Piano Lessons in William Penn Annex West, PA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Organ Double Bass Keyboard

My own mentor was a tough guy... He would stand behind me, yell, shout and pound my shoulder. For sure, it is not for everyone. With most students, I take a calm and relaxed approach. As a child studying the classics, I remember teachers hitting my hand with rulers when I made mistakes. Jazz; however, is a creative art. It also requires making things up on the spot, so the most important skill is not to avoid mistakes, but to be able to recover from them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Bass Guitar Mandolin Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

When teaching classical piano, I use technique books like Hanon, Pischna for advanced beginners and intermediate. Material can range from Bach, Beethoven, Schumann etc. Contemporary methods usually from an approved song book or possibly a show tune. All students will learn from the previously method technique books. Beginners we will use some method book like Alfred or something similar. Guitar: Mel bay or something for sight reading. Wolfhardt for intermediate students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute

I teach half hour lessons and instruct the student on good reading habits, how to practice and perform, encouraging them to bring in any supplemental music they are working on at school or on the internet. The importance of practice cannot be over emphasized, nor can the encouragement (nagging!!) Of an interested parent. A student cannot learn an instrument just by coming to lessons. The teacher's role is to guide, correct and instruct the student on what to do at home to truly become a musician. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Acoustic Guitar

I usually start my beginning piano students who are children, in Alfred's Basic Piano Library, Lesson Book 1A. After a few months, I begin adding solo repertoire that is appropriate for age and ability. For middle school age students and adults, I start with Alfred's Basic Piano, Adult, Level 1. I also like to find out the student's individual interest and find repertoire that they are interested in learning and that are aligned with their current skills. Read More

Instruments: Piano Keyboard

I started at the age of 9 on the accordion. I performed various concerts while continuing to sharpen my skills as a piano player. I have over 40 years of experience performing and teaching. What separates the best piano players from the rest of us is that they persevere through these challenges. Having the personal fortitude and work ethic to look at any difficult passage, and practice it until its perfect, is an attribute that you can learn, but will need to be cognizant of every day. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Keyboard

Great music lessons are a mix of solid technique building and fun application of those skills. I always spend the first few lessons getting the student familiar with the basic technique of the instrument, and then quickly move on to duets, improvising, sight reading, solos, etc. that tie in with the current technique studies. Music can also be heard or read, so I try to strike a balance between reading music/theory and learning/improvising by ear. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice

This method is especially helpful when I am teaching very young beginning students. I thrive teaching children between 6-9. I emphasize consistent good practice for a short period of time. I encourage my students to fit their practice in transitional times. Practice after dinner, practice before your homework, etc. for 5-10 minutes. It is consistent good practice that allows you to progress faster rather than long unfocused work. I find my students love this idea and it gives them proper freedom in their practice. Read More