Music Lessons in Alameda, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Drums Ukulele Recorder Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I learn by doing and I believe that my students should play what inspires them! If it's classical, let's study Bach and Mozart together - if it's Latin, let's study Dave Valentin and Johnny Pacheco. I have always had a broad taste in music and I think it's wonderful when students bring me songs that inspire them. Let's work the chords out together and study the greats! I believe that the engaged student will be the successful student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Music Keyboard

We then set about drawing up a practice routine, specific to that student. The practice routine is a set of 3-5 exercises taken from my library music books that will each touch on an area or skill that the student needs to work on. The routine will end with a song or piece of music for the student to read and practice. The student will practice this routine daily and the following week the student and I will sit down and play through the routine together. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I try to get my students to develop a passion for music. My style and curriculum tend to have my students progressing quickly, but attention to detail is very important to me as well as a great sound on the instrument. For me the sound is number 1, then working on time is number 2. The notes will come. I try to make realistic goals for my students. We can achieve anything as long as we put the effort in. Read More

Instruments: Bass Guitar Double Bass

For beginning students, children or adults, the first thing is to work on body position: the hands, arms, wrist and shoulder to avoid having the wrong positions of the body which could lead to physical problems in the future. Then it is important to learn the basic music skills: scales, arpeggios, basic harmony, and finger techniques. Once the students have progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals we can follow two parallel lines, studying advanced techniques and varied bass repertoire and at the same time focusing on what the student is interested in. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I have taught a number of students over the years. Some are beginners, while some are more advanced players. I currently teach in a studio carved out of my garage, using a top level electronic drum set to help keep the volume down. I began accepting students as far back as 1984, and have a regular student at the present time. I have worked with him on basic technique, the rudiments, working with and without a metronome. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginning students, we always start with how to hold the instrument, parts of the instrument and string names, and then begin playing open strings. This may take a few lessons. Placing the left hand fingers is usually the last step before playing an A scale and then Twinkle. Setting a foundation is more important than going quickly, so many of my students spend a number of months on Twinkle before starting to move more quickly with Lightly Row. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have often received complements from my students parents, thanking me for my passion in teaching and that they noticed great improvement in their childs playing. I have fun with the children but also encourage discipline, concentration, and constant effort for improvement. I like to connect with each student and try to find a way to inspire them to want to play music. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress. Read More