Santa Ysabel Music Lessons

ve as these things are important regardless of your favorite music.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons are held with a fun and relaxed attitude. Learning music should always be enjoyable and a good attitude and love for music is cultured and encouraged.

Lessons are structured just like a practice session should be. We will begin with a warm-up exercise designed to acquaint you with the proper technique to meet your personal musical goals. the next activities are highly personalized, but is usually something like reading music or a music theory game. These activities are things that are good for you but may not be your favorite part of learning music. They will, however, go a long way toward your better understanding of how your favorite music is structured.

Examples could be learning about 12 bar blues, common strum patterns (for guitar), scales, sight-reading, or music analysis.

We will spend the rest of class learning and practicing an activity of your choice. This is usually a song but can be anything you wish to improve upon. this is usually a long-term goal of yours. *I've always wanted to learn......*

By structuring our lessons the same as how you will practice, and by keeping good notes, it will be easy for you to take on practice at home and achieve all of your musical goals!

*** Travel Equipment ***
Students should have their own guitar/piano/keyboard etc. Guitar/violin students should also have a music stand and tuner to keep at home. I will bring picks, spare tuner, music, and handouts.

*** Specialties ***
I primarily specialize in classical piano in styles such as Muzio Clementi and Frederic Chopin. I also play Bach and various Spanish classical guitar pieces. I have also extensively studied electric guitar in Blues such ZZ Top, Metal such as Metallica, and rock such as Led Zeppelin. I have also studied Irish and Celtic folk music for instruments such as Mandolin and Violin.

***
Because mother was a piano teacher for over 30 years with contagious passion for music (teaching while I was in the womb and an infant), music was inevitable. At age 5, I began performing solo and in ensembles, and since age 6, I've been a part of the church choir, school ensemble and later the school band, and orchestra. As I entered high school, I decided to become more active and take leadership in the ensembles. I became the Concert Mistress of the symphonic and string orchestra and held onto my first chair until graduation. I also participated in the San Jose Philharmonic Orchestra, as first violinist. I was a first violinist of the Korean American Music Supporters Association (KAMSA), performing a concert at the Disney Concert Hall. Since 1997, I have won countless awards from CWC Annual Music Competitions, California Music Education Association, KTVN Bay Area Annual Music Competitions, Prospect-Westmont String Orchestra voted Most Outstanding Instrumentalist, and passed all levels in both piano and violin in Certificate of Merit (CM) Tests.
I moved to San Diego to study Music Performance at University of California-San Diego. I became the Concert Mistress of the UCSD Chamber Orchestra and look forward to continuing my education for Music Performance, Music Education, and Music Therapy. In my music career, I've worked in senior communities as the music director, conducted orchestras and ensembles, formed and performed in duets, trios, and quartets, in public and private concerts, weddings, nursing homes, etc. I also am a part of an indie rock/bluegrass band (voice and fiddle) recording and performing, as well as a classic rock band (voice, keyboard, violin). In my free time, I compose and transpose for myself as well as for my students who would like to learn an easier version of a piece, different genres like pop songs, movie soundtracks, TV shows, favorite artists, etc.

*** Lesson Plan ***
Mix and match genres and lesson elements: Classical, contemporary, jazz, soundtrack, rock, pop, folk, ensemble, solo, theory, sight-reading, technique, Suzuki, Hanon, etc.
My main priority in every lesson is to make learning an instrument fun and comfortable. I have a plan mapped out for every lesson, for every student. Depending on the student's age, level and preference of genre, I pick out books suitable for each student, and also ask the student to bring in a piece or book they would like to work on. I find it important to make every lesson enjoyable, so it is crucial that the student enjoys the homework assigned when they leave the lesson. I usually begin the lesson with warm-ups, scales, music theory, then continue with reviewing past homework, focusing on posture, rhythm, technique, etc. Lastly, we will sight-read and preview the next pieces to be assigned for homework. Pace is set mostly by the student and how much they practice, but I will always nudge the student to improve in musicianship and posture after every lesson, with patience and perseverance.
[There will be an annual/semi-annual recital, optional but highly recommended for all students!]

