Name: Improvisation Lab
Uploaded: 2021-09-10T17:50:35.000Z
Duration: 8 min 35 s

Anyone can learn how to improvise!

Improvisation is a great way to express yourself musically without
The labor of reading complex music
All or most jazz is improvisation but not all or most improvisation is jazz!
Yes piano is great but you can improvise playing ANY instrument!

Unit 1 - the basic essential tools.
In this unit you will learn the most essential tools that you need to have in order to improvise.

Learning these tools means that you know what they are, you understand the logic behind them and
That you are able to play them. The key words are therefore: Knowledge, comprehension, and performance

In order to qualify for unit 1 you need to have:
1. At least 2 years of playing an instrument
2. At least basic skills of note reading, treble clef is mandatory, bass clef is highly recommended but not
    mandatory. 
3. Knowledge of basic note values - whole notes, half notes, quarter notes and eighth notes.

Piano

Dan, a multi faceted musician, composer and educator active in the tri-state area since 1994. Dan's eclectic education, upbringing and fields of interest render him one of the unique voices in the dynamic field of current music education.
In an era where old boundaries are breaking and a growing musician needs to have expanded horizons, Dan stands out in the crowd.

Born and raised in Jerusalem, Dan received his musical education from the Rubin music academy in Jerusalem and the Manhattan School of music in NYC where he completed a Masters degree in classical composition and Jazz performance. Dan's playing and compositions were performed nationally and internationally, reviewed by the New York Times, The St Louis Post Dispatch and other publications.

Currently Dan is teaching composition, film scoring, theory and ear training at the Manhattan school of music pre college division (where he has been a faculty member since 1994) and piano,  theory and composition at the JCC on the Palisades Thurnauer school of music,where he also served as theory department chair from 1999 - 2005.
The newest addition to Dan's expending circle is The Red Bank Regional High School for the performing arts where he has a been a guest lecturer since fall of 2011.

Dan has been giving private lessons of music and music related subjects for over 20 years.

The system Dan developed over the years of teaching is based on two fundamental principles-
The paramount importance of developing sound traditional skills and the strong conviction that you should always tailor the method to the student and never tailor the student to the method. 

Dan's eclectic background enables him to draw on a wide range of musical styles and techniques, fulfilling the needs of students from all walks of the musical experience. Lessons are available in the following areas for all ages and levels:

Piano - classical

Piano - contemporary / jazz / Broadway.

Piano - eclectic

Composition

Song writing, arranging and producing

Music theory, General theory, Jazz and popular music theory, a special AP music theory preparation workshop.


*** Lesson Details ***
I am a strong believer in combining traditional skills and sensibilities with a strong affinity to today's musical and pop culture, While I am an extremely patient teacher, I do expect (and achieve) results. If a student starts with me from scratch they should be able to play real piano tunes within 6 months.
Regarding scheduling, I do have a 24 hour advance notice for cancelling lessons to maintain steady schedule.

*** Studio Equipment ***
living area piano seating for parents 

*** Travel Equipment ***
The student needs to have a piano/keyboard

*** Specialties ***
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Broadway, composition, song writing, music for film, production, music history, theory, ear training, AP preparation.

Improvisation Lab

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Music Performance

Classical Piano

Music Theory

Songwriting

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

2nd prize in composition, honorable mention in songwriting contest

I have been a faculty member at MSM preparatory division for 15+ years.

Teacher, compostion, theory, ear training, film scoring, improvisation

Hebrew

All styles and levels, from Twinkle to Toccata and from Beethoven to Blues and beyond.

I've been taking lessons with Dan for almost 3 years, and he's been wonderful! I'm very grateful to see him every week.

He has unique experience to elicit specific sounds as well as broad range to address any strange questions I have for him.

Dan is excellent, he’s intuitive and has a calm yet assuring teaching style. Clearly he knows what he’s doing and how to bring the best out of each and every student.

