composers and their music at a variety of conferences throughout the United States and had the privilege of premiering the First Piano Sonata by Nancy Van de Vate at the 2001 Amalfi Music Festival in Italy. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Saxophone Drums Mallet Percussion
I know that music is about developing a vocabulary. Developing the ability to construct music without the need for a teacher is the direction I like to go in. A good teacher will only guide the student not dictate to them. Having an interest in many styles of music allows me the chance to be more open to teaching the beauty of writing a simple 3 chord progression or orchestrating for a full orchestra. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
At 17, I was 100% sure that's what I wanted for my life. Music was always a big thing for me since I started playing, it was never ups and downs. Since I made the decision to become a pro musician, I never looked back.
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
Playing different instruments is a very good thing! It opens up your eyes to how other players think and that skill can be very helpful when you produce music or play in a band or recording - so you don't step on anybody's toes. It can be also great for songwritting. Sometimes playing an instrument that's not your main will give you music ideas you wouldn't have by writing on your main instruments. However, always keep your focus on your main!
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
I enjoy playing many different music genres. Not just because I had to since I have always been a session musician and hired gun for tours, but because I like different things. I believe that learning different styles of music only adds to your playing and vocabulary. Obviously, you shouldn't have to learn things you hate. But when you learn something from a certain genre and understand the "behind the scenes" of what you learned, then you are able to apply that knowledge on anything you play - that is a great way to sound "fresh" and not have ideas that sound like everyone else's.
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I have my own method of teaching, but I do have an extensive music library and use material from various books depending on what I'm teaching in addition to my own material.
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
Going through each item on your list of things you need to work on. Not skipping any item there. Using a metronome, slowing songs down to play them correctly until you are able to play them at original tempo, working on songwritting assignments, etc
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
Discipline and patience to overcome certain steps that take a long time to master, such as: barre chords, improvising, learning a lot of different scales and knowing how to use them properly, techniques (like arpeggios, tapping, slide, etc), learning music theory and knowing how to use it, etc
Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
Yes. I've had students that became major artists, music producers and hired gun musicians. The way people succeed is different for everybody. You need to know what you want from music and follow that path. Make sure your teacher is giving you things you are interested in.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
My main inspiration to start playing guitar was Eric Clapton. I've had teachers that inspired me to play and other that didn't. It's very important to find a teacher who inspired you and gives you things you want to learn, instead of teaching on auto pilot. A teacher that inspired me a lot during college was guitarist Joe Stump.
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
Many musical awards and nominations for albums I recorded over the years, being a member of the Recording Academy (Grammys), having recorded/mixed and released my own albums as an artist, playing shows all over the world, having some of my students become major artists/music producers/ hired gun musicians.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Practicing effectively is not really about how many hours you put into your practice, but mostly about focused practice. What that means is going through the list of things you need to work on and tackling every item there. Somedays you'll feel like working on something more than other days, and that's ok. As long as you go through your list ideally daily, you will make progress quickly. It doesn't have to be daily, but obviously the more you practice, the better. 30 min a day, maybe less or more if you can do that, but the idea of hours and hours is not correct. It all depends also on what you are learning and what level of playing you desire.
When will I start to see results?
Everyone is different, meaning we all learn at different paces. But usually doesn't take long for you to start playing chord progressions (and songs that have basic chord progressions), single note riffs, basic strums and/or fingerstyle, etc
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Piano lessons in Lake Forest to students of all ages and abilities.
We'll then reach out to the teachers for you.
Schedule the risk-free trial lesson directly with the teacher.
Continue with that teacher or try someone else.
