Clayton S
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Latin, Funk, Electronic, Salsa, Spirituals, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Punk
Clayton S
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Gospel, Latin, Funk, Electronic, Salsa, Spirituals, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, Samba, Bossa Nova, Soul, Punk
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 7-80
Bachelor of Art University of Minnesota Twin Cities and Three semesters Berklee College of Music
Listed in the Whose Who of Teachers for the years 2002 and 2003 Co-Produced top 10 Billboard hit in Latin Tropical music named "Cuanto Duele" Recorded guitar and bass for top 30 Billboard hit in Latin Tropical music Bachata version of "Nothing's Gonna Change My Love for you" Lead guitarist and band director for international recording artist 'Domenic Marte'. Has played in Argentina, Spain, Italy, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Switzerland, and most of the continental U.S.A
I started piano lessons at the age of 7 (I am now 45) and have never started being involved in music in one way or another ever since. It is both my passion and my career. My passion for music means that I am always learning more about it and working to improve. My career in music has led me on travels around the world; I have played in Rome, Switzerland, Spain, Ecuador, Argentina, and all over the USA. I have also done arrangements for hit songs on the radio. I always say I grew up on Classic Rock, but now I study anything and everything that is pleasing to my ear!
I have been a career educator since 1998, when I began teaching in a high school and founded a music program. I am sure I have taught literally thousands of students. I have prepared students to go on study music at the college level. Now I have my own private school and am working with Musika. I take a lot of inspiration from the teachers that I have had over the course of my own life and at times find it important to study with great masters of the musical arts! I teach students of all ages and abilities.
I try to tailor my lessons almost like a Doctor sees a patient. Every student is different, I do think it is important to learn to read music. I love music theory and I emphasize learning to love practicing technique. With my beginner piano students I generally use a Hal Leonard series book, but supplement it with a book of piano exercises. With my guitar students it depends on their age and experience, I use a Hal Leonard method book for youngsters and then begin teaching them songs they identify that they really want to learn.
For humor, creativity, and fun are a big part of how I teach. At the same time I am serious about being disciplined in regular practice. I try to find out what my students are passionate about and use that as motivation. One thing I do compared to my past teachers is use technology. Frankly this technology did not exist when I was young! I often "sample" musical phrases and have them play on a loop. I then have my students play along until they are perfectly in time and in tune with the loop. I am big on repetition! YouTube and other sites online are helpful and I encourage my students to use them, but I offer strong opinions on how to use them, because oftentimes lessons that you just find on the internet are not very good.
Check out our A+
Rating from the Better Business Bureau
100% Risk-Free Trial Lesson
If you are not satisfied after your trial lesson, you will not be charged and we can match you with another teacher.