Piano with John S.

I have been teaching young people and adults how to play musical instruments for over 20 years. A lot of my students are well on their way to a rewarding future with music, some as professionals and others as hobbyists. In addition to being a teacher, I am also a professional performer who has worked in a wide variety of styles and I have a Masters degree in music composition and theory. One of my main specialties is working with very young students and total beginners. There is a special skill to teaching young children that can only be developed through experience. For the older student, or the student who already has a musical background my specialty is helping you learn the styles that have always been of most interest to you. I can also help older students gain a broad understanding of music through some basic music theory. *** Lesson Details *** I can teach piano or keyboard to beginners and up to advanced students. On woodwinds and guitar I can teach beginners and up to intermediate level students. My teaching style is fairly relaxed and very positive, but I will try to keep the lessons on a course that is going to benefit you the most. For younger piano students and beginners I prefer the Faber piano system. The songs in the Faber books allow for immediate playing and note reading without any tedious memorization. The beginner books contain a lot of fun songs that kids really gravitate toward. For older students I try to gear the lessons toward whatever musical style you prefer. For students who have only had traditional piano lessons I can teach you how to read pop and jazz chord charts, as well as how to turn those chord charts into fully arranged music. I can also teach improvisation and the skills that are required to play specific styles of music in a professional band. My beginner woodwind students will work with Standard of Excellence and Yamaha method books, while older students can learn improvisation and theory if they like. For my younger guitar students I have a variety of beginner material I have collected over the years, but for my older students I prefer to work on songs of their choice. I do not teach finger picking guitar and I do not recommend teaching guitar on line. Guitar is best taught in person. *** Studio Equipment *** Professional digital piano, many other keyboards, guitar, bass guitar, saxophone and flute. I also have a comfortable seating area for parents, guests or observers. *** Travel Equipment *** I can provide multiple keyboards, a guitar, saxophone and flute, as well as countless books and literature. *** Specialties *** I play keyboards professionally in jazz, RnB, rock, reggae, Latin rock and other styles. I can help the student who has only had traditional lessons branch out and learn how to read chord charts, which in turn teaches them theory. I am a certified Orff teacher as well.