Piano Lessons in Silver Creek Valley, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always say that rhythm is more important than the notes. Play the right rhythm and the notes will come instead of playing every right note while sacrificing rhythm. I encourage students to make their mistakes loud, proud, and in rhythm so everyone has a better idea of what needs to be worked on most. I also emphasize isolating parts to practice and working backwards. Example: play the last two bars of the song until comfortable with it, now play the last 4 bars, last 6, last 8...etc., whole song. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

My teaching style is very adaptive to the abilities and interest of each student. I always try to keep my students motivated and positive because it is very important to be upbeat to learn music. From beginners to professional players, every musician needs passion to excel in the field and I encourage that by keeping my lessons very interactive and interesting. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion

Jake has been playing guitar and percussion for over 20 years. He teaches all levels of guitar and congas, as well as beginning piano, voice and drum set. He went to Berkeley High School where he played guitar in the BHS Jazz Ensemble. He then attended the New School in New York City, majoring in jazz guitar studies. He has studied jazz guitar with Steve Erquiaga, Dave Creamer and Jack Wilkins, and congas with Josh Jones, Sandy Perez and other Cuban percussionists. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Accordion Music Keyboard

For beginning piano students who are children, I usually start with Faber Piano Adventure books. Depending on the individual child, often times I introduce creativity, improvisation, performance repertoire for upcoming recitals or other performance venues in which they gain added knowledge and valuable experiences in life of piano music. For adult beginners, most seem to enjoy Alfred All-in-One piano method. When teaching advanced piano students, I work with them on repertoire of their choosing and my suggestions. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My students are provided with a solid musical and technical foundation that allows them to feel comfortable in any of the countless musical contexts they will encounter as they embark on a life-long musical journey! Most piano methods books are "C and G-centric," causing students to learn to only feel comfortable playing on the white keys and then become either terrified or bewildered any time there is more than one sharp or flat in the key signature. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginning students, I choose Alfred's Basic Piano Library and Faber Piano Adventures, and other brands/materials that fits the need of the student. I often made teaching materials myself, as well as writing music for my students. The most important thing for beginners are keeping interest and correct postures. Starting from songs the student recognize usually helps. For advance students, I usually recommend repertoire covering all 4 classical periods, plus etudes and finger trainings. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Synthesizer Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

For children just beginning their instrument, I teach finger placement and note location on the piano by using a color coding system to use in learning a song from John Thompson's Easy Piano Course. From there i introduce songs that interest them and develop sheet music comprehension, rhythm, finger technique and harmony development at a pace comfortable for your child. For older students, I ask them what their interests in music are. Read More