Henry P
5.0
(19)
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Organ, Synthesizer
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Electronic, Avant-garde
Henry P
5.0
(19)
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Organ, Synthesizer
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Electronic, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-80
Henry holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Composition from William Patterson College and has been playing and studying piano since he was a child. He has had a number of important teachers in the classical and jazz traditions.
Henry is an incredibly experienced piano instructor in northern New Jersey, working with students of all ages and skill levels.
Henry is an active member of two bands: one is a progressive rock group where he writes original compositions, and the second is a Beatles tribute band that regularly plays in the area. Henry's progressive rock band, Advent (for which he writes most of the music and lyrics), has released three albums, their self-titled debut album, followed by "Cantus Firmus", and "Silent Sentinel" (recent performances of Advent are on youtube - see links above). He is now preparing music for a fourth Advent release, some time in the near future. Samples of his compositions with Advent are on Bandcamp and Spotify. Henry is also available to teach music theory and composition, or to include harmony, theory, and composition as part of his instruction in piano upon request.
Henry has been playing piano all his life, teaching privately for over ten years and has been working with Musika for six. He has also worked as the choir director at his church for eight years. He has studied classical piano privately with Donald Garcia (at William Paterson College), jazz piano with John Firrincieli, and composition with Dennis Busch and 20th century composition privately with Dr. Jeffrey Kresky (William Paterson College). He has performed since the 1980s with original techno-pop bands Accent On Travvel and Chemistry Set, in addition to his present work with Mystical Majesty Band and Advent.
I typically use the Alfred books for young beginning students. In these books, children learn the geography of the keyboard and learn about the contours of musical notation and by the end are using both hands. For adults, as well as intermediate children and up, I prefer the Michael Aaron series for intermediate and beyond. For beginning adults I use the Aaron Musical Primer. I also use the Aaron Technic for advanced performers. The object is to gain a mastery of basic fundamental skills so as to eventually dispense with the method books in favor of playing level appropriate pieces, which most students seem to prefer to relying exclusively upon method books.
The way I teach is the way I was taught, using methods that were in place when I was a kid, some of these techniques date back to the 1800's. I believe in teaching scales, and also the Carl Czerny exercises and etudes, pieces that are designed to get beginners up to the advanced level. I incorporate elementary theory into the scales by including chord cadence patterns and inversions so as to make the technical transition from method books to playing actual classical pieces and songs as smoothly and as quickly as possible.
Annette Ferrante
Henry is very patient and professional. I'm an adult with zero knowledge of reading music but in 3 weeks I'm playing music without looking at my fingers. I feel like it's a miracle - I never thought I'd be able to learn to play piano @56! Henry is perfect for me and I highly recommend him.
Pat Krieger
Two years later, and I am still taking lessons with Henry. He is a wonderful teacher who knows so much about music and teaching. I have come so far, thank you for your guidance and patience!!!! Highly recommend Henry and Musika.
Rj Quinit
Henry is a wonderful teacher who is very knowledgeable about piano and music in general. It's great that Henry explains the reason why I'm learning a particular song or doing a particular technique in a simple to understand manner. Henry is able to push your tallents to their full potential and I would highly recommend him to anybody interested in learning music.
Karen
Excellent! Very patient with children.
Pat
Henry has been a great piano teacher since I started lessons about a month ago, and he is helping me realize a lifelong dream. He is patient, plays beautifully, is easy to learn from and a very nice person. I took lessons as a child for a year or so, but never followed up over the years. I always said that I would once I retired and found the right instructor. That time is now. Thank you Henry and Musika!
Karen
He is patient, and shows interest in the student's success.
Steven
Henry is EXCELLENT!!!! Can't say enough good things about him.
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