310-935-4532
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25 Years
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Piano lessons in Lakewood . 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 Voice
My teaching style is two part. Many teachers approach each student with the same routine and technique, and don't really listen to the issues the student has or wants to discuss. I listen to students' thoughts and observations, and address their issues and concerns specifically; as well as coming in with my own plan for what can be improved and how to go about achieving the students' goals and what needs to occur for improvement in my professional opinion. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Drums Bass Guitar Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
At the heart of my teaching style is a balance between understanding concepts, developing technique, and applying everything in a practical, musical way. Technique and theory are essential, but they should serve expression not limit it. What we learn should ultimately help us communicate and create freely. For example, while we might spend time practicing the C major scale on the piano to understand its structure and build familiarity, the next step is bringing it to life. Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice
Lessons can be tailored to fit your specific needs. For younger students who need a more diciplined style of lesson, I make sure to keep them on a specific practice schedule. For adult learners, or younger students who are hoping for less rigid lessons, we can take things at a slower or more relaxed pace. Either way, I do my best to make lessons fun! Read More
Instruments: Piano Voice
My Methods: Fundamentals of breath work - incorporating several physical exercises and methods of showing the coordination until it is ingrained Focus on the use of the resonators - projecting the sound to the different cavities where sound resonates before leaving your body and into the room (i.e. 'the mask', mouth resonance, chest resonance, etc) Reducing tongue tension - a common issue is root of the tongue tension and I have several exercises to address this Improving range - most of my students gain notes in their belt range and their head range, and often in their low range as well Increasing the legato vocal line - here we focus on linking the vowels properly supported by the breath Jaw tension - similar to tongue we have evercises for this Style - different approaches such as riffing, back phrasing, using a glottal attack, using a breathy attack - creating colorful expressive phrases that link to the emotion of the song and the style desired Musicality - learning to read music, counting tempo, sustaining pitch, syncopation, dynamics, etc Diction - correct vowel shapes and enunciation + awareness of when tension closes down the vocal line if diction is carried over from speaking habits Performance - using tools from acting training to perform a song effectively and believably Career consultation - when appropriate, also offered Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I am a firm believer that the right teacher will save you years of time and money. My style is geared towards helping you establish a practice routine and a relationship with music that fulfills you during your entire music journey. For young students, I focus on building a healthy relationship with practice and learning that crosses over into all areas of study. I believe learning is great privilege and should be exciting! Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Acoustic Guitar
I have been teaching music since I was 16 years old and I want to share the same experiences I had as a student. Many teachers won't admit it, but a student's musical future depends almost entirely on who is teaching them. If a teacher is fun to get along with and understands how the student communicates then this can ensure longevity in a student's playing career (even if the student only plays for fun). Read More
Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar
What musical accomplishments are you most proud of?
I played at a religious gathering several times called Bethel Family Night, at Wallkill NY. I played, along with a small group, such tunes as Walk Don't Run, Perfidia, and Classical Gas. On another occasion i played solo fingerstyle guitar, Windy and Warm, Both Sides Now and a couple of other songs. There was over 1000 people present. One one occasion I received applause just walking on stage.
My brother Joe and I played in a small combo a few times doing Allman Brothers material, Billy Joel songs and Hollies "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" among other songs
Why did you choose your primary instrument?
My older brother Terry played guitar such as Ventures and other kinds of Surf, country and pop music. I just love the sound of the guitar, in all forms of music.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
For guitar, a child's hand size is important in order to purchase the right size instrument. For example, I had an 8-year-old student who plays a 3/4 size guitar. A young student needs an appropriate attention span as well. I adjust according to their attention span.
Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I did not have any teachers, our family could not afford music lessons. I learned from books and occasional visits with other players. No regular, structured lessons.
When will I start to see results?
Probably right away, but the word "results" is open to interpretation. Will you be able to slowly play a very simple song or part of a song after the first lesson? That is always my goal.
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Regularity is key, even a few minutes a day is helpful. I find for myself that 3 times a week and a minimum of 2 hour is best. Playing very slowly, along with a metronome, has been very beneficial for me. As a student progress, he can increase his metronome speed to an acceptable BPM for the song.
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
The left hand is the hardest for me to master. My hands are smaller so I only have a 4 fret stretch. As I play more I am noticing a small increase in my left hand stretch though.
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
I ask the students what they want to learn, then try to teach them something that they can learn quickly. Then they feel a sense of accomplishment early. I progress thru an explanation of notes, intervals and chords, strumming patterns etc.
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
15-minute review of songs I know well, 30 minutes learning new chords, scales and songs, then 15 minutes writing and recording something new. I also review music theory after actual playing time.
What is your dream piece to perform and why?
There is no one particular piece but Chet Atkins songs such as Black Mountain Rag, Blue Angel, Hellacious, as well as Jerry Reed songs such as Jerry's Breakdown. Also some Tommy Emmanuel songs
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
Electronics technician or other technical work such as computer work. Technical work and music seem to go hand in hand since music has a definite foundation in physics and guitars often incorporate electronics
What is your favorite style/genre of music to play and why?
Fingerstyle songs that use the right hand thumb playing a bass string accompaniment while the right hand fingers play the main melody. Classic fingerstyle guitar is very entertaining to an audience
If you play more than one instrument, how did you decide to start playing the second? (Or 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc)!
I do not play a second instrument but I dabble in keyboards and would like to learn violin. I dabble in keyboards mainly because it helps me to grasp music theory a little better.
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Grandparents, uncles, cousins and brothers all play. Some were touring musicians; some were recording engineers but most of us were just ones who played for ourselves or family and friends. I am presently trying to teach my 5 year old great grandson very basic music theory and simple songs on piano [3 Blind Mice]
When did you decide to become a professional musician? Was it a gradual decision or was there a defining moment for you?
After retirement, I had more time to devote to guitar. I do not gig much anymore but I hope to make a little extra money by teaching because it will keep me in the music world at some level.
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 Lakewood to students of all ages and abilities.
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