Piano with Paul C.

I teach from a student's existing musical reality. Regardless of age, people have music that they like and love, as well as dislike. Through speaking with a student, I gather musical styles, genres, composers, artists, and songs that the student enjoys and I begin teaching this music to the student immediately, regardless of musical knowledge on their instrument. In the case of a beginner student, I customize personal arrangements of musical pieces for each student to match a student's current musical skill set. I have found that a student has as much to show me about their own musical reality than I have to show about mine. I am more of a facilitator than a traditional teacher. I help set up goals as far as song selections, and various performance possibilities: sight-reading and technique, improvisation, and learning by way of ear-training exercises. I do not simply dictate my expertise to a student, but rather, I teach the necessary musical skill sets, theory, and background knowledge of their instrument in order for the student to play what they want to play. What my student may show me in terms of musical styles, artists, I in turn show musical styles, genres, artists and songs - both historical and present day - that relate to what a student has shown to me. It is a symbiotic relationship. *Below is an excerpt from the bio page of my website: In addition to performing in the New York area, Paul teaches private lessons on piano, organ, guitar, and bass. Lessons include, but are not limited to improvisation, music theory, and ear training. Paul earned a bachelor of arts in English from Fordham University, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the master of arts program in music education form NYU. Paul has returned to NYU on two separate occasions as a guest speaker for the Music Business class, addressing both undergraduate and graduate performing arts and music education majors, sharing his own experience at NYU, as well as all aspects of his career being a band leader, freelance musician, and educator. As a performer, Paul's various projects reflect his love for classic r&b and soul, funk, blues, and jazz. His latest project as a leader involves the Hammond B3 organ, for which he has used both the classic organ trio instrumentation of organ, guitar, drums, as well as organ, bass drums, and also organ and drum duo. For the past 20 years, Paul has also been a session musician in recording studios in New York City and the surrounding area. Paul has composed recorded for television commercials for Nike, Banana Boat, and the MSG Network, and has recorded for artists such as Michael Powers, Melissa Reaves, The 4th Floor, and The Hip Pocket Band. Paul's latest session work has been at Sliding Door Studios in New Rochelle, NY where Paul has been heard on various artist's CD's, as well as music and sound design for television shows such as CBS's "Criminal Minds", "Pawn Stars", "Cajun Pawn Stars" and "American Pickers", WE's "Big Easy Brides", and Velocity's "Saw Dogs". Paul currently lives in Tuckahoe, NY with his wife and two children *** Lesson Details *** Each lesson is customized for the individual student. Factors which are taken into consideration are age, musical tastes, pre-existing goals before first lesson, musical skill sets, knowledge of instrument and music theory. *** Studio Equipment *** 50'' upright Samick piano Hammond B3 organ Gibson acoustic guitar Fender Stratocater electric guitar Fender Telecater electric guitar Fender fretless electric bass Garage Band recording software ProTools recording software *** Travel Equipment *** iPad various guitars and bass *** Specialties *** Performance. Individualized attention and guidance, in relation to a student's musical enjoyment and growth within the scope of music that speaks to each student. Setting goals specific to the instrument and a student's growing skill set. Expertise in improvisation, music theory, ear-training.