** SPECIAL NOTE FOR BEGINNERS **
If your child is a beginner, we will take turns picking songs (i.e. one week "Pirates of the Caribbean" and the next week "Minuet in G" by Bach) to ensure that they practice. I utilize stickers and goal-oriented tasks to have fun and encourage students to maintain their interest and also hold them accountable.
If you're a beginner adult, I will require more self-discipline from you, but you will not be excluded from sticker rewards. ;) We will still pick songs and genres you want to play, with classical and recognizable folk songs to cover the basics.
Whether you are 3 or 83 years old, I look forward to helping you play any instrument with comfort and enjoyment, with the right posture and techniques.

Lesson Details ***
I want the student to have fun with music, and rather than focusing on scales and tedious exercises, I have my students learn technique and music theory more from the actual music (Not to say that learning and practicing scales isn't important, but it is much more useful in the long run to have actual musical melodies and riffs that you can play, and that you know how to take them and use in different musical situations).

I try and be as flexible with the student as possible, as I know we all have different goals and amounts of time that we can dedicate, but I believe that even if someone just wants to learn some basic guitar playing, that a little understanding music theory will help them go a lot further.

Regardless, the student should be able to learn the music they want to play, and I will go out of my way to try and find/learn the music you want. I will even transcribe or write my own arrangement if I can't find a suitable one, or to make a simpler version that the student can learn. I believe the student should be able to access and interact with the type of music they want to learn early on, as this will help keep the student interested while at the same time teaching him/her the elements of music and guitar.

As I want the students to be able to interact with the music as early as possible, I will always try and find ways that we can play together, and I will even make recordings so they can practice playing with someone even when they are at home. I also will periodically record the student so that they can not only get the experience playing and recording, but so that they can also look back on their progress, as well as having something they can show their friends/family.

While I mostly play classical, rock/metal, and jazz, I can help students with a large variety of styles, including blues, r & b, and pop music. I also believe that learning different styles and how to take the elements from each that you like and make them your own will lead to a greater mastery of the instrument, regardless of which style you prefer to actually play.

I recommend that my students practice at least thirty minutes a day if they want to see consistent progress, although in the beginning they may not be able to practice that much until they develop calluses on the fingertips. Of course, if they can practice more, that would be great, but I understand that with everything else going on, it isn't always possible to practice every day or for everyone to put the same time into it.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Guitars, guitar amplifiers, music stands, computer/audio workstation for recording and notating/printing music, microphones, mixer, studio monitors, etc.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Guitar, amp when needed, music/paper, possibly a music stand

en the songwriter, arranger, and bandleader for several original music groups. Stress Factor Zero combines rock with funk and jazz. Cloud Ex is an acoustic group combining Afro Cuban and Peruvian percussion with folk rock songs. His most recent band Stratosphere is a modern rock and funk band for artistic rockers and visionaries. They blend diverse styles of rock music with a fiery blaze of Latin percussion, sensuous saxophones, and poetic melodies with a message. Their first CD received radio airplay on over forty stations across the U.S. and Canada, and they are currently working on their third CD. Stratosphere performs throughout Southern California and is currently setting up several short tours in various cities across the U.S., Europe, and South America.

*** Lesson Details ***
Well structured lesson plan covering all aspects of music, specifically designed to help you reach your individual goals.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Acoustic piano, full keyboard, 4 guitars, bass, amps, microphones, Pro Tools recording equipment, and seating for parents

*** Styles ***
Rock, funk, jazz, country, blues, fusion, folk, R&B, and classical

es. In 1982, I became interested in classic rock and founded my band, The Mar Dels. During my time with the band, I’ve learned and performed many classic rock hits. One of the best-known dance/party bands in San Diego, the Mar Dels continue to play at private and public events locally, nationally, and globally.

*** Lesson Details ***
I give my guitar students a solid background in right and left hand technique. This includes finger picking technique for the right hand as well as flat picking. It’s important for students develop a correct left hand position, if they wish to continue to play for many years without injury to the left hand. It’s also very important to young students who may wish to move into classical music. Most classical guitar music can’t be played well with a standard rock left hand technique, but all rock music can be played very well with a good classical left hand technique. 

Most of the studies I use with my students are songs, scales and arpeggios from my personal library, so it won’t be necessary for my students to buy any books right away. However, if students want some additional materials to review, I can suggest some titles.

I emphasize the quality of sound that the student produces with the instrument. Many musicians feel that playing a piece of music is like running a 100-yard dash. I prefer that my students play at a comfortable tempo and create beautiful sounds, rather than rushing through a song simply to show an ability to play fast. I feel that it’s very important to practice any new piece or exercise at a slow tempo till it can be played well with relaxed hands. When the tempo is gradually increased, one acquires beauty with speed.

Within the first three months, the average student should be able to play some open position chords, bar chords, and arpeggios, and be able to improvise over a chord progression using four or more notes from at least one pentatonic scale. I like my students to learn at least one guitar solo (a piece that features guitar either solo or with accompaniment) within six months that they could play for their friends or parents. If the student’s goal is to use the guitar to accompany their voice, they can learn to sing and play at the same time. This is a special skill that takes time to master, and is something that I have done for years. I’m happy to share my ideas on how to develop this skill with my students.

Ultimately, the progress of the student depends on their talent level and their desire to acquire skills. If a student is interested in only one style of playing, I am happy to focus on it; however, I have a very broad skill set on the guitar and I like my students to develop as many techniques as possible.

*** Equipment ***
Depending on the student’s interest, I bring either a steel string or a classical guitar, and I prefer that the student also have an appropriate instrument. If it’s an introductory lesson for a beginning student, I can bring an instrument for them to use for the lesson.

*** Specialties ***
Since 1982 I have played guitar in The Mar Dels, a popular dance and party band so I am familiar with most pop, blues & rock styles of playing.

I have always loved the classical guitar and I am especially interested in good technique and tonal quality.

r favorite venues. Many of my students have gone on to sing professionally and I currently teach Artists with ongoing careers.

My motto is learn to sing the "Easy, Natural Way". I teach the very best techniques, so vocalizing is not strained or difficult. My main focus is on teaching good "placement" of the sound, using the best ways to secure breath support and control, as well as good stage presence. Dealing with stage fright is always addressed, whether the singer wants to sing just for themselves, or audition for Musical Theatre productions. Styles range from pop to rock and opera.
I teach students of ALL AGES and work with every style or genre of music. Having spearheaded the Music program at the local YMCA has been a special treat in my teaching career!

*** Studio Equipment ***
I teach using a piano for learning vocal exercises and good techniques. I also have an acoustic Guitar that I use to teach my students how to play and learn good finger picking and strumming techniques. Using a computer is always employed, to pull up songs on YouTube, so students can choose what they would like to work on. Karaoke versions are used as well, for further training purposes.

*** Travel Equipment ***
When I teach at a student's home, I bring my Guitar with me, if they're studying this instrument. It is helpful for a student to have a piano or keyboard for me to teach voice, but I do have a keyboard I can bring if none is available. Having a computer close by is very helpful, to get the most out of the lesson as is possible.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in helping people who have created possible "bad habits" in their singing techniques. "Placement" and breathing, or "support", are of key importance. When good techniques are used, just about anyone can learn to sing beautifully. I also work with all ages, having background with Children, as well as teens, middle age, and elderly vocalists. Singing is universal, so every ethnicity is included in my student roster. If someone wants to learn to play the acoustic Guitar, this is always a plus, to accompany ones-self, or to focus on the instrument on it's own. Singing and playing should be "easy" and this is the approach I take in teaching.

d the News
Maceo Parker
They Might Be Giants
Lyle Lovett
Ratdog (Bob Weir)
Chaka Khan
Los Lobos
Ben Harper

Jazz & Acid Jazz:

George Benson
Charlie Hunter
Michael Brecker
Roy Haynes Trio
Count Basie Orchestra
Bela Fleck & the Flecktones
Wayne Shorter
Yellowjackets

Blues:

B.B. King
Jonny Lang
Buddy Guy
Koko Taylor
Lonnie Mack
Etta James
…and many more

In the studio, Tom has recorded on countless TV & Radio commercials including:

McDonald's
Coca-Cola
Disney
Budweiser
Sears
Buick
Gatorade
State Farm
Ford Motor Co.
Miller Brewing Co.
…and many many more.

Tom has also played on many CDs receiving local and international acclaim. In 2001 Tom garnered a GRAMMY NOMINATION for his work with the Chicago based band Liquid Soul.

He has written and performed on music for TV and has even recorded on a few tracks that have hit the Billboard charts.

become the musician you want to be.