Hacienda Heights, CA Music Theory Lessons

od posture, and breathing techniques. One rule that I have is that I don't move you on to another song until you have successfully learned all you can from the first one you try. There is no point in learning another song when you have only learned the first one at a mediocre level.
If you are serious about becoming a better singer/musician you will enjoy our lessons.
I encourage my students to strive for excellence and will do all I can to draw that out of you.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide the tools to learn theory, songs to choose from and I do have my own portable keyboard. Students would need to have a tape or digital recorder to record their lessons and a positive attitude.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in classical voice, and vocal training, (learning how to use your voice properly).

everyone else making interesting music in the world.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a GIT graduate and will teach you everything they teach at Musicians Institute, one-on-one. Whether you want to learn scales, arpeggios, chords, music theory, harmony, arranging, reading music, writing music, ear training, rhythm guitar styles (rock, pop, jazz, funk), soloing techniques (rock, metal, pop, fusion), songwriting (on acoustic and electric), live performance (pre-show preparedness, eliminating stage fright, developing a professional stage presence), using fx pedals, ideal amplifier settings, finding your signature guitar tone, music production (recording, mixing and mastering), music business (creating your press kit, marketing your music, negotiating payments and contracts)...you name it, I've studied it and will teach it to you!

*** Studio Equipment ***
When I'm not touring and doing sessions, I spend the majority of my time in Hollywood, where I keep a small but full-featured music studio on a nice, quiet little street just off Hollywood Blvd. It's great because it contains all of the necessary items I need to maintain my skills, improve my abilities, and expand my knowledge (sofa, chair, office desk/chair, several amplifiers, guitars, fx pedals, metronome, etc). And in terms of the lessons I teach, while there isn't an on-site waiting area, there are several shops, restaurants and a small Fresh & Easy grocer with a nice, quiet alfresco seating area just a block or so away. What's more, the Hollywood & Highland mall is only a few blocks away. Parking is very convenient in the LA Fitness subterranean garage, the entrance to which is located on North Sycamore Ave. The fee for parking is free for one hour, with easy, no-hassle validation from Fresh & Easy. Note: street parking is permit-only and you will be ticketed...so DO NOT park on the street!

*** Travel Equipment ***
Please bring your instrument, a notebook, pencil, and, if you would like to record your lessons to have and review afterward, a pocket-size recording device. I will typically record moments when a student performs an example of something s/he has been working on, or an improvisation regarding the same. I do this strictly for the purpose of (a) having an example to which to compare and measure the student's progress and improvement over time, and/or (b) to capture a 'magical moment' of musical inspiration that might prove useful to the student's artistic/musical development, etc. At the student's request, I will provide a copy of said recordings (if any) on a CD. All such recordings are kept 100% confidential, are not distributed nor disseminated for any reason whatsoever, and are deleted at such time that the student discontinues his/her lessons with me.

*** Specialties ***
I am a very style-flexible musician and guitarist. Some really great books I've used in my own studies and lessons include: Pepe Romero's 'Guitar Style and Technique,' Ted Greene's 'Chord Chemistry,' George Russell's 'The Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization for Improvisation,' Peter Magadini's 'Polyrhythms,' et al.

prov on violin and jazz theory at Saddleback College. Jill had private violin lessons with 12 different teachers and has been playing the violin for almost 25 years.

Jill has performed at the Segerstrom Concert Hall, Walt Disney concert Hall and Soka Performing Arts Center.

Jill also attended the Montecito Summer Music Festival and Soka's Chamber Arts Festival to study and perform string quartets and piano quintets.

Jill also is classically trained and performed professionally with the Dana Point Symphony, Montage Civic Orchestra, Brentwood/Westwood Symphony, Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church orchestra, Vanguard Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Irvine. She also worked as a violinist for Irvine Valley College.

She performs classical, pop music, and jazz and plays reggae music, top hits, movie music, and rock for professional violin events as a solist and with a violin and cello duo.

Jill is patient and has a variety of students and able to adjust to each student's personality and needs.

Jill has performed as a solo violinist at the Orange County Fair in 2007 and 2008 with a Bluegrass band and was a concerto competition winner in 2004 performing Haydn's Violin Concerto No. 2 with the South Orange County Chamber Orchestra as a soloist.

Method books used:

Piano students learn from the Faber & Faber books, classical piano collection books, Bastien method books, Snell, Hanon exercises, and scale books by Bastien.

Violin and viola students use Suzuki method books along with reading music and playing all standard violin and viola literature outside of the Suzuki method. Students learn vibrato and shifting to other positions and learn from etude exercise books, scale studies using Carl Flesch books or Essentials for Strings books, and Sassmanshaus Early Start on violin, a fun method book for young violin students.

