Michael C
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Synthesizer, Music, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Funk, Electronic, Reggae, Bossa Nova, Soul, Punk
Michael C
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Synthesizer, Music, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Funk, Electronic, Reggae, Bossa Nova, Soul, Punk
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 7-80
NYU Music Minor School of Continuing Education
Hello! I am a veteran musician with over 30 years of experience. Music is the love of my life. I was first drawn to it listening to radio as a young boy in the car. It stood out and drew me in. I took up piano in junior high school and directed the school's SING productions. At NYU I studied music history, theory, composition, and jazz with a variety of teachers and composers. I played in a couple of local bar bands at this time.
After college I started a ska/punk band which toured for many years as part of the 3rd wave ska scene. We got lots of college radio play and played many live shows both in the NYC area and on the road. We were fortunate to record in some top major label studios during which time I learned a lot about the production and mixdown process. Afterwards I was fortunate to study with the great Jerry Jemmott on Long Island (Aretha Franklin and BB King's bassist). He taught me approaches to music that changed my life. I subsequently played in blues and cover bands for many years after this. Throughout this time I have continued to compose all sorts of music including country, bossa nova, counterpoint and rock.
With a young boy at home to care for and another on the way I am focused on teaching for the next few years exclusively before I get back to recording and performing live. My approach to teaching music involves three parts: 1. Learning proficiency on an instrument; 2. Maintaining interest in playing and 3. Creativity. I find it is very easy for people to get into a rut and/or get bored with music and I have some very specific approaches designed to mitigate this. I have a variety of gear at home including piano, basses, guitars amps etc so no need to bring anything if you come to my house to learn.
I have had many students on and off over the years. I tend to focus on making music or teaching but not both as I find doing anything well involves 100% committment. For the next 4 or 5 years I am focused on teaching exclusively. My knowledge is vast and I am excited to convey this knowledge to others! Trust me you will not be disappointed! The methods I teach will not only get you progressing but self-progressing and will cover a variety of instruments. Most importantly you will not get stuck in that rut that many fall into (I have fallen into it myself).
My method involves a two part approach - one is to teach proficiency with basics (reading and playing music). The other is to learn what music is, and how to keep yourself interested, progressing and that is by creating, modifying, improvising and composing. I believe everyone should dedicate at least part of their time with music to creativity. My methods also teach proficiency as the means to an end - creating great music. Pure virtuosity in and of itself is tiring for the ears so I tend to approach music as an artform. If you want to jam or 'shred' that is great it is just important to do it your own way.
My approach is simple - you tell me what your goals are and I help you achieve them. I can help with proficiency, timing, improvisation, technique, composition and am happy to go slowly or quickly. Some students do best with bi-weekly lessons. Others are better suited to weekly instruction. All students are taught how to break music down into simple terms which helps them approach music the right way. Lastly, the more you put into music the more you will get out of it like anything in life. So I expect students to keep up with the instruction and work hard at progressing.
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