Music Lessons in Alameda, CA

Instruments: Voice

I encourage all of my students to choose songs that they want to sing to ensure that they are enjoying what they are learning. For children and beginners, it is important that the fundamentals are in place, therefore I tend to spend more time on musicianship skills and music theory. For more advanced students it is important to understand how their unique instrument works, therefore I like to approach technique through pedagogy. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion

He has also studied voice with Jane Sharp and piano with Ellen Wasserman.  Jake has been teaching music since 2001. He was Music Program Director at Mission Hills Middle School, in Union City, for 3 years. He was also the guitar and percussion teacher at St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Oakland. Jake has also been a music instructor with COVA, Art and Soul Music Studios, Hayward Music Center and ALMA. Over the years he has performed with musicians such as Josh Jones, Michael Aaberg, Dayna Stephens, Ambrose Akinmusere, Jonathan Finlayson, Geoff Brennan, and Ray Brown. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I like to focus on the music with a relaxed approach and help create a positive and supportive environment with apatient, easy going manner. I'm comfortable going over small sections of music, looking at new material, exercises, practicing songs, explaining concepts that help the student gain insight and improve on the guitar. For assessment purposes I like toask a few questions pertaining to the music, styles and particular artists that the student has an interest in to shape a individual lesson with custom material.I believe inemphasizing musicianship and practical aspects of learning guitar while realizing that aspirations, inspiration and individual creativity are so important.Music lessons areenjoyable! Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

When teaching piano I always start with this question: "Why are you taking piano lessons?". The answer is very important to me because it gives me an idea of how to approach the lessons. There are many different reasons for taking lessons and both student and teacher need to be clear on what purpose the lessons will serve. No matter the level I will always focus on playing in a relaxed and natural manner. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I design my lessons with the specific student goals in mind.For Beginner students: we will start by exploring rhythm concepts and understanding how to read music. Learning the physics of the guitar and exploring the notes in the first few positions. Learning open position chords, and simple chords progressions, major and pentatonic scales,etc.For Intermediate students: we will continue expanding our knowledge of the higher positions of the guitar, as well as develop better sight-reading skills. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

I use beginning guitar books such as Hal Leonard that show the basic layout of the guitar and are an introduction to reading. Also chord books, books on scales, jazz methods, fake books, classical books and such. I like to teach my own style,being creative and going beyond basics. I teach the student how to hold and place their hands properly on the guitar. How to develop a nice light touch and get a real nice sound. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Organ

My experience dates back to when I was excepted into OSA High school, where I auditioned into the school for saxophone and piano officially graduating in 2008. I started working as a music instructor at the age of 14 for the East Oakland Youth Development Center (E.o.y.d.c), summer cultural enrichment program (S.C.E.P.),  teaching classes for students from the age of 6 to 18 about music theory, history, instrument technique, and how to play an assorted of instruments. Read More