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25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Buffalo Grove . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar
I love to teach my students the basic tools of what it takes to be a professional musician, whether or not they are into music as a hobby or as a serious profession. I currently play drums for the hit Broadway musical (non-union version) of Rock of Ages and when I'm not on the road; I'm teaching. I’m an avid columnist for Modern Drummer Magazine and I sing/play guitar for one of Chicago's best Nirvana tributes called Smells Like Nirvana. Read More
Instruments: Piano Organ
For a lesson, George generally plays along with the student where the student plays a solo part with the teacher adding a second part. He also uses CD recordings with an instrumental part added having the student follow the recording.When teaching a piece, I will often ask the student to sight read notes and break down a composition into sections. Sometimes, I will have the student play just the treble notes, then bass, before adding the parts together. Read More
Instruments: Piano Trumpet Music Keyboard
I am an educator, composer, and instrumentalist with a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. Over the past few years I have been fortunate to share the stage with artists like Bernard Purdie (drummer for Aretha Franklin), Donny Mccaslin (Saxophonist for David Bowie), and Cassandra O'Neil (Keyboardist for Prince). While I love performing, my heart lies with composing. I work primarily as a composer for film and TV, although I regularly write music for the concert hall as well. Read More
Instruments: Piano Cello Music
I am a passionate teacher and performer based in Chicago looking to increase my private studio size. I can teach piano and cello, and I can teach students of all ages, skill levels, and goals. I am recent graduate from the DePaul School of Music where I received my Master's in cello performance. I have been playing both cello and piano for 14 years and I play both instruments at an advanced level. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Lute Music
My teaching tools are slightly different than most people. Sure, I use Textbooks and pencils but along with these materials, I use a special way trying to understand what is in my students mind and how to make the lesson interesting and easy for them to understand. I want my students to learn basic skills. That is, I want them to learn the basic skills necessary to transform their world. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice Keyboard
While instructing private voice students, I teach the functional approach to singing. This mindset allows the vocalist to focus on singing freely in all genres. I believe it is important to not only teach a wide variety of repertoire, but to also inform my students on vocal health. Along with a functional approach to the voice, I promote a safe and welcoming environment to make music in. If a student does not feel comfortable in the space they are in, then they will not perform to their fullest potential and I would not have completed my job. Read More
Instruments: Piano Violin
First, I introduce a beginner student to the world of music. I play various interesting pieces on violin and/or piano, and give the student an opportunity to reproduce sounds on the instruments themselves, sing. This is how we get to know each other better. In the beginning its important not to focus on hand placement, on holding the instrument, I do not make it important for the future technique. Read More
Instruments: Voice
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
1) Repetition, repetition, repetition. Break apart the piece into its individual components (rhythm, notes, words) and only start assembling it when each element is solidly and independently learned. Can you self-conduct the rhythms? Can you speak the rhythms on words? It's easier for the brain to process simpler tasks, and approaching the music from many different directions helps memory. 2) Distributed practicing. Practice for 15 minutes here and there throughout each day, with the intent of accomplishing a specific task or goal. If you have this kind of focus, it's easier to actually get things done, and you won't get bored and tired cramming music for 4 or 5 hours, once a week, which is horrible for memory and technique.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
A child can start learning about the voice at anytime, however it takes the vocal folds a while to mature. To avoid serious injury or longterm vocal health issues, it's best to wait to begin formal lessons until the student is 13 or older. Sometimes, if the student is younger than 14, people recommend learning the basics of music and performance through another instrument, like the saxophone or piano. This helps the child become a good musician before their voice is ready to take voice lessons in the studio. If the passion is there in high school, there's no reason they shouldn't pursue lessons.
When will I start to see results?
Lessons develop voices, but they also develop confidence, musicianship, and responsibility in the student. Results are determined by the effort expressed in lessons and when practicing at home. Students obtain new ways to use and think about their voice during the first lesson, and results could theoretically begin to manifest from this first hour or half hour in the studio. However, real and longterm change takes time, and every learns at different paces. There shouldn't be pressure to be perfect right away--there's a lot to learn!
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
The methods of my lessons are lightly adapted from the teachings of my own instructor and mentor, W. Stephen Smith. He has had tremendous success with his students, who have gone onto garner some of the biggest professional careers in opera and musical theater today. He developed several "inventions" that work to disentangle the vocal apparatus and, in doing so, help to free the voice and musical expression behind it. His methods are universal, easily adjustable for each student, proven to work, and fun.
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
I have always had a passion for writing, and if I didn't choose to be a musician, I may have studied to become and author of fiction. Even now, it's a hobby of mine to read and write. This is an asset in the studio and practice room, because singing is a language art. The biggest difference between the voice and any other instrument is, of course, the ability to use words. An easy and clear delivery of text is a goal of mine every time I sing, because, without words, I might as well be playing any other instrument! I indulge in the luxury.
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Piano lessons in Buffalo Grove to students of all ages and abilities.
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