
Van Nuys, CA Percussion Lessons
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About Azuri M.
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Drum Kit - - -
A variety of styles
About Azuri
Art is one of the most important tools we have as a culture and contains in it a shared history, tradition and the keys to future ones. Whether it be through the primal qualities of music or the impulses of dance, the records of drawing or descriptions of writing, these are the tools for our expression. I have had the great fortune to study, in many different settings, a small piece of these traditions and sharing them is paramount in respect to receiving them. I love sharing knowledge and I hope to elevate yours as a st
Teaching Philosophy -
My teaching philosophy is built on well rounded communication, explanation and examples. So, that a student can truly understand and learn a topic, surrounded in a very humorous, light and supportive environment.
Along with being provided good information, a student learns better and feels more motivated to learn when there is a balance of positive support and confidence building accompanied by constructive criticism and examples/information that can help a student assess what ever walls they may be meeting in their musical growth.
I understand that all students/artists have different goals they wish to achieve. So it is very important to me to accommodate each individuals needs and wants to help them grow in the fields they wish too; However, In that I have played music for a long time, I understand there are certain things that a student may not have been exposed to yet; It is important that while focusing on a students artistic goals they respect and are open to the suggestion and guidance of their teacher.
I truly believe music has an amazing influence on the world and has the ability to change peoples way of thinking. Therefore, I try and keep an open awareness to all music, so that I can understand all different musical languages utilized to communicate to people, and I don't believe I will ever know them all. I hold it to attention to influence my students somewhat similarly so that they can shape the landscape of how we communicate musically in the future.
I also try and be very patient with my students. Knowing that when I feel rushed, it makes information more difficult to comprehend, remember and allocate. I love watching the gears run in my students head, so I try and provide information that pushes a student but is within their abilities.
HUMOR is very important. I like to break people out of their shell by telling a joke and hopefully getting one back, so they feel more comfortable and free. One of a Artists worst enemies are nerves. Keeping things light-hearted and maybe even a little small talk can be very helpful to a students development and growth on a topic. After all, Art is meant to be fun and we should enjoy every moment of it, in fact we should enjoy every moment in life period.
I understand music requires focus and discipline and I have certain expectation of a student to understand that and practice. You can't buy chops, you can't buy music theory etc. you can get help but eventually your the one who must understand it and play it.
I am here to help you. Based on what I know and what I have extensively studied, I will do all that I can to help you achieve your musical goals. I am here to answer your questions and help you grow. I love teaching because I love sharing knowledge; As long as your seek it, it is here for you. Otherwise, I'd still love to hear some jokes.
Education -
MUSIC
_Bachelors in Music - 2016 - Guitar Performance (Musicians Institute, CA)
_Associates in Music - 2011 - Guitar Performance (Musicians Institute, CA)
_Major in Music - (Academy for Visual and Performing Arts) - 2008
_Garden of Angels - 2003 - Performance Academy
DANCE
_Krump, Pop-n-Lock - 2012 - (Xtreme)
_Break Dancing - 2011 - (Fun.Krew)
_Traditional Brazilian Dance & Samba - 2014
MARTIAL ARTS
_Capoeira - Current - (Capoeira Batuque with Mestre Amen)
_Wing Tsun - 2013 - (Johnny from the Emin Boztepe School)
ART
_Graffiti - 2011 - (Fun.Krew)
_General Art - 2008 - (AVPA)
_Painting - 2003 - (Garden of Angels)
Much Love,
Azuri Zen M.
*** Lesson Details ***
I'm very disciplined but am also very light hearted. It's important for me to assess things seriously, so that one can understand a topic or piece of information.
I generate my lessons based on the individuals needs and therefore draw from various curriculums, sources and examples, such as : MI curriculum for ear training, Theory, Single string Technique, Reading, Rhythm guitar, Ted Greenes Chord Chemistry, Berklee Guitar Method, as well as The Real Book, other artist books(Eric Clapton, etc.) The Guitar Players Hand Book, Bach pieces and self developed curriculums, relative to the topic at hand and students personal goals, amongst many others.
-Beginning students within three months of consistent lessons should have the ability to solo and playing chords to songs that they are interested in and songs provided in the lesson along with a basic understanding of the major scale and its relationship to all of the diatonic music.
-intermediate students should have an elevated understanding of scale and chord patters along with the theory that explains modal relationships and use of these concepts.
-Advanced students should learn all of diatonic scale shapes and modes assuming they don't already know them in which case their specifically situation will be assessed
-Professional students I expect to have specific questions therefore where they grow should be largely subjective.
Overall, in a short amount of time on a scale of 1 - 10 I expect to in three months at-least elevate a students musical abilities one full point if not more.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Studio in home in private room with guitars, amps, piano, and seating.
Em's studio is family owned cafe with studio in finished basement with an office, recording equipment, and teaching space for acting and guitar.
*** Specialties ***
As a Musician I try and play as many styles and be proficient in as many as possible and therefore can play most. However, in the fields of blues, jazz, funk, flamenco and Latin I excel.
Reviews

