Piano Lessons in Burkittsville, MD

Instruments: Piano Flute Recorder

Blythe recently relocated to Maryland, but she has also taught in New York, New Jersey, and Tennessee, as well as internationally, in Egypt and Costa Rica. She has taught privately, worked in public schools at the secondary and elementary level, taught in community music schools and arts camps, and has worked with various organizations that provide free music education to students in need. Blythe has also had experience teaching online through Zoom. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

For beginner students I will utilize either the "Alfred's Basic Piano Library" or "Faber - Hal Leonard's Piano Adventures" with the particular books selected to fit the student's age and skill level. I also enhance lessons by integrating scale pattern practice as well as exploration with simple boogie-woogie bass patterns; encouragement to sing and play where the lessons provide such an arrangement; and tinkering creating very simple melody lines and lyrics. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginners, I start with the basics - proper posture and hand position, introduction to the keyboard and note recognition. In my experience, the Faber series is the most widely followed to get students started on their musical journey. As students progress, I ensure that they develop a repertoire that consists of at least 3 songs. I emphasize the importance of technical exercises that begin with 5 finger scales and advance to proper octave scales. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar

I teach music at extracurricular programs in many elementary and pre schools across the Northern Virginia and Maryland area. I also teach piano and guitar in my home studio in Fairfax. I feel qualified to teach children, age 5-18, and to do so in a way that each child feels happy, special, and encouraged. I have gained many skills over the years and the most valuable skill I gained is how to make students love the instrument they play! Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Music Keyboard

I customize the curriculum and repertory for each of my students based on their personal goals, which we will discuss in the first lessons. Do you want to play for yourself or to perform publicly? What kinds of repertory appeal to you and how much time do you have to practice? From there we will create a plan that best meets these goals. For beginners, this will include a method book (I often use Faber Piano Adventures for young beginners and Alfred Adult-In-One methods) to get you started. Read More

Instruments: Piano

When first starting with a student, I gage what their level of music is and go from there. With all my students regardless, we start off with Hanon exercises and scales. These are the fundamentals of piano. Music theory will also be applied as needed to help students learn music appropriately and efficiently. With beginners, we start with the John Thompson Piano Books so that students are getting the well rounded ins and outs of the piano. Read More

Instruments: Piano

I began teaching private lessons 9 yeras ago when some neighborhood friends encouraged me to share my love of music through teaching. Encouraging regular, consistent practice and keeping a journal of areas of focus during practice is one of the techniques I encourage for students of all ages to progress and grow in their enjoyment of the instrument. I love encouraging students to compose their own material, and to share their music in competitions and recitals, as a way to develop their passion for music and to stay motivated to learn. Read More