Etude books used: Wolfahrt, Kreutzer, Rode, Dont, Fiorillo, Gavines, and exercises from Schradiek and Sevcik. Composers and literature taught: concertos by Vivaldi, Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Hoffmeister, Stamitz, Mendelssohn, Wieniawski, and Kabalevsky to name a few. Bach Sonatas and Partitas and Bach cello suites for viola. Sonatas by Beethoven, LeClair, Vivaldi, Frank, Brahms, and more! Jill can also teach pop, fiddle, and has studied jazz improv and jazz theory.

Private violin students can participate in the Certificate of Merit program testing in Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach.

Students also learn to read music (Sight reading) and learn rhythm.

2 optional recitals per year for students.

Jill can help students with orchestra auditions for local youth orchestras.

She has helped students get into All State and All Southern Youth Orchestras, join youth orchestras that summer tour Europe, helped students with Certificate of Merit, and auditions and acceptance into the Orange County High School of the Arts and college auditions.

She has taught at various music studios and coached music at high schools and middle schools in orange county.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Large, open living room space with an 88 key weighted upright keyboard. Seating for parents in couches and chairs. Foot stool for shorter piano students. Music stand light. Music Stand for Violin & Viola Students.

, developing mastery of rock guitar and blues performance and improvisation. Brian went on to complete a Bachelor's Degree in Classical Guitar Performance from California State University, Los Angeles.

Passionate about all kinds of music, Brian's studies include choral music and conducting, Gregorian chant (at the Monastery of St. Pierre de Solesmes, France), and Master Classes with Andrés Segovia and Christopher Parkening. In 1984, he participated as a member of the Honor Choir for the ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, which included recording of original music by Philip Glass for the Olympic Games under the direction of David L. Wolper and Mr. Glass.

As a jazz guitarist, Brian continues to grow musically in association with his colleagues of the Naomi Jazz Group, and other close musical friends who include students of the late, great Ted Greene.

*** Lesson Details ***
METHOD BOOKS:
FOR PIANO: Faber & Faber Method Series
Dozen A Day Technique series
FOR GUITAR:
STEEL STRINGS: Mel Bay, Alfreds Method Book
CLASSICAL: Fredric Noad
Julio Segraras Method
JAZZ: Stanford Jazz Workshop
The National Guitar Workshop's Jazz Guitar Method Series
Real Easy Books: Beginning & Intermediate Levels

MY APPROACH:
I focus on four areas that I think are essential to being a good music teacher:

• the uniqueness of each student;
• the fact that enjoyment (fun!) maximizes learning;
• the importance of proper technique and an understanding of music theory to build self-confidence;
• the development of musicianship through performance.

EACH STUDENT IS UNIQUE:
My first interest with each new student is to discover how he or she learns, and then to apply appropriate teaching techniques to maximize their potential. I gear my lesson plans to the individual and strive to optimize the learning potential of the student.

ENJOYMENT MAXIMIZES LEARNING:
In a lesson with me you can expect to never be bored, to laugh a lot, learn a lot, be positively engaged emotionally and challenged intellectually. I believe that learning is maximized when the student is enjoying the experience, and is faced with challenges appropriate to their skill level. I aim to make learning music fun, choosing musical selections to learn in the style and genre that relate to the student's interests and aspiration.

TECHNIQUE & UNDERSTANDING OF MUSIC THEORY TO BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE:
When my students perform in concerts, recitals, juries, auditions, recording sessions or simply for friends and family, they have self-confidence because they know precisely the "how" and "why" of everything required to perform well. My goal with students is to build a solid foundation in instrumental technique and thorough understanding of Music Theory at their appropriate level.

PERFORMANCE:
On a monthly basis, all my students practice performing pieces they are working on during the lesson time, with family/friends as an audience if desired and appropriate, and/or using digital recording to help the student develop a critical ear for their own playing.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Music stands, guitar/s and guitar stands, Dynarelle cushion, footrests, Korg 88 fully--weighted digital keyboard, Zoom H4 digital recorder.

As well, I have guitars and equipment both for teaching and performance of various styles, as below. Students will have the opportunity to learn about, play and become familiar with any of these instruments/equipment according to their interests and skill levels.

GUITARS:

CLASSICAL: Ramirez Model 1A Classical (professional concert level instrument)
Cordoba (teaching/practice instrument)
Hohner Acoustic (electric)

ROCK: Fender Stratocaster (pre-CBS)
Shechter Omen6
Shechter Elite Series C1

FOLK: Martin (steel string)
Dobro

JAZZ: Oscar Schmidt by Washburn (hollow body electric)
Gibson SG (electric)

OTHER EQUIPMENT:

AMPS: Fender Twin reverb
Pevey practice amp
Rock amp

Boss GT8 Effects Pedal

*** Travel Equipment ***
Guitar stands, guitar/s, Zoom H4 digital recorder. Generally I do not transport my Korg 88 keyboard to the student's home for lessons, but I can if necessary. However, I do require that piano students have their own piano/keyboard or at least reliable access to one for practice between lessons.

Guitar students should also have their own guitar. I can advise on appropriate instruments and can help students find a suitable guitar for their learning level and price range.

understand what they couldn't in the classroom. I help the students by teaching in innovative ways that will catch their attention more than standard teaching methods. Students should consider me for I can make learning fun and never a chore!

*** Lesson Details ***
I use a wide variety of techniques to sing, play piano and other instruments. Techniques include straight vowel singing (no words) to test how long to hold notes, using color to help people sight read, using improvisational techniques in order to play jazz, rock, classical and many other styles of music.
I use what they student has under his or her belt as a starting point to see what lessons we could start them on.
I also assist with online lessons to make transportation a thing of the past. If you've got a webcam or Skype, I can do long-distance lessons with you! So, I am here to help!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Alesis Recital Keyboard
Music sheets
Web cam
Mac computer (MacBook Pro)
Finale music notation software to help in composition and theory lessons.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Music paper for away lessons.
Finale for composition and music theory lessons.
Can use macbook for more elaborate teaching or demonstration if need be.

*** Specialties ***
I do teach classical composition with specialties in ensemble and chamber music. I also specialize in songwriting for pop and other media.
I teach voice and vocal techniques of sacred choral and vocal music.
I teach classical and jazz piano and improvisation. I also have the distinction in being able to teach students with special needs or learning disabilities as I have a mild form of cerebral palsy and understand what students with special needs go through.

ND ADULTS
It’s never too soon or too late to build up your musical abilities. If you have zero experience but want to learn, I can teach you how to use your voice or play the piano.
- Match pitch and carry a tune
- Keep a steady beat
- Play melodies and chords on the piano
- Understand how your instrument works
- Read music
- Learn to play or sing a song by ear
- Get comfortable performing in front of others

PIANISTS WITH 3+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Have you been studying with another teacher who taught you the basics and you’re ready to advance to a higher level? Are you self-taught and interested in refining your skills? I will help you take your piano playing to the next level.
- Build more advanced technical skills
- Play with emotion and finesse
- Find new and challenging repertoire
- Learn to accompany a soloist
- Perform in front of audiences
- Understand music theory
- Write your own music

EXPERIENCED SOLO SINGERS
Are you ready to audition for a high school or community musical or opera? Have you performed covers or your own music at an open mic? Would you like to major in vocal performance in college or possibly become an opera singer? Do you really rock at karaoke? Are you already proficient on an instrument and want to branch out into singing? I can help you build on the foundation you’ve already developed.
- Stretch your vocal range
- Improve your tone and projection
- Develop advanced technical skills
- Work on challenging songs
- Explore a variety of genres and styles
- Develop a strong stage presence and charismatic performing style
*- Learn classical/Bel Canto technique - I specialize in classical singing, although I work with singers in many genres

CHORAL SINGERS
Are you, or would you like to be, a choir member at your school, church, temple, or community choir? I’ve been singing in choirs for almost thirty years! I can teach you any skill you need to know, from basic skills for beginners, to advanced skills for aspiring or working professionals.
- Expand your vocal range
- Learn controlled vocal technique and how to “blend” your sound
- Read music
- Practice basic to advanced sight-singing
- Sing harmony
- Understand conductor’s directions
- Learn techniques for different styles of music

ABOUT ME:
I'm college educated in both classical music performance and English literature. In addition to teaching, I perform professionally as a singer, organist, and pianist with musical groups all over the greater L.A. area, including the Pacific Chorale, the Charles Dickens Carolers, Nova Vocal Ensemble, and many others.

I'm happy to meet my students at any location near either Pacific Palisades or North Hollywood - I can teach music at any location with a piano. Contact me for more information. I look forward to meeting you!

If you’re ready to start, click the green “Book With Me” button on my profile!

*A note about availability - I keep this updated as accurately as possible, but because I travel over a wide area, your preferred time slot may not be possible for me, depending on the location of the lesson. Please contact me to discuss scheduling before you request a specific time slot.

If you choose to take lessons at my home location, please be aware that I have cats. If you have a phobia or allergy, this location won't be suitable for you.

ed through the use of vocal exercises and learning proper technique. I find that beginning piano lessons are excellent for those too young to begin studying voice or those that want to supplement their vocal studies.

I look forward to discussing potential teaching opportunities with you very soon!