Piano Lessons in Upper Saddle River, NJ

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Recorder

I use what some have called the target approach. With this method you are working on one concept at a time, and you should always have one concept in mind while you practice. Some examples of beginning concepts are 1) keeping a steady beat, 2) sound quality, or 3) smooth finger technique. In one practice session using the target approach you may spend 10 minutes on target 1) and 15 minutes on target 2). What is important, however, is that you continue to work on a target every day until you find yourself performing that single concept flawlessly and effortlessly. Read More

Instruments: Piano Music

Jonathans early studies through high school were with New York, classical and jazz pianist, Kathleen Landis. Jonathan has performed at Steinway Hall, the Juilliard School and the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. He recorded his first CD at age 14 which included Mozart, Gershwin, Chopin, Grieg and Khachaturian. Jonathan particularly loves the works of Alexander Scriabin and has performed for the Scriabin Society of America. He enjoys teaching piano to all ages and playing for private events. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Orchestral Percussion

I began my relationship with much when I starting playing drums at age 7. I played in percussion in school bands for a few years then I found the drum set. I found discipline and independence through the drum set, and soon started learning guitar and piano. I attended Berklee College of Music for Contemporary Writing & Production, with a focus in Drumset performance. While at Berklee, I played drumset/percussion in musical theater productions for other Boston colleges (Boston Conservatory, Emerson) and played with local bands in the Boston area. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Music Keyboard

For absolute beginner students of any age, we begin outside of a book as the best way to learn is from personal experience. With wind players for example, we work on breathing, posture, and hand position as these three components help students produce a quality sound in as comfortable of a way as possible. Moving into more formal studies, I used the Standard of Excellence series for young children and the Rubank series for more intermediate students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Bass Guitar Double Bass Classical Guitar

For piano beginning students who are children I typically start with Alfred Piano Method books and for guitar students will start with Mel Bay Guitar Level I .I work in dual teaching techniques Theory and performance .Student has to be familiar with reading the music notes to be able to play them on the instrument .Once the student has progress to have a grasp of the fundamentals in music theory and performance I will begin preparing them for their recitals and later on competitions . Read More

Instruments: Piano Music Keyboard

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce a 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 fun, no matter their ability level. Read More