Viola Lessons Alameda County, CA

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin, Cello, Viola, Bass Guitar, Double Bass, Music, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar

I know everyone learns  at different speeds so making sure they are comfortable yet challenging is important to me.Being able to know when the student is enjoying and not making it a chore is a key to helping and encouraging a student learn. Watching them progress in their insturment is rewarding in of itself and nothing is more satisfying. As the student starts to see him or herself accomplish each lesson I like to praise, push and encourage to keep on. Read More

Instruments: Viola

I really enjoy teaching and working with people! My goal is to see each student learn at their own pace, and develop a love for music. My approach is to set realistic goals at each lesson, so that students can achieve, and have their achievements acknowledged, so they feel excited to progress and learn more. Along with basic technique, the lesson will focus on the fun and enjoyment of music, trying to learn what inspires each student, along with setting realistic challenges for each student, to work hard to get to the next level. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Violin, Viola, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, English Horn, Acoustic Guitar

I use a wide variety of methods depending on the student's current ability level, musical preferences, and goals. I'm also willing to work with a method or book that a student is currently using. Generally, my students have a varying ratio of technique/scale study to work on the foundations, an etude/short piece study to help connect musical ideas and teach expression, and a solo piece that is prepared over a long period of time, most likely for a future recital. Read More

Instruments: Violin, Viola, Electric Violin, Fiddle

For my beginning students, I start out with a mixture of my own exercises, as well as basic songs using open strings, string crossings and rhythms, before moving to songs with basic fingerwork on one string (scale plus rhythm based). I usually supplement this beginning process with Essential Elements, before intruducing the Suzuki Method Book 1, Doflein Method Book 1, and rhythmic exercises from the Kodaly method. For my intermediate students, I use a mixture of Galamian bowing technique, emphasis on etudes and position work, Suzuki method, Barbara Barber scales and rep. books, and level-appropriate classical literature, combined with solo repetoire of the student's interest/choosing. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Violin, Cello, Viola, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Recorder, Fiddle, French Horn, Piccolo, Oboe

For stringed instruments, I uses the Suzuki method for teaching the basic repertory of the instruments. This method is an ear training method in which the student plays by ear. It starts out very simple so students of all ages can learn and progress very quickly. For learning to read music I use one of the method books like "A Tune a day" or Strictly Strings which teach the fundamentals of read music and music theory. Read More