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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Whittier . 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 Keyboard
I began to teach piano 3 years ago. In those three years, I have been working with a lot of young children and gain many experience in teaching piano. I have found that motivation and determination are the most important factors which help my student make progress. Therefore, I always try to figure out what my students really like to play and to learn, so that it can motivate them to practice the instrument better. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Double Bass Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Djembe
My go-to books for Drummers, beginners and advanced are 1. Advanced technique for the modern drummer by Jim Chapin and 2. Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone. No matter what you listen to, the material in these books can be applied to any style. Another tip is to learn what influenced your favorite players. I Guarantee every one of your favorite drummers has studied this book. It contains beginner techniques through the most prominent advanced skills. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Drums Recorder
I've been teaching for several years since I got out of College and it's been a rewarding experience. I love witnessing my students make progress and evolve. I love to feel and share their passion for music. I do like to have a program to ensure constant progress but I do not mind at all adapting, changing, or not following at all the program depending on the student's demands and goals. Read More
Instruments: Piano Drums
Piano : All piano students will begin by learning about scales and scale theory. This includes scales learned withing the Classical idiom as well as the Contemporary music idiom which includes all styles of music. Students regardless of their preferred style of music will be encouraged to learn some elementary classical music in order to facilitate and reinforce good technique, reading and interpretation. Drums: All drum students will begin by learning about stick control and proper posture. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Trombone Drums Synthesizer Ukulele Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar
At our first lesson, we will dive into what YOU want to learn. It's my job as a teacher to facilitate a creative and challenging learning environment, but it's up to you, the student, to make the time we spend together something you would like to work on. I'm confident that we can both find common ground to stand on and find some great music to explore. Beginners will always use some sort of method book, learn to read music and rhythms. Read More
Instruments: Piano
For young students I use Faber and Alfred books. As well as Famous and Fun books which have popular tunes to help keep the students motivated to practice. My older students work in the standard Hanon exercise book which helps develop agility and evenness in the hands and fingers. I also teach my students all 12 Major and minor scales, arpeggios, and chord progressions. My more advanced students usually learn classical music and Jazz/Blues Rags series by Martha Mier. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I played at a religious gathering several times called Bethel Family Night, at Wallkill NY. I played, along with a small group, such tunes as Walk Don't Run, Perfidia, and Classical Gas. On another occasion i played solo fingerstyle guitar, Windy and Warm, Both Sides Now and a couple of other songs. There was over 1000 people present. One one occasion I received applause just walking on stage.
My brother Joe and I played in a small combo a few times doing Allman Brothers material, Billy Joel songs and Hollies "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" among other songs
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
My older brother Terry played guitar such as Ventures and other kinds of Surf, country and pop music. I just love the sound of the guitar, in all forms of music.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
For guitar, a child's hand size is important in order to purchase the right size instrument. For example, I had an 8-year-old student who plays a 3/4 size guitar. A young student needs an appropriate attention span as well. I adjust according to their attention span.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I did not have any teachers, our family could not afford music lessons. I learned from books and occasional visits with other players. No regular, structured lessons.
When will I start to see results?
Probably right away, but the word "results" is open to interpretation. Will you be able to slowly play a very simple song or part of a song after the first lesson? That is always my goal.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Regularity is key, even a few minutes a day is helpful. I find for myself that 3 times a week and a minimum of 2 hour is best. Playing very slowly, along with a metronome, has been very beneficial for me. As a student progress, he can increase his metronome speed to an acceptable BPM for the song.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
The left hand is the hardest for me to master. My hands are smaller so I only have a 4 fret stretch. As I play more I am noticing a small increase in my left hand stretch though.
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I ask the students what they want to learn, then try to teach them something that they can learn quickly. Then they feel a sense of accomplishment early. I progress thru an explanation of notes, intervals and chords, strumming patterns etc.
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
15-minute review of songs I know well, 30 minutes learning new chords, scales and songs, then 15 minutes writing and recording something new. I also review music theory after actual playing time.
What is your dream piece to perform and why?
There is no one particular piece but Chet Atkins songs such as Black Mountain Rag, Blue Angel, Hellacious, as well as Jerry Reed songs such as Jerry's Breakdown. Also some Tommy Emmanuel songs
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
Electronics technician or other technical work such as computer work. Technical work and music seem to go hand in hand since music has a definite foundation in physics and guitars often incorporate electronics
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Fingerstyle songs that use the right hand thumb playing a bass string accompaniment while the right hand fingers play the main melody. Classic fingerstyle guitar is very entertaining to an audience
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I do not play a second instrument but I dabble in keyboards and would like to learn violin. I dabble in keyboards mainly because it helps me to grasp music theory a little better.
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Grandparents, uncles, cousins and brothers all play. Some were touring musicians; some were recording engineers but most of us were just ones who played for ourselves or family and friends. I am presently trying to teach my 5 year old great grandson very basic music theory and simple songs on piano [3 Blind Mice]
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
After retirement, I had more time to devote to guitar. I do not gig much anymore but I hope to make a little extra money by teaching because it will keep me in the music world at some level.
25 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 Whittier to students of all ages and abilities.
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