Piano Lessons in Sunnyvale, CA

Instruments: Piano

I like to use supplementary materials if a method book isn't covering musical territory that the student wants to explore. Although I insist a student learn to read music, I encourage learning by ear and have helped students find a melody on the piano by ear rather than reading notes. Patience is my watchword but I will always encourage and document practice times. I tell the student, you can't achieve your music goals without practice, preferably every day. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Music Keyboard

The first lesson is always a trial lesson, in it I attempt to access where the student is musically. I also use the time to find out what the student's musical goals are . We look at things like reading, theory, dexterity on the instrument. If the student plays a wind instrument we look at things like embouchure and breathing. Once I have gotten a good idea as to the student's skill level and have spoken to the student about their musical goals and interests. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

I have taught piano privately since I was a teenager and taught in both the private and the university setting. My main goal is to make sure my students love playing and learning piano. I use a combination of both classical and popular music to get my students excited about music and customize my teaching to best fit each unique student. I also have 2-3 recitals a year (currently digital or outdoors) and other performance opportunities and help my students with performance exams such as RCM and ABRSM. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always say that rhythm is more important than the notes. Play the right rhythm and the notes will come instead of playing every right note while sacrificing rhythm. I encourage students to make their mistakes loud, proud, and in rhythm so everyone has a better idea of what needs to be worked on most. I also emphasize isolating parts to practice and working backwards. Example: play the last two bars of the song until comfortable with it, now play the last 4 bars, last 6, last 8...etc., whole song. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

For Voice: I always start with basic exercises. Breathing, Scales, Etc. After a few lessons, when the student is solidified in basic techniques, I will begin to introduce basic Art Song repertoire and work with the student to branch them out into their desired field of study, whether that be Opera, Pop, Musical Theater, Rock, etc. I always feel a strong base in Classical Technique is important to start with though. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I can accompany the student with the guitar or piano. For beginners in piano, I will typically begin with the Faber workbook. If they have their own workbook that they would like to work from, I will work with that. I teach Circle of Fifths as an early tool to cultivate an understanding of harmonic language, and make it as simple and easy as possible, until the basics become engrained. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Clarinet

With my teachings, each student will experience a voice that will rarely get tired, won't sound hoarse and will stay healthy their whole lives. I am also a major proponent of learning music theory. All of my voice and piano students learn basic theory under my tutelage through the Keith Snell piano theory series. When I teach my students, I typically begin them on classical training. We start off learning Italian art songs, but will always have their favourite pop tune in the mix to show them how classical technique can make them a better pop singer. Read More