Music Lessons in Rectortown, VA

Instruments: Guitar Voice Keyboard

Adult students I have taught typically want to learn to do two things: 1) accompany themselves on an instrument while singing a popular song or 2) learn to play with others ... whether that be a jam session during a jazz set ... or playing behind someone else that is singing or playing a lead instrument. For these adult learners I lean toward teaching chords, arpeggios and scales. Important: I suggest that a student only practice 15 to 20 minutes a day ... whatever amount of time it takes to cover the lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Clarinet Recorder Music

Everyone learns at their own pace. I want every student to make sure they are comftable with all information each week that is being introduced to them. Music should be fun and a way to express yourself. With that being said, every student has different methods that helps them learn material and I don’t want anyone to feel discouraged if they are not understanding at the same speeds as others they may know. Read More

Instruments: Violin

For beginner students who are children, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has grasped the fundamentals, I will introduce solo repertoire suited for his or her first recital performance. I introduce etudes to the students after the student demonstrates the ability to play several simple pieces well. For intermediate and advanced students, I typically do not let them play a piece at a certain grade level until they have finished playing one piece one grade level below that. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My teaching experience dated back to my graduate-school days, when I began teaching private lessons to college-age students more than 20 years ago. I have been teaching since then to students from 3-year-old beginners to 75-year-old retirees. I founded my home studio, Joyful Keys Studio, in Gaithersburg, 13 years ago, and have been teaching consistently and passionately. Encouraging students to practice regularly and guiding students to find their musical inclinations and particular musical voices are my main teaching fortes. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

Drums: Pad , Drumset, and occassional Hand-drumming sessions. Classical Staff instruction in drums, I use a different methodology here , (Guitar being a new-age music theory approach.) Guitar: Acoustic, Acoustic-Electric, Electric, with a pick or without a pick styles. I teach tablature and diagrams and charts. I can get you through novice on into intermediate play with classical staff, but if you want to go advanced, stick with the tabs and such for the while. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Saxophone Clarinet Recorder

My teaching experience dates back to four years ago when I had completed my AA degree in Music and I had decided to volunteer teaching music to both my old secondary school (high school) and the Barbados Pathfinder Band recruit program which I was a Band member of. Those sessions involved teaching the basics of music theory, aural skills, the rudiments of their instruments and the practice of discipline in practicing and the maintenance of their instrument(s).Therefore I believe that I can combine those same methods plus the 'new' ones that I have enquired over the past two years to make our music sessions fun, motivational and educational.Thus causing you to look forward in enhancing your need for learning about your instrument and yourself, the musician. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Double Bass Mallet Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

I started out at the age of nine playing the trumpet, and continued this for two years before switching to piano. Ultimately, I found my love in playing the guitar, and took lessons for two years. As time went on, I advanced as a guitarist and actually expanded into new musical instruments. I began playing in local rock and r&b bands at the age of 15. These were some of my most influential experiences, as they expanded my musical tastes into jazz fusion, swing, standards and Latin Jazz. After graduating high school, I attended community college and then went to New York to study jazz theory, where I played a few sets with Sweetback in 2000 that led up to being asked to play with the band. Read More