· Graffiti · Online

· Singing · In home

· Singing · In home

Azuri M.
About Edwin I.
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Classical Percussion
Proper technique
Repertoire
Music analysis
About Edwin
I am a professional teacher/studio musician/performer/producer with over 17 years of private teaching experience and a graduate of the University of Miami Studio Music and Jazz program in 2002 specializing in the guitar.
I am available to teach guitar(acoustic, electric, classical) for all levels, ages, and styles(pop to folk, rock to soul, world to classical) in English, Spanish and Japanese.
Other subjects taught include bass guitar, piano/keyboard, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, harmonium, classical percussion, music theory, composition(all styles from pop to classical), ear training, and studio production/engineering/mixing.
Born in Cali, Colombia on April 1979, I began my musical endeavors studying the piano at the age of 6. Early on I had the opportunit
During 1996-98 I studied jazz guitar at the New World School of the Arts music program under the direction of J.B. Dyas and Dr. Roby George. Upon graduation, I was immediately accepted to the University of Miami jazz guitar program under the direction of Randall Dollahan. It was during this time that I also refined my skills as a classical guitarist and as a composer/arranger. In addition, I began passing my knowledge onto friends and eventually began working as a teacher.
My ability to play almost any genre of music is the fruit of past experience playing with an impressive variety of music groups, including jazz combos, symphony orchestras, Andean world music ensembles, and several rock and pop groups as well. As a studio guitarist I have recorded for various artists including Jaci Velasquez, Carlos Ponce, Alexandre Pires, and Noelia.
*** Lesson Details ***
Now also available to teach online video chat lessons through Skype.
Every one of you is unique and there are many possible paths to reach your goals in music.
With my background and music industry experience, I am able to customize my lessons for you so that you can reach your desired goals. We will take some time to find out where your passion lies in music and I will use my experience and knowledge to create a customized lesson-plan that will allow us to focus on reaching your desired goals and at the same time maintain a well rounded music education.
I find this to be key in making the lessons and your practice sessions very enjoyable, fun and laid back - knowing that everything we practice, play and talk about is in line with your goals as a student.
I will also be playing along with you and demonstrating everything that we're working on - music is meant to be shared and played with others and it is important to have that experience of interaction from early on in your lessons.
So whether it's learning to accompany yourself or others, write songs, read music, understand harmony, solo, or just jam out to your favorite songs, you will be well on your way to reaching your goals within 6 months of my lessons.
Look forward to making music with you!
Want to learn a quick exercise for mastering the fretboard on your guitar? Check out my article on the TakeLessons blog here: http://takelessons.com/blog/guitar-fretboard-chart
*** Studio Equipment ***
Living room w/ grand piano and seating for parents.
Room/studio with professional recording equipment - Logic Pro X recording software, Mackie HR824 Studio Monitors, Miktech C4 Tube Microphone, UA6176 Preamp/compressor, Apogee Duet D/A converter.
*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide my instrument and teaching materials.
Students provide their instrument, music folders.
*** Specialties ***
All styles - pop, rock, classical, jazz, blues, folk, ethnic, latin, soul
Reviews
· Ukulele · Online

· Guitar · In studio

· Piano · Online

Edwin I.
About Mike S.
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I teach how to read rhythms and how to groove!
About Mike
*** Lesson Details ***
I am very enthusiastic and can teach students how to read. If they do not want to read music, they can learn to play by ear. I can also show them where to put their fingers. During piano lessons, I often accompany students on guitar and suggest a scale for improvisation, so they can play the blues. During drum lessons, I often play bass so they can learn to groove.
*** Travel Equipment ***
They should have their own instrument and a music stand.
*** Spec
I specialize in jazz improvisation on piano and guitar.
I also teach recreational guitar and piano for adults, including classical and blues styles.
I coach bass players and drummers in playing stylistically correct grooves for jazz, rock and latin music.
Reviews

· Guitar · In studio

· Piano · In studio

· Piano · In home
Mike makes learning music so much fun. My daughter enjoyed the lessons and enjoyed the pieces he taught her. She is now pretty good at improv as well.
I actually took guitar lessons from Mike too, and I learned so much in a very short time.
When Mike is giving lessons, there's no time wasted. My daughter was always playing something during the lesson.
So Mike's enthusiasm for music is infectious. The kids will enjoy him, the lesson, and the music.
Thanks, Mike!

Mike S.
About Joan Q.
ClosePercussion is such a fun subject because of all the instruments you get to play! Whether you just want to learn congas, bongos, cajon, cowbell, or all of them, I'll guide you through the basic patterns, help you develop technique and improvisation ideas, and jam together during our lessons.
I have been teaching percussion for over 10 years. My lessons focus on technique and playing along with popular songs. Lessons will adjust according to the student's level, pace, and goals. If you'd like to learn all basic percussion instruments, we can develop a rotating schedule per instrument.
My goal for my students is to have an understanding on how to use their instrument, develop versatility, discover who they are as a musician, become independent learners, while having fun along the way!
About Joan
Joan earned her Bachelors of Music in Percussion Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU Long Beach.
Studio Equipment:
Drumset, congas, bongos, cajon, vibraphone, auxiliary percussion.
Specialties:
All styles of drumset, hand percussion.
Reviews

· Drum · In home

· Drum · In home

· Drum · In home
Joan Q.
About Eli H.
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About Eli
Growing up in a musical household resulted in an early start to Eli’s musical career. It allowed him to become a studio and live drummer at the age of 14, and has been performing and recording ever since.
Selected for the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Arts, Eli then continued his musical education by attaining a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The Cincinnati College Conservatory of music.
Eli Has been Teaching for over 20 years and is always looking forward to teaching new students how to be a better musician.
*** Lesson Details ***
Rