Piano Lessons in Madison, CA

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

Instruments: Piano Bass Guitar

My experience as a musician goes back to when I tinkered around on an organ as a young child, then continued when I started formal piano lessons. As an adult, I have performed on bass guitar in two bands and participated on an ongoing basis in church worship bands, which involves learning a new set of songs for every service. During college, I began as a music major and received further training on piano as well as took three semesters of music theory courses. Read More

Instruments: Piano Music Keyboard

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

I find that when teaching just reading a book and rote playing isn't enough. I like to use scales, singing, and creative composition to get my students to think outside of the box and learn to independently create music while learning theory basics. I like to help my students be one of a kind and be in love with the music that they are creating...if they don't look forward to coming to class again, then I know I haven't done my job fully. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching Guitar and Piano during college as a way to expand my playing and teaching skills. Over the years I gained extensive knowledge of teaching techniques and how to work with students at all levels, ages, backgrounds, and understanding of theoretical music application. I handle my students with care, respect, and motivate them through positive reinforcement of their milestones while learning. Moreover, I have taught guitar and piano to over 200 students in the last decade - many have pursued careers in music, and some have even surpassed my accomplishments. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Trumpet Fiddle French Horn Electric Guitar

For beginning students, I try to figure out what if any familiarity with the instrument or connected genres the student already has and plan to orient lessons around that. If they're absolute beginners with no specific interests yet, as is often the case with children, I focus on teaching fundamentals of the instrument's technique, music theory relevant to reading sheet music and understanding scales, keys, and time signatures. If it seems like it would help I'd move on to the Suzuki method or at least to simple songs and etudes. Read More