Dan is an excellent teacher who quickly understood my style and goals. In my first lesson, I learned so much. Dan is the guy! I'm excited I found the right Music teacher. 

Dan brings an incredible wealth of piano experience. He adapts his approach and lesson topics to help the student achieve their individual objectives. 

Lessons are fun and, if you inquire, you can learn a lot about your expected proficiency over time.

Dan is an EXCEPTIONAL PIANO TEACHER!! Along with his impressive NYC music credentials, Dan has a highly effective teaching style where he balances the musical interests and goals of the student, along with a concrete plan for developing the needed skills to enjoy learning and playing the piano. While setting high expectations, his teaching techniques are presented in a way that are easy to understand.

I am amazed at my progress in a short period of time. I always look forward to my next lesson! With the highest endorsement, I recommend Dan for teaching piano. Thank you, Dan!

I chose the right teacher!  As an adult who took lessons as a youth, I had definite goals in mind.  Dan listened and catered the lessons to my aspirations. In a short time, I have already improved my skillset and theoretical knowledge.  Dan introduced me to a new composer and taught me why I like his music. Dan taught me how to use a metronome, and this practice has increased the speed and fluidity of my playing. 

Dan's knowledge and teaching style has far exceeded my expectations!

I'm sort of blown away by how far I've come through my lessons with Dan. To the point where I take for granted what my fingers can now do on the piano. Any goal I had, whether it was in improvisation, composition, performance, or theory, Dan had a plan for how to get me there. And now I'm there and its genuinely exactly what I wanted. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

For the past 5 years, I've had the pleasure of taking lessons from Dan. The experience has been truly life changing. I took piano lessons as a kid (5-18), and stopped as an adult. I tried to pick it up here and there, but ultimately it never stuck. 

Taking lessons with Dan changed all of that. My love for music and piano has never been higher in my life. I have developed a passion for many styles, including blues, classical and improvisation. Dan's ability to break down big concepts, like improvisation, to bite size pieces is incredible. I've had teachers in the past teach improvisation as "sit down at the piano, relax and just play." That simply doesn't work. Dan's structured approach results in substantial progress, which in turn, makes me enjoy the piano that much more. My only regret is that I didn't record myself more when I first started with him. The progress I've made over the past 5 years with Dan has been amazing. 

I cannot recommend Dan enough for piano lessons.

Dan is patient and kind, his methods are excellent and I have learned a lot from him in a short time. He takes time to understand where you are then develops a plan to get you where you want to go.

I've only taken my first lesson with Dan, but I can tell he is going to be an excellent teacher. I have been playing for several years, but I never learned the solid foundational principles of music. Dan has already started explaining that to me in a very methodical way. He also has a gracious charm which is always appreciated in a teacher.

Dan knows how to do everything! I consider myself an advanced student, and he's able to clearly answer all of my questions and show me examples on the fly! I highly recommend him, especially if you're eager to learn quickly

Dan is an excellent instructor.  Although I have played the piano for years, my technical skills and understanding of music theory have improved exponentially through my work with Dan.  He is particularly accomplished at using multiple approaches to explain difficult concepts to ensure that I fully understand them.  I highly recommend him.

Have had a few lessons with Dan so far and nothing to complain about.  Really this is the type of teacher I'm looking for the whole time as an adult beginner. He knows what he is doing and how to push you to the next level.

This is the first video out of 4, teaching how to play piano (and other instruments) using sheet music with chord symbols.
In this lesson you will learn how to play the basic chords of music - the triads, Major, minor, diminished, augmented and suspended. 
The info in this lesson will enable you to start playing sheet music with chord symbols the way it was meant to play., by using your knowledge of chords.
The following lessons will be about inversions, slash chords, 7th chords and other extended chords and using chord knowledge to make the sheet music come to life!


Dan B.

Improvisation Lab

Dan's Piano videos

Playing Sheet Music with Chord Symbols. Lesson 1.

Improvisation Lab

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