Chandler Music Lessons

Originally from Boulder, Colorado, Marty moved to the Phoenix, AZ area eight years ago. Marty has over 20 years of performing and teaching experience. She studied for three years at the School of Music, University of Colorado, Boulder. She has studied in the Masters program in vocal pedagogy and has performed in a variety of venues from blues to opera.

You will find her pedagogy technique to be respectful of the masters that have come before her. She is also open to new techniques from belting (in popular music), to microphone usage skills. As a student, you will be invited to perform in student recitals. You will be joining a team of dedicated, passionate performers who know the pleasure of performing.

As a beginning and intermediate piano instructor, Marty will guide you in the basics of sight reading. If you prefer, your piano classes will consist primarily of improvisation and chord progressions (you will also learn a little bit of sight reading which will help you 'flesh out' the melody). You will gain a solid foundation in music theory as well as an introduction into the vast world of music history. All age ranges are welcome, from the beginning elementary student, to the retiree just now finding the time to pursue their passion to perform.

I have authored a variety of music theory articles to assist you with your progress. We use these in the lessons to speed up your assimilation of the material. You will receive support via this literature and will quickly recognize how music theory supports your efforts with either singing or playing the piano.

*** Lesson Details ***
Your voice is unique to you. How you currently sing and what you want to sing will be the foundation from which we work. We will explore your voice and strengthen it via breath and physical exercises and practice with a repertoire that suits your individual tastes. We will also prepare your mind for quick and fluid articulation of your musical sensitivities.

Music theory and various musical explorations will assist you in moving forward in the most rapid manner possible. Whether you are twelve years old or sixty-five, you will find fun as well as perceptive methods for strengthening your passion for musical performance.

Since your body is your instrument, I am very conscious of the need to assist you in waking your body up in order to perform most successfully. The warm-up exercises include not only traditional vocalizes, but also methods for stretching your body and strengthening your diaphragmatic breathing. My students become very aware of any residual tension in their bodies. Singing is a wonderful way to get in touch with - and expel - any way in which you might 'close down' or 'tense down' your physical body. By working with a caring professional, you will learn how to freely share your unique talent with the world.

As we progress through the series of classes, you will use breathing exercises to activate the thoracic (throat & chest) and visceral (stomach) cavities. Your lessons will continue into specific vocalization exercises; such as singing scales, triads and specific exercises to assist you with fluid musical expression. Traditional ear training will also be a part of the lessons for intermediate students.

Many of the lessons I teach include a theme of working on confidence, vocal projection, breath support, finding and releasing tension, vocal range expansion, audition preparation and stage performance. All singing includes a core of story-telling. You will be encouraged to 'deconstruct' a song and discover the story, along with the emotions that are found in the lyrics of the songs you will sing.

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In a similar fashion, my piano students will work on exercises to establish kinesthetic learning or muscle-memory. I have a unique method for sharing chord-progressions and piano improvisation. You will learn to quickly share music in a satisfying and pleasing manner that will surprise you and the people who hear your music. From your unique 'ear,' and via your new-found understanding of music theory, music will pour out of your piano.

As a piano student, you will also be exposed to lessons of the masters who have taught for hundreds of years. Sight-reading at the piano is a very enjoyable skill. It is also a foundation from which we will work (while taking in mind your particular interests). Again, whether a pre-teen or a senior citizen (or anyone in between!) who has finally found the time to explore their musical talent - you will find classes uniquely suited to your musical trajectory.

Your lessons will proceed as you acquire the ability to successfully perform your exercises and musical literature. Playing the piano fluidly and sharing your abilities with others is an amazing experience! It is my intent to ensure that your progress is swift, enjoyable and based on the work of the masters who have come before us! See you soon... Cordially, Marty W.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, metronome, microphone and amp. I can provide supplemental piano music; in some cases, students will need to purchase their own music. I also have an area where parents can wait for lessons to end. We also have a market or restaurant close-by as well.

*** Travel Equipment ***
When traveling to student's homes - they need to have a piano. In some cases, students also need to buy their own voice or piano books. In the event that a vocal student prefers in-home lessons and does not have a piano, I can bring an electric piano to the lessons (let's talk!).

*** Specialties ***
Barbara Doscher method of Opera Voice and Singing
Have experience with conducting choral music
Piano - beginner and intermediate sight reading
Piano - chord progression and music theory (some songwriting)

tion.

Accomplishments include recording 7 albums with various groups, touring with national acts across the west coast, drumming for the Warner Brothers Television house band, and still actively playing live shows and recording.

*** Lesson Details ***
I put my focus on inspiring students to explore their own creativity with the tools and techniques that I give to them and nurture. I think it is very important to cover the basic skills that the school districts expect from their music students (sight reading, proper technique, note recognition, rudiments, timing, feel, etc.). I also feel it is important for a student to find his or her style and an ability to use the fundamentals to create music that they enjoy. He has written a method book based on the fundamentals of playing a rhythmic instrument with an emphasis on allowing the student to find their niche and lead a group through a piece of music or tastefully support it.

My studios are fully equipped with sound systems, the latest recording gear, acoustic and electric sets, hand drums and dozens of other percussion instruments. I believe that the more resources a person can draw from, be it intellectual or physical, the more fulfilling the learning experience will be.

Each lesson, my students will take at least a page of music that represents the concept that they are focusing on, and a goal set to accomplish by the end of the week so that they can build upon what they already know in an effort to put the big picture together. Ultimately the student will learn when and how to utilize the concepts that they are practicing.

*** Studio Equipment ***
A Yamaha electronic drum set in my Mesa Studio allows me to control volume and dial up any sound imaginable. I have full acoustic drum sets in other studios that I use for recording and private lessons. Often I will integrate guitar, keyboard, or other instruments in to the lessons if needed.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Sticks, Practice Pad, tuning kit, binder and books with teaching supplements.

*** Specialties ***
Music, Drums, Percussion, Theory, Composition, Piano and Guitar.
Drummers should be well versed in all genres of music. Rock, Jazz, Latin, Swing, etc.
Most of my students begin with concert and marching styles on a practice pad, then advance to the drum set.
I teach note recognition and placement, rudiments, linear playing, moeller method, rhythm theory, sub-division of notes and time, and the sight-reading to support these techniques.

I do expect students to practice consistently, I always do my best to tailor the lesson plans to their wants as well as their needs so practice is both fun and challenging. For students pursuing classical music, I'll typically start them in a book and reading sheet music, but for just about anything else, the lesson plans will be more customized to the taste of my students and will not require music reading ability in most cases. After the first few months, my students can expect to have a solid understanding of music, their instrument, and what steps to take to reach their long term goals.

*** Studio Equipment ***
My studio includes a full drum set, electric piano, as well as several guitars and a bass guitar. I would prefer that the student brings his or her own guitar or bass. I always have spare books and music in case the student forgets to bring their own.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I travel with my own guitar and bass guitar, but for piano and drum lessons, the student will need their own instrument and a quiet area to get the most from the lessons.

*** Specialties ***
While I have a degree in classical guitar, I have several years of experience with blues and classic rock, specifically on the electric guitar and drums. Aside from those, I enjoy all genres of music and have plenty of musical experience outside of the aforementioned genres.

her studies at university, personal study and from watching, listening to and performing with world class musicians. From all of this experience, Ginni developed a proven method for teaching piano and singing that helps students progress quickly and perform with ease.

Performance anxiety can be overcome. Using the tools that Ginni has developed, students relax, focus and enjoy their performing experience.

Reading music is important for pianists and singers. Ginni helps beginning through advanced students to more fully understand written music and quickly sight read it.

It’s important to perform songs that you enjoy. Students help choose supplemental songs that they love whether that be contemporary pop, traditional classical, Broadway, jazz, country or any other genre that they would like to learn.

Ginni’s piano and singing students increase their range, power, agility, control, confidence and expressiveness through technical exercises, scales, arpeggios, applying technique and lots of encouragement! Students grow the more that they share their talents. Students of Ginni’s are invited to participate in recitals, the Arizona Study Program and are guided through auditions, solo and ensemble performances.

Ginni uses the latest technology to help her students, whether by finding a song online for a student to listen to and learn from, transposing a piece on keyboard, improving the sound of an iphone song by plugging it into a speaker system or by using a mic to learn microphone technique.

A century old stand up piano may not be cutting edge technology but, Ginni’s sounds beautiful and her students enjoy playing it. Music is such a gift. So is participating in and watching the growth and progression of others.

Ginni asks her students to remember three things:
Try, Relax and Have Fun!

ut what motivates and inspires them, and helping each one accomplish his or her personal goals. Lessons with me focus on technical precision while also developing listening skills, focus, sensitivity, and appreciation for refinement and beauty.