Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Music Theory Lessons

"Alex progressed much further with guitar than he did with piano and he actually got to the point where he enjoyed playing on his own. That was a great accomplishment and very impressive to me...you helped instill some discipline and over the course of your instruction, Alex learned a lot. You were always positive with him, even when that was difficult, and I admired that and still appreciate it. I always looked forward on Sunday mornings to hearing the material the two of you were working on and I know he enjoyed his lesson with you."

*** Lesson Details ***
As a teacher, one of my biggest goals is to keep my students motivated and get them enthused about their music and committed to daily practice. I will strive to inspire my students, and ensure that all the while, they are having the time of their life! Practice and commitment are key. Students' curricula vary according to the student's goals and strengths and weaknesses. All students will learn how to play in tune and in time, know their fundamentals, work with music theory and learn how to use written materials. (And they will have fun learning!) More advanced students can learn about blues and jazz improvisation, slide guitar and also participate in blues jams with other students, record, and You Tube video production.

*** Studio Equipment ***
All kinds of guitar and bass guitar equipment and portable hard disc recording equipment for student demo recordings.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Students need a well functioning guitar, music stand, guitar tuner and metronome. Students will also need a notebook to organize written lessons I will hand out.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in blues and jazz mostly, but also have vast knowledge of rock music from it's blues roots to the more modern styles. I also can play in country style, and I play blues slide guitar.

in M. Buck, where I first learned music theory and was inspired to be more studious with the guitar.

I have performed in rock/modern bands for 12 years as an electric guitarist and also for 4 years as a solo acoustic guitarist mixing Bossa Nova, Classical Guitar and original compositions into my performance repertoire.

*** Lesson Details ***
For Music Software Lessons - Logic Pro X , Ableton Live, Garageband, Pro Tools and Reason-

Topics I like to cover - capturing correct recording levels.....editing, adding effects/basic mixing, automation .....creating drum grooves with loops and midi drums..........songwriting and music theory.........Live capabilities using Ableton (for backing tracks and live performance)........Quick commands to easily navigate through software.....

For instrument lessons-
I'm a patient teacher that's passionate about guitar and helping students reach their musical goals whether they are casual players or serious musicians. For beginners, I use Hal Leonard instructional guitar books along with paper handouts and sheet music. I believe it's important for everyone to learn the fundamentals of music to create a strong base of skills in order to continue playing and learning music throughout one's life. For more experienced players, I like to teach various modern rock/pop songs, classical guitar songs, picking patterns, finger picking patters, improvisation, scales and music theory. I teach nylon string acoustic, steel string acoustic guitar and electric guitar and bass
I believe the most basic goal for a guitar student is to be able to play a song in it's entirety, whether it's by themselves or with other musicians/music students. I believe that some of the most important music skills are learned while actually playing with other musicians. It is crucial when learning an instrument to be able to play in 'real time'; playing music with a steady sense of rhythm.

*** Specialties ***
I teach Classical Guitar, Brazilian Jazz, bass guitar, rock, pop, blues, funk and folk guitar using method books, sheet music and guitar tablature.

composition Ryan is an avid composer, composing for various genres and ensembles. Among these genres Ryan’s specialty is composing new musical theater works/songwriting. In 2010 he joined the Academy of New Musical Theater and with that organization he composed his first musical theater piece Shoot Ma! which premiered at the Colony Theater in Burbank. In 2011 he composed his second musical Experience Magic! A Musical Within a Magic Show, which premiered at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in 2012.

gside a song you love or reading through a classical concerto, I’ll help prepare you or your child to tackle a wide variety of styles, without missing out on any of the basics that turn good players into phenomenal musicians. We all know it’s not about being the best. It’s about having fun, and playing music well is definitely fun. Music lessons include:

1. Building a really strong foundation so it's easy to interpret or understand any part, and to play it with the right amount of practice.

2. Learning to sight-read music, so you can play it well as soon as possible.

3. Learning how to improvise (make-up) music, learn music by ear, and to understand and create chords, which lets you play music in different ways.

4. Play different styles from classical to jazz to popular music.

5. Learning how to practice efficiently so you can learn music as fast as possible.

6. Composing our own original music.

Practice makes perfect! Learning an instrument helps build self-confidence and discipline. If your child’s bored, distracted, or just needs a constructive hobby, music is a great place to get them interested in something that will help them feel better about themselves, and the effects will be felt across everything else they do, through better studying habits to a more patient, diligent work ethic.

It’s also relaxing! Stressed about work? Need an escape? Everybody has the power to learn an instrument. Seriously, there’s no such thing as “talent.” Just start lessons and get practicing! It really is that simple, and I’ll guide you through every step of the way.

I have a diverse background teaching students of all ages, from 3-year-olds to retirees alike, customizing what we learn to the individual student. We’ll learn how to read music just as easily as you read words; improvise and compose music of our own; and feel good playing any style: classical, jazz, rock, and all. My experience as a working musician in films, musical theater, and pop music, as well as classical concert music, allows me to appreciate and teach styles that many other instructors overlook, and I know full well that learning an instrument is not about becoming a professional; it’s about being able to connect to others or oneself through music… and also to just have fun! There’s no need to learn music we don’t like! It’s not about stuffing Beethoven into your kids’ ears… we just want to make music, be that Beethoven or Billy Joel.

Learning an instrument is one of those few skills that will genuinely last you your whole life. I don’t want to sugarcoat it: it takes time to learn an instrument. It takes practice, and sometimes it’s frustrating. But the results are well worth it.

Now get out there and make some music! But start by signing up for lessons. I can’t wait to get started!

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“What’s that chord?” “Why does all my music sound the same?” “How do I fix this voicing?” “I just can’t get it out of my head!” …sound familiar? You’ve probably hit a rut. Or maybe you’re just starting out. Either way, you want your music to sound new, exciting, and to come out exactly how you hear it in your head. Yes… you CAN learn to compose music, you CAN learn to be more creative, and you CAN learn to share your sound with the world.

Film music, classical, jazz… whatever your interest, all music comes from the same place, and by learning a handful of basic concepts, you can apply these to whatever style you’re trying to write. Learning to emulate another musician involves knowing what they’re doing. Learning to create a groundbreaking sound requires that you know what’s already been done, and how to achieve it. Step by step, we’ll work our way there.

We’ll learn how to write cool, interesting chord progressions, how to write beautiful melodies, and how to voice chords. We’ll learn how to control the mood of our music, from making it sound relaxed to adding tension wherever we want. Maybe you’re trying to write for an orchestra, or just a small band. By learning the basics, you can then easily break away from what’s been done and come up with something truly new… the goal of any aspiring composer!

ate long term constructive relationships. Worked as a Music coach with kids in the spectrum (Asperger Syndrome).

ts the same lessons and experiences that have influenced me throughout my journey.

mpany that I direct and sing in as well. So I'm a performer, and a small business owner! So come see what I can offer!

a dean's list honoree while attending the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music (NYC) I have been awarded with the America-Israel Culture Fund's "Exellence in Jazz Guitar" award as well as many scholarships for various prestigious musical institutions around the world.

I'm happy to teach at both my apt. in West Hollywood or the student's home.