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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Westfield . 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 Guitar Saxophone Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Recorder Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar
From there, we can build upon these foundations and explore more advanced concepts and techniques. I believe it is important to not only teach the technical aspect of drumming, but also the musicality and artistry that go into creating drum beats and rhythms. I encourage my students to listen to a wide range of music and try to incorporate different styles and influences into their playing. One of the things I love most about teaching drums is seeing my students progress and discover their own unique voice as drummers. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Trombone
Sharing music with my students is my greatest passion. I have been playing music since I was nine years old. Music has provided me with many valuable lessons and opportunities of which I instill on my students. I am a Trombonist, Guitarist, Composer and Arranger with a BFA in Jazz Performance from the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City. Some of my experiences as a professional musician include touring Europe with the JMI World Orchestra in 2017, performing at Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theater, Dizzy's Club Coca Cola and many other venues through New York City, as well as many years of teaching, both privately and in groups. Read More
Instruments: Piano Drums Latin Percussion
From then on, depending on the student's interest, I'll teach them how to play a very simple groove, and start from there. Sooner or later I definitely will focus on the hands technique which is essential not only to improve as a drummer, but also to make sure not to get hurt with unnecesary body tension. I always try to keep the lesson fun and engaging no matter the topic discussed. Read More
Instruments: Piano
For beginning students who are children, I always start with fundamentals in music thoery, then are then applied to the first exercises (Beyer and Czerny) and beginner-level pieces. Once the young student is ready, I will discuss about his or her personal taste, and find solo pieces that are suitable for the level acquired, but also enjoyable. For adult students, I usually discuss about the level and goal they would like to reach. 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 Guitar Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Accordion Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Fiddle Double Bass Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I like the student to pick their area of interest of musical genre.From there, we develop the style in accordance to the students desire.Chord theory,structure, soloing are all part of the training.Students pick the songs and we take it from there.While method books are available, most are boring examples of how to attain artistry. In our lessons, I use proven individual methods that will enhance the students ability to achieve. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Latin Percussion Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
The most important thing is that the student should be having fun, because music is fun! There is work involved, but at the end of the day, music should bring a smile to your face and if you are not having fun with music, then I am not doing my job. It is extremely important to me that the student grows, not only in technical ability, but in their love and enjoyment of music as well. Read More
Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet
If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
My music degree, on paper, says "B.A. in Music from Bard College." Bard is a fairly small liberal arts college with a wide offering of studies with a somewhat limited offering of degree titles. If I could change my degree to reflect more accurately what I studied, it would probably say something like 'B.A. in saxophone performance and composition with a concentration in Jazz.' The reason I walked away from Bard with the vague "B.A. in Music" was because I knew I had to study music and I knew it couldn't be at a music school. I have other areas of academic interests that would have languished at a New School or a Berklee College of Music where one's only serious focus is on music. I credit my ability to write and speak clearly, as well as to communicate effectively with others, to my time at Bard. I also credit my saxophone playing and general musicianship to my time at Bard.
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Without question, my favorite style of music to play is Jazz. Jazz is heavily improvised, as everyone knows, but it is hardly random. There are certain strictures and conventions that most jazz musicians abide by to a certain extent, and in this way it is similar to classical music. But it differs in that the jazz musician is successful when originality and creativity has been achieved, not perfection. To admit perfection would be to deny the years and years of expanding improvisational possibilities that we all know are still before us as jazz musicians. Those years of learning and improvement to come make us hungry and make jazz a truly sustainable, life long art form.
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
My first instrument was actually the piano, so my second instrument, the saxophone, is what I actually consider to be my main instrument. But I took piano lessons for 8 years, so I certainly have some piano skills as well. The reason I chose to learn clarinet and most recently the flute (still a work in progress) is, frankly, to be a more versatile, marketable, woodwind player. The reality is that in this day and age, those wind players who can double, triple, quadruple, etc. get more gigs. I consider myself like that I actually love the timber of the flute and clarinet (especially bass clarinet), so learning them isn't just a job requirement but is also of personal interest to me.
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
Like a lot of major life decisions, I think I had all the motivation and daydreaming to decide to become a professional musician well before I actually decided to. Even as a sophomore in high school, I knew that nothing excited me the way that learning jazz saxophone did. Not english, history, politics, track, or basketball—all things a truly enjoyed. But even by the time I was applying for colleges I thought I would go in as a literature major and add a major in music if I thought I could handle it. But by the end of my freshman year in college, I knew I would graduate as a music major. I'd say my title as 'professional musician' is a consequence of my need to play music in life, and the resulting lack of preparation of making a living some other way.
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 Westfield to students of all ages and abilities.
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