Piano Lessons in Long Beach, NY

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Flute Clarinet Ukulele Oboe Bassoon English Horn Keyboard

For beginning piano students, I enjoy the Faber Piano Adventures. As the student progresses, I guage what their interests/goals are, and choose repertoire according to their interests. For beginning oboe and woodwind students, I focus on a myriad of things that have nothing (and everything) to do with actual music: how to form a correct embouchure, correct hand and finger position, double and single reed care, instrument construction and maintenance, and finally, sound production. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Flute Piccolo

Daily Exercises - Taffanel and Gaubert Method Trevor Wye - Practice Book for the Flute Vol. 1-6 Suzuki Flute Method Andersen - Technical Etude Studies Standard Solo Repertoire (Bach Sonatas, Mozart Concertos, Flute Music by French Composers, 20th Century Music) Flute Duets Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Djembe

For about 5 years I taught at a program called "Be Natural Music" where all of the students were children and teens. We put together kid rock bands and had them play shows a few times a year at local venues and festivals. I was the resident drum teacher for that program until my very recent move to New York. In my time there I helped the program expand into a new bigger store front and almost doubled their clientele. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My method of teaching will both implement teaching students how to sight read but also more importantly how to play music by ear. I am very big on learning by ear because it is the way I learned music most of my life. For younger students I do want them to start learning how to sight read at a basic level because it will make it easier for them in the long run. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Ukulele

My teaching style is to move comfortably and systematically: I introduce a concept, the student attempts it, I offer corrections if needed and lots of affirmation. I also make adjustments according to the student's learning style. It's important to me to convey how and why things work--*why* are we playing these chords, *what colors* do these particular notes add, etc.--so that the student can eventually go on to play their favorite songs with greater appreciation, and if they are interested in songwriting, eventually write their own songs more effectively. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle Music

In 2009 I began performing original material with the Austin based electric instrumental band Brainworm, which appeared at the SXSW music festival in 08, and also released the live LP Its Sucking My Will to Live. In 2009, I traveled to Colombia where he formed the Benjamin S. Quartet, which featured some of the finest musicians in that country and was showcased at the at first annual Festival de Jazz in Barranca, Colombia. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

On piano, for beginner students, I often start them on some of the primer level method books, either from the Faber and Faber "Piano Adventures" series or the Alfred beginning piano series and then transition to having the students learn music they want to learn and are excited about playing. I often will make custom transcriptions/arrangements of songs my students like that are especially designed for their skill level. Read More