Piano Lessons in West Linn, OR

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin

There are so many ways to approach music - via reading music, improvising, composing, playing by ear, and I make sure to include them all over the course of my lessons with students. I encourage students to bring songs that they are interested in learning, and also provide plenty of material to get them on their way to undersanding how to navigate both their instrument, and music. I usually use the Hal Leonard method for guitar students learning to read, and the Faber piano method for paino students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Ukulele

I generally split lessons into three sections, 1/3 with chords, 1/3 scales, 1/3 with songs, but every student is different, for example, If your goal is to strictly learn chords to sing folks songs over, I will emphasize more chord reading and learning time. If you want to play leads, I will spend more time emphasizing scales to help you learn how to improvise. There are also other excercises we can do like rhythm reading (just with clapping, no instrument) transcription/listening, and harmonic analysis. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Flute Ukulele Recorder

My teaching approach is tailored to the interests and goals of each student, but always includes fundamentals such as scales, strength-building exercises, rudiments of theory, and ear training. Some of the method books I've used include the Faber "Piano Adventures" series, Alfred and Bastien series, and Hanon's The Virtuoso Pianist, among others. I always supplement these materials with arrangements and transcriptions of popular songs and classical pieces, along with original exercises designed to teach specific styles and techniques. Read More

Instruments: Piano

My teacher in college was a proponent of Alexander Technique, and she helped me loosen up and play with more ease and fluidity. Because of this, I use some of the techniques she taught me in many of my lessons. I usually teach out of the Faber piano series, but I am willing to be flexible if a student has already started with another series. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Ukulele Electric Violin Fiddle Acoustic Guitar

I like to balance musical enjoyment and technical training in my teaching method. I like to see the students making new musical and technical discoveries each week. I encourage them to set goals such as performing in quarterly student recitals and to consider taking part in a Syllabus program that has advancing yearly goals. I use the Suzuki method especially with the younger students and encourage parents to become effective home teachers through coaching and printed materials. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

I have been teaching beginning piano to younger students and flute to students of all ages! I have also had the opportunity to teach overseas when my university's wind ensemble went on tour to Asia. My experience is mostly with classical music, but I have some experience in jazz. Not too much though! I love to encourage a consistent practice schedule and I emphasize having fun while practicing. Practicing should not be work, but a way to set goals and find enjoyment in achieving them and a time to make music that can make YOU happy. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar

As a general rule, I blend music instruction between all instruments in order to make points very clear - all of my guitar students learn theory on the piano as well as solfedge (singing theory), and vice versa. I teach this to you through vehicles that you decide on and enjoy, for instance I regularly transcribe the music of the videogame Sonic the Hedgehog for one of my young piano students, and we play them as duets. Read More