Music Lessons in Los Angeles, CA

Instruments: Piano

I organized regular student recitals twice a year, fostering a platform for my students to showcase their talent. Through dedicated instruction, I guided my students to achieve remarkable accomplishments, including securing second place in the prestigious German Piano Competition. Currently, I have returned to the United States and provide private lessons. As a member of the Music Teachers' Association of California (MTAC), I have successfully coached numerous students to earn State Honor awards in the CM (Certificate of Merit) tests. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

My methods depends on the skill level and interest of the student. Fundamentals are key, but I always try to incorporate them with music that the student is interested in learning. I believe that music should never be boring, and practicing should never be a chore! I also believe that musicians of all skill levels can and should improvise, as it is a fundamental form of creative expression that is often overlooked by classically trained musicians. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

For beginning piano students, I start them with a variety of materials, beginning with John Thompson's piano books, along with stanzas of finger exercises to develop dexterity. But more importantly for me, is that I understand that people, especially now, want to start playing songs as soon as possible. So, I immediately teach them chords and scales. Weekly, I introduce a new one so they get comfortable and then get them used to moving from chord to chord. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

As a rule, I let the student dictate what they would like to learn and where they would like to start. From there, depending on what skill level they are already at, I will choose what aspects of formal training that would help them to best achieve their goals. With beginners, I always pay attention to how they hold and operate the instrument to ensure that they do not develop techniques and habits that could cause them physical injury or significantly hinder their progress down the line. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Additionally, some other books that I use with my drum set students are Syncopation by Ted Reed, The Art of Bop by John Riley, The Essence of Afro-Cuban Percussion, and The Essence of Brazillian Percussion by Ed Uribe. For more advanced students, I work on trancriptions of their favorite drummers, chart reading by playing with recordings or live musicians, improvisation over musical forms, and developing indivdual exercises for each student. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Bass Guitar

I let the student drive the lessons if they have some experience. If they like Led Zeppelin then I will find a way to use Zep licks and solos to teach them the basics of the instrument to the advanced understandings of solos. For beginner students I always start with basic chords, chromatics, and ways to warm up. I often use the CAGE system when starting with beginners so they will get the basic chords and understand how they are applied all over the neck of the guitar. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums

For piano I use a combination of the Bastien books, if you are a beginner. For more intermediate or advanced I use whatever music the student is interested in. It could be the Great American Songbook or classical music. For percussion, for beginners I use the Garwood Whaley book, Fundamentals for the Snare Drum. For drum set I use the Syncopation Book by Ted Reed and a variety of other books depending on the need. Read More