Piano Lessons in Oceanside, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Make sure you do it everyday. Consistency goes a long way. Just 30 minutes a day or even 15 minutes if that is what you got It is better to practice a little bit each day than to find 1 hour to do in one day. You would be surprised the amount of ground you make by letting your muscles relax and your brain to process what you did over a day and then come back to it. When you practice be relaxed. Don't do too much at once, focus on one aspect to practice and build off that when you feel completely relaxed. For example: If you are learning a scale you can focus on part of the scale first like the first 3 notes, then the next 5. You can focus on playing the scale slowly at the speed where you can flip your thumb over so it stays in a single beat.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
It depends on the instrument and if your child is actually interested in playing. I think if your child has some motor skills and already playing the instrument(for example Drums) like banging the table, tapping rhythms, I think it is possible to work the child. If the motor skills of his fingers are strong enough he might be able to start playing the piano. It is important the child wants to play and you are not forcing him. I had a situation where the child didnt want to learn but the parent did and it didnt work out. The desire to play has to be there.

When will I start to see results?
Everyday. It depends on your expectations. I say drop those expectations. They are not based on reality. To become a professional musician can vary from person to person, but it should not be the goal. I feel playing an instrument is a spiritual journey. Everyday when I play I see how I am growing, how from the last practice I am learning something from the next practice. It is constantly building. Years and years, influences from nature and the outside you will see you progress and shine into play you may not foresee. But saying all that just stay relaxed and open minded and I think you will notice the results immediately.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
I think life is my teacher. Every moment of life inspires me to play music. I am inspired by walking, by meeting people, by hearing other musicians, by singing with others, by feeling its healing effects on myself, by uplifting others, by being amazed by others playing, by being amazed by my playing, as an art form to express, to feel the inspiration of others. I am inspired by listening to music, by crying, laughing, dancing, hearing the music of life ineverything and everyone, life is beautiful!

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
I wouldn't say I have a primary instrument. I play multiple instruments. The piano I started because I had played when I was younger and heard my sister play growing up and at 21 I decided to pick it up again.. I woke up one day I thought I want to take a group class. I took the group class and I kept playing for about 13 years, I took all these different music classes, eventually started to play guitar and songwrite with guitar, then banjo, then mandolin I started playing the didgeridoo. I would sing everywhere. I would take long walks and write songs. With the piano I loved classical music I loved Chopin. I would practice Chopin a lot.

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