Music Lessons in Bedford, NY

Instruments: Piano

I'm a  dedicated teacher who loves to teach and help my students explore and experience different emotions and feelings through piano playing, for them to have an aesthetic sensitivity not only to music but life itself. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

The approach I take is individualized and utilizes multiple teaching methods. Every student brings unique qualities and different interests and it is my job to find a way to connect those qualities and interests to music. One thing I emphasize is continued learning. If we are working on fundamentals of piano technique I find a way to slowly introduce more concepts that will be developed later on in our lessons. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder

I am a professional multi-instrumentalist in both jazz and classical music. I have been teaching for over 45 years. I have played jazz on both coasts (and Chicago) and have performed in chamber ensembles in New York and New England, playing music from the Renaissance as well as more standard repertoire. After earning my degree in composition, which I earned while working as a musician, I fell in love with music before 1750, learned the instruments and techniques to perform it properly and got my MA. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Music Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Student Favorites (for both piano and guitar): Pop Rock, Folk partial list samples: Star Wars themes Somewhere over the Rainbow (ukulele too) We Are the Champions Mission Impossible Classical Gas Star Spangled Banner (National Anthem; Jimi Hendrix electric guitar with distortion) The Entertainer (Ragtime) Taylor Swift Series Classical and Flamenco partial list samples: Malaguena Leyenda, Albeniz Spanish Romance J.S. Bach: Air on a G String Bouree, from Lute Suite No 1, Carl Fischer Prelude from Cello Suite #1 Minuet Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring Sleepers Awake Beethoven: Fur Elise Fifth Symphony Moonlight Sonata Ode to Joy Djorak: Largo (New World Symphony) Study in Am Carcassi Hall of the Mountain King, Edvard Grieg Christmas Carols and Hymns, e.g., Silent Night, Carol of the Bells GUITARS: Classical Acoustic Steel Electric Ukelele PIANO Guitar Techniques and Skills: Posture Sight-reading Standard Notation Treble Clef; note values, dotted notes, rests, syncopation Tablature Names of Strings and names of notes of entire fretboard Open Chords vocabulary and fingering Chord Vocabulary: Minor, Major, Diminished, Augmented, 6th, Seventh, Maj7, 2nds, 9ths, Flat5, Flat9, 11th, 13th Arpeggios Octaves, Fifths, all Intervals Barred Chords (Full, Half, Two-Thirds, One-Third Bar vocabulary and Left Hand Fingering (All Keys) Cross-over fingering Finger per fret rule Finger per string rule Ladder Principle (Left Hand fingering) Positions (1-10): Strumming patterns for 2/4, , 4/4, 6/8, 9/8, 12/8 Time Signatures Fingerpicking patterns for 2/4, , 4/4, 6/8, 9/8, 12/8 Time Signatures Right Hand 3 and 4 finger simultaneous chord strike Rest strokes Free Strokes Flamenco Strumming variations Rasgueado Flat and plastic fingerpicking Harmonics, false harmonic, ping harmonics Tambora Snare sound Bongo effects String bending Left Hand damping Vibrato Tremolo Palm muting String snapping Left hand chord muting Righthand fretboard slapping percussion effects Glissando Hammer-ons, Pull-offs (Slurs) Power chords (Rock) Major, Minor, Pentatonic Scales, sharps, flats, accidentals Pizzicato Vocal accompaniment Chord progressions, deceptive cadence Improvisation Music Theory Songwriting Producing Concert/Recital Performance Presentation Skills/Mike Techniques Pro Tools Recording Software. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

My primary instrument is Clarinet but there are a lot of basic things that could be used universally across all genres and instruments. I always stress the importance of foundation on and off the instrument. In addition to understanding the assembly of the Clarinet, breathe support, and embouchure training, I encourage students to have a basic knowledge of theory as we will begin to learn notes, rhythm, and scales. Its crucial that theory and the foundation of how to play the instrument go hand in hand when learning clarinet. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Recorder

I use what some have called the target approach. With this method you are working on one concept at a time, and you should always have one concept in mind while you practice. Some examples of beginning concepts are 1) keeping a steady beat, 2) sound quality, or 3) smooth finger technique. In one practice session using the target approach you may spend 10 minutes on target 1) and 15 minutes on target 2). What is important, however, is that you continue to work on a target every day until you find yourself performing that single concept flawlessly and effortlessly. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

Robert Gilliam is a skilled musician and passionate teacher with a strong background in classical and jazz music. Holding a Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and currently pursuing a Master of Music at The Juilliard School, Robert has studied under renowned saxophonists Tim Green and Ron Blake. With experience as a performer alongside notable musicians and participation in prestigious festivals, Robert brings a wealth of knowledge and stage experience to his teaching. Read More