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24 Years
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in NYC, New York . 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
I administer exams to all my students which include the subjects of scales, chords, terms, theory and repertoire performance. Once a certain level is achieved I tend to diverge from method books and more towards individual larger-scale works. I like to give my students a solid classical foundation first, upon which thereafter I am open to exploring other styles of music including jazz, blues, gospel and popular music. I encourage my students to participate in recitals, competitions and to compose their own music. Read More
Instruments: Piano Synthesizer Keyboard
For beginning students who are children I typically start with a book. We can pair that with playing different musical games and improvisation. For beginning adults I like to pick some simple songs that resonate and work towards learning them. I believe strongly in the diversity of the student. I realize that not everyone likes books. In addition to the building blocks I typically like to get right into learning by ear and improvisation with most students. Read More
Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Recorder Keyboard
I'm just starting out pursuing teaching as a professional. During my undergraduate degree, I gave some piano lessons to a next door neighbor, and also also tutored my professor's daughter in music theory. Those moments were crucial for developing what I want to be doing: infusing music lessons with music theory and composition. I feel that learning to play music becomes an entire new experience when one understands the theory behind what they are playing and and furthermore is excited about generating their own material. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard
For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Music Tree and Basien beginning piano. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and enjoyable, no matter their ability level. Read More
Instruments: Piano
I follow no particular method, although I try to inculcate a fluid technique. I have been greatly influenced by Gyorgy Sandor's ideas (author of On PIano Playing and a former teacher at the Juilliard School), but have evolved my own approach. I have found that a student's motivation and commitment are more important than the methods used. Consequently, I modify my "curriculum" to suit their individual personalities and talents. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice
For the last 5 years, I have enjoyed growing with my voice and piano students. I delight in working with a wide range of students, from beginners to advanced and professional singers. My goal is to discover the true instrument inside of the student, and empower them to use it however they choose. Innovative teaching techniques are my go-to, including movement and acting work. However, I place a strong emphasis on musicianship for beginners to take ownership of their craft. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Ukulele Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
Seeing the successes of my students as they strive to be a better player.
Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
One student went on to American Idol for auditioning.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
Piano playing with both hands and reading music. For guitar, finger strength and coordination.
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I am a fan of the Alfred piano series for both adults and children. They are easy on the eye, easy to understand and demonstrate new techniques through music pieces and repetition. They strive to ensure early success in a student and make the new information much easier to understand through playing.
For beginner guitar students, I prefer the Hal Leonard Books 1 through 3. They cover note reading, chord construction, strum patterns, finger style picking, barre chords and even power chords. I am also glad that tablature is introduced.
When will I start to see results?
The more often you practice, the sooner you will see improvement.
If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
Performance.
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
Counseling people with daily struggles using tools, such as music, art and writing.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
My first piano teacher.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I love the sound and feel of the piano keys and I love the sound feel of the guitar strings, as well.
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Blues and jazz are my favorites, with classical running a close third. Expressive and fun...telling a story through music.
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
Decided to learn guitar in order to play wherever I went.
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Music runs in my family, but not in my immediate family. Grandparents and ancestors before them.
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
There was no exact time for this decision. It is a part of who I am.
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
15-20 minutes daily, playing a piece multiple times and repeating difficult passages to reinforce muscle memory.
What is your dream piece to perform and why?
Claire de Lune....most difficult and most beautifully expressive.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
A child is better able to learn piano more quickly if they can read and differentiate between left and right hands. Also, if they can read numbers and assign them to their appropriate fingers. Of course, a child who expresses an interest in playing the piano can be of any age since there is no black and white for every student.
Children who are interested in the guitar need to be strong enough to hold the instrument (using the proper size guitar). They need to know their alphabet, A-G.
Voice students should be over the age of 8.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Effective practicing includes daily playing for between 15 and 30 minutes at a time. A time slot set aside for practicing is a big help in keeping a student on track and moving forward with their skills. Daily scale playing (for piano and guitar), along with Hanon exercises (or equivalent) is a must. Voice students need to practice good breathing morning and evening.
Repetitive playing of difficult parts of a piece is very important to reinforce the muscle memory and hone one's skills.
There should not be interruptions of any kind, phones especially, since since this practice time is essential to
24 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 NYC, New York to students of all ages and abilities.
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