Guitar Lessons in Portland, OR

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Harmonica Ukulele Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz. This piece of music is one of the most popular programmatic pieces due to it's wild story about the artist. I love how it has been brassy sections in the march and dances as well as singing motives in the ball dances.

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I have an Music Degree in Music Education. This means I learned how to teach others how to play instruments, even ones that aren't the trombone. I chose this degree because I wanted to share the ability to create music with others rather than expect others to listen to my music. Music expresses emotions that are beyond words and pictures, and no one should be restricted from that expression.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I chose the trombone in fourth grade because I thought it was a funny looking instrument and was simple because it did't have any valves or keys. I also chose it because I love how beautifully it can be played, almost like it was singing. On the other hand, it is a lot of fun to play it loud and booming, like in Star Wars' Imperial March.

When will I start to see results?
When learning music, set a goal with many steps in between. This way you can track your own progress. You could make this goal a one-year goal or a weekend goal, the important part is staying committed to the steps it takes to get there. Another option would be to record yourself playing your instrument the day you set your goal and to record yourself throughout the time period and once the goal has been achieved. The trick here is to not listen to the recordings until you are all done.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Any student is able to start lessons. If you are concerned that they are unable to start lessons, sit in on the lesson(s) with them. Some students need their parent to be their while they transition to learning something new with a new teacher. Any student of any age can learn anything, so long as they have the tools given to them and someone to guide them.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Make practicing enjoyable. Make a clear schedule or set of goals for your practicing. This could be a two-month goal leading up to a concert or just a 30-minute goal for daily practice. Then write down steps on how to achieve that goal on a sheet of paper. Once you have a good list of steps, try adding in additional steps in between. This way, you take more steps to achieve a goal, but each step is a little easier. If these steps become boring and you feel like practicing is becoming boring or feels like a chore, set your instrument down and take a short five-minute break. It is good to stay positive while practicing. Keeping yourself in check with your list to achieve your goal will help you practice effectively.

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