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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 Saxophone Clarinet Oboe English Horn
I believe every student is different and therefore demands a different instruction style. Some students need a lot of encouragement and some students need more of a push. I also believe students need musical ideas to be presented to them in different ways. Some students need a visual explanation, some auditory, and some kinesthetic. Through my training to become a music educator at Missouri State University, I gained experience in several different types of students and I am confident I can help a large variety of students. 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: Piano Violin Fiddle
I am a professional and passionate violinist, pipa performer, composer, music theorist, and Chinese music scholar who loves teaching and performing. In 2018, I graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with both a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Composition and a Master of Music degree in Music Theory. Besides performing as a soloist, I love collaborating with professional musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds. I also enjoy collaborating with visual artists, dancers, and actors. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice
I have more than 20 years of experience teaching music, beginning after I obtained my Bachelors degree. In addition to teaching music performance, I can also teach music history and theory, solfeggio, ear training, and rhythmic training. While attending conservatory I was invited to join the Novosibirsk State Opera, where I sang as an opera soloist for eight years. With my opera company I travelled to Germany, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia for performances. Read More
Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Clarinet
It is important to me that each of my students learns to love their instrument. But, even more than the love of their instrument, is the importance of knowing and understanding one's instrument. I offer positive reinforcement, encouraging my student in realistic goals. I acknowledge accomplishments that help fuel mystudent's desires to progress. However, I do not hide from the fact that pursuing music is a discipline. A well structured and commited practice time offers the best benefits. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
At 17, I was 100% sure that's what I wanted for my life. Music was always a big thing for me since I started playing, it was never ups and downs. Since I made the decision to become a pro musician, I never looked back.
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
Playing different instruments is a very good thing! It opens up your eyes to how other players think and that skill can be very helpful when you produce music or play in a band or recording - so you don't step on anybody's toes. It can be also great for songwritting. Sometimes playing an instrument that's not your main will give you music ideas you wouldn't have by writing on your main instruments. However, always keep your focus on your main!
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
I enjoy playing many different music genres. Not just because I had to since I have always been a session musician and hired gun for tours, but because I like different things. I believe that learning different styles of music only adds to your playing and vocabulary. Obviously, you shouldn't have to learn things you hate. But when you learn something from a certain genre and understand the "behind the scenes" of what you learned, then you are able to apply that knowledge on anything you play - that is a great way to sound "fresh" and not have ideas that sound like everyone else's.
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I have my own method of teaching, but I do have an extensive music library and use material from various books depending on what I'm teaching in addition to my own material.
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
Going through each item on your list of things you need to work on. Not skipping any item there. Using a metronome, slowing songs down to play them correctly until you are able to play them at original tempo, working on songwritting assignments, etc
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
Discipline and patience to overcome certain steps that take a long time to master, such as: barre chords, improvising, learning a lot of different scales and knowing how to use them properly, techniques (like arpeggios, tapping, slide, etc), learning music theory and knowing how to use it, etc
Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
Yes. I've had students that became major artists, music producers and hired gun musicians. The way people succeed is different for everybody. You need to know what you want from music and follow that path. Make sure your teacher is giving you things you are interested in.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
My main inspiration to start playing guitar was Eric Clapton. I've had teachers that inspired me to play and other that didn't. It's very important to find a teacher who inspired you and gives you things you want to learn, instead of teaching on auto pilot. A teacher that inspired me a lot during college was guitarist Joe Stump.
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
Many musical awards and nominations for albums I recorded over the years, being a member of the Recording Academy (Grammys), having recorded/mixed and released my own albums as an artist, playing shows all over the world, having some of my students become major artists/music producers/ hired gun musicians.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Practicing effectively is not really about how many hours you put into your practice, but mostly about focused practice. What that means is going through the list of things you need to work on and tackling every item there. Somedays you'll feel like working on something more than other days, and that's ok. As long as you go through your list ideally daily, you will make progress quickly. It doesn't have to be daily, but obviously the more you practice, the better. 30 min a day, maybe less or more if you can do that, but the idea of hours and hours is not correct. It all depends also on what you are learning and what level of playing you desire.
When will I start to see results?
Everyone is different, meaning we all learn at different paces. But usually doesn't take long for you to start playing chord progressions (and songs that have basic chord progressions), single note riffs, basic strums and/or fingerstyle, etc
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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