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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Independence . 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
I love seeing students succeed and developing a love for music! Each student learns and progresses at different paces, so it is important to me to set realistic goals based on the individual. Encouraging and acknowledging their success is very essential to helping the student progress and desire to learn more. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice
My biggest focus with my students is building confidence! I strive to always be encouraging. I believe that we are capable of accomplishing much more when we believe that we can do it! One of the most important building blocks of confidence is consistent practice. I will make sure my students leave their lessons with a plan for the coming week’s practice. I will do my best to make sure this practice is both purposeful and enjoyable. Read More
Instruments: Piano
Each of my days begins and ends with music, and I'm always excited to share my passion with anyone. While attending University of Illinois, I was a part of the Illini Mentoring Program for 2 years, where I worked alongside at-risk youth in an after-school volunteer organization to foster one-on-one relationships, promote learning, and have fun with the mentees. I truly loves performing music live for others, and while at U of I was part of various groups through the college such as the UI Latin Jazz Band (led by Tito Carrillo) and the Black Chorus (led by Dr. Read More
Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Clarinet
I have been teaching lessons since High School. Back then, I mostly taught beginner students on the Piano. Since College, I have expanded my teaching repertoir to include Piano, Organ, Violin, and Viola. For the past 7 years, I have been teaching and instructing my students on the best practices as blossoming musicians. Nothing can make you a better musician than practice and consistency. No matter what genre of music you are interested in, you must practice.There will always be times were you have toforce yourself to practice (because it won't always be fun), but the gains are never dull.It has been my experience that those students who apply themselves diligently, love to play the songs that they have mastered over and over again. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice
The method book I begin younger students on is Piano Adventures by Faber and Faber. There are 5 Level books to complete. We use the lesson book, as well as the technique book. I also supplement with solo repertoire and various materials. For the older beginner, I use Alfred's Basic Adult All-In-One Course, as well as supplemental solo repertoire. Music theory is essential in my studio, and I use various learning tools to teach theory. iPad apps, worksheets, games and manipulatives are a few examples. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Flute Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
Hey there, I'm Sky! I play a lot of instruments, compose scores for TV and games, make beats, produce other people's stuff - if music is involved, I tend to be involved. I've studied with a number of phenomenal teachers in the classical, jazz, and eclectic performance and producing world and my students regularly excel in competitions, ensembles, auditions, and creating/producing their own music! Somewhere along the line, it became obvious that my life is only complete when Im making music. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Organ Ukulele Recorder Keyboard Djembe
For beginner's, I do typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements books. For intermediate, I'll evaluate what materials they've used thus far in their lessons and go from there. If someone is familiar with a set of books in a positive way, there's no reason to change the books they're using. I do believe, however, there is profit in a variety of repertoire, so a diverse lesson is key. I have learned from experience that simply learning one genre (classical, jazz, showtunes) is less desirable than having a familiar ear to multiple styles. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Double Bass
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
The bass is a very challenging instrument physically. It takes a lot of physical strength and stamina just to get through a song. This fact can lead to an unhealthy focus on the technical and mechanical aspects of playing the instrument, sometimes at the expense of musicality. It seems to me that bassists should aspire to the same levels of artistry as singers or other instrumentalists, which requires both a high level of technique and also an awareness that this technique is in service of musicality and not the goal in and of itself. This can be an especially hard balance to strike on the bass.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
The local high school music teacher Steve McNeal was very encouraging when I was 12 or 13 and just starting to play bass. He would let me stay after summer orchestra sessions to study privately with him and practice double bass (since my family couldn't afford one at the time). Before I realized it I was learning to read music and starting to get a handle on the instrument. His optimism and enthusiasm were inspiring and he let music be fun, which I still think it is, and I am grateful for that.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I started playing bass guitar and double bass at the same time, in the summer between 6th and 7th grade.
I had learned a bit on the guitar, due to my father being a professional jazz guitarist, but didn't start practicing seriously until I took up the bass. Something clicked for me and I began practicing 6-8 hours a day (which I still do when I get the chance!). I think I loved the physicality of the bass--it takes your whole upper body just to play certain notes on the upright bass--and the fundamental role it plays in so many kinds of music. Whether playing in a chamber orchestra or in a metal band or a jazz ensemble, it always felt not like the bass was the captain of the ship, but definitely steering it:)
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I am very proud of some of the records I have made or played on. I still love the feeling of seeing and hearing for the first time a new release that I have played on and/or written music for. That some of these recording have positively impacted lives is the best part of it, especially when I think about how much certain records have meant to me at times.
I am also proud of being able to share and communicate through music with so many different people in so many different places. Music really is universal to the human experience, and it is giving me countless amazing experiences.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
I believe that exposing children to a wide variety of music is important, both for their mental and cultural development. But I do not children should be made to study music or take music lessons unless or until they are excited about it on their own. This can create a negative attitude towards making music that can be hard to get past even as adults. I believe that music is a wonderful way to enrich a child's life and help them grow as human beings, which is why I think playing music should only be encouraged if a child is excited about doing it.
When will I start to see results?
I tend of think of results in music philosophically. Music is a lifelong practice in which there is always room to grow and more to learn. I have been fortunate to play with many world class musicians, and the one thing they all have in common is the ongoing pursuit of developing further as musicians. So results can mean different things depending on one's perspective. With my own practice, it seems that I often don't notice that I've gotten something difficult in my brain or under my fingers, because by the time work in one area starts to pay off I'm already on to another focus. Consistent, focused practice, is both the method and the reward.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Practicing should be both meditative and fun! Try to practice in a quiet place if possible, and stop in between songs or exercises and listen to the silence (or if it's not silent then focus on the birds, cars, other "non-musical" sounds you hear). This clears your ears and your mind.
It's important as well that you remember to think not just about the mechanics of what you're practicing in terms of playing your instrument, but try to really listen to how it sounds, and try to make everything--whether it's a scale or a bass line or a Charlie Parker solo--sound musically satisfying by itself.
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 Independence to students of all ages and abilities.
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