301-859-4887
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Rockville . 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 Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion
Hello! My name is Donovan, and I am an instructor who specializes in ear training and technique. Originally being a self-taught musician, I began with piano and harmonica, then eventually branched out to guitar, bass, banjo, among several others. I have ran sound equipment from an early age as well, learning how to set rigs for full bands and how to mix and master tracks for recording purposes. I have met and played with many famous and unfamous musicians, and find that the highest amount of talent is undiscovered and uncultivated. Read More
Instruments: Piano Cello Double Bass Keyboard
My teaching style revolves around the interest of the student combined with my overall experience with one ultimate goal being that the student will develop the tools to teach themselves along the way. I like to use relevant recordings to play along with as well as simply recording the student and playing it back during the lesson. I will keep a written log of our progress and will have it available for the student as a reference as well as encouraging them to do the same. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice
Michael's approach to voice training is grounded in physiological and developmentally appropriate techniques. While this does not necessarily preclude any particular style of music, he believes very strongly that vocal health and well-being should take precedence in one's study of singing and that it is good for students to gain a diverse musical experience. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar
I have been teaching music for about five years now. As soon as I started teaching myself music theory concepts and sharing them with my friends, I knew that teaching was something that I wanted to do for the rest of my life! Music means a lot to me as I'm sure it does to you. I love being able to time travel through different emotions and sounds, and the guitar has allowed me to do that! Read More
Instruments: Piano
When I teach, I adapt to the student's learning style. Every student have a unique way of learning and I really enjoy the challenge of finding the student's learning style! I always make piano lessons fun while encouraging students to improve and challenge themselves. I guide my students through every step and help them overcome any obstacle in the music. I want to show students that anything is possible through hardwork and persistence. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
For beginning piano students, I use a combination of books from Alfred's, Faber, John Thompson's. At the same time, I emphasize proper finger technique, shape, and position. For more advanced piano students I prefer exercises from Hanon, Czerny, and Bartk. For beginning guitar students, I prefer Mel Bay books. However, for guitar students I also use a much more individual and custom approach for learning how to get a good sound out of the guitar through proper hand position, finger placement and pressure, and string picking. Read More
Instruments: Piano Trumpet
Fundamentals are so important and always addressed first. Things like finding the best sound possible and physically setting yourself up to play in the most efficient way are the most important at every ability level. If you study trumpet with me, you will work on breathing, finding your most beautiful sound, and basics like scales and long tones. These steps are needed to have the fun and growth that playing an instrument brings. Read More
Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Double Bass Piccolo Oboe Bassoon Music Keyboard
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
I was in high school when I first became a professional musician and it was a defining moment because it forever changed the trajectory of my life. Now I can never imagine living a life without it.
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I enjoy the sounds of other instruments. and It's interesting to experiment with varied sound patterns.
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
There's not too many that are into music, but my father did tell me a couple of times that he use to play bass guitar with Bootsie Collins.
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I would probably work as a scientist for NASA or some sort of engineer.
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
I really enjoy Avant Garde because it involves a lot of out-of-the-box thinking and abstract sounds.
If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I do not have a formal degree, but I have graduated from the school of 'Hard Knock' lol...all jokes aside a lot of what I have is raw talent accompanied with my unconditional love for music.
What is your dream piece to perform and why?
We'll I've performed my dream piece (Giant Steps) ten times over and sometimes I still play it.
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
It looks like and sounds like a ton of listening, a series of warm-ups on long tones, formulated note patterns and song list for scheduled engagements and then I finish off with a series of cool down exercise with scale patterns and more long tones or this practice session may look a bit different depending upon the instrument.
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I enjoy using the Essential Band Method series, Universal Methods, Jamey Abersold Books and Charlie Parker Omni Book. These books are great at helping to lay down a solid foundational teaching and engages and encourages students to challenge themselves into achieving new heights in their performance.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
I think that mastering dexterity and a really great sound can be most challenging but with lots of consistent practicing you can overcome any challenge.
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
Performing at Charm City Lights, Artscape, and Afram, as well as touring and recording with great and renowned musicians and artist like Gary Bartz, Angelo Moore, Fish Bone, and opening up for Bad Brains are just few of my greatest accomplishments!
Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
Yes most of my students received awards and accolades at the end of every school year for their achievements and rendering outstanding community service as valuable memebers of their school band program.
When will I start to see results?
It can take anywhere between 1-2 days or 30 day, maybe longer depending on the interest and commitment level of the student.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
Yes I did; there were several actually and they all inspired me in different ways. My high school music teacher and mentor helped me to build a solid foundation for my playing. He taught me the bases and prior to him there was my middle school music teacher and he taught me discipline. Others that come to mind taught me everything in between and inspired to become the talented and gifted musician that I am today, through their impartation of wisdom, mentorship, constructive criticisms, performance opportunities and encouragement.
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I love how the tenor saxophone speaks. It's smooth and clean and conveys spontaneous ideas in ways like no other. The range of the tenor hit sweet highs and savory lows. I'm able to shape and bend a sound exactly the way I hear it in my head. It suits me like a glove, a natural connection that makes all the sense in the world.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Be goal oriented when you practice. Listen to whatever it is that you are trying to master as often as you can. Have fun while you practice but focus less on what you're really good at and more on your challenging and weaker areas. Also before you practice. Make sure to get plenty of rest and eat well. Always strive to make the best of your practice time.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
They will show genuine interest by often time asking you to get them their own instrument.
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 Rockville to students of all ages and abilities.
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