Violin Lessons in Babylon, NY

Instruments: Violin

My teaching philosophy centers around the goal of my students developing control of their own learning by becoming independent thinkers, problem solving on their own, and understanding critical methods for effective practice and successful performance. I guide this process by asking questions, offering suggestions, and ultimately steering students towards an ownership of their choices. As a result, they are able to maximize their practice time during the week as they become better analysts of their own playing from both a global and detailed perspective. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola

Again this can be likened to an athlete who no longer trains. Also like an athlete this is something that does get easier the more you do it. That being said it requires less of a time commitment than many may think. One of the goals with my students is going to be to find entertaining ways to build that consistency. We'll make practice a game. A challenge to overcome, or a boss to beat. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle Music

I draw heavily on the Suzuki method when I teach. For young beginners this means a lot of ear training using singing, recordings, and games. For young students, I ask a parent to be involved in the training so that they can help the child with practicing. The key to young beginners is making everything fun and not going too fast. Through repetition, they learn skills and develop confidence by experiencing success at every stage of the process. Read More

Instruments: Violin Electric Violin Fiddle

I typically start the students off with open strings and rhythms and we learn the left hand separately so that the start is not overwhelming. With an intermediate to more advanced students we progress to scales (Jhnke, Galamian, Flesh etc...), etudes and exercises (Shradieck, Kayser, Mazas, Kreutzer, Wieniawski, Paganini etc...), as well as performing pieces (this often includes Bach and Mozart in every student's repertoire). I very much encourage all of my students to record themselves a few times a week, perform as much as possible (even for the family pet), play competitions and play with others! Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginning students, I use the Essential Elements book 1. This book introduces the student to the instrument in the most practical way while making it fun, and it has the student reading music from the beginning, which I find very important. After this, we go on to Suzuki book 2 and a scale book. Then we move our way through the Suzuki books and start to incorporate more complex scales and etudes. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin

I believe you already on your journey to who you want to be, so it is just a privilege to help and watch you get there. I am big on encouragement as well as introspection, so that when I'm not around, you know the questions to ask to work through any challenges you may be experience. Getting you out of your comfort zone is also a focus of mine. A lot of people are closer to their goals than they think, if they would just try. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Fiddle Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

With Violin Students, I like to start with the Suzuki method, Hal Leonard's Essential Elements, as well as some basic 1 octave scales. The first book of Suzuki is taught mainly by ear, while in the background I am also teaching rhythm with the Essential Elements material. With production songwriting and guitar, I like to work on basic chord shapes, chord changes and basic music theory so the student can understand the concepts clearly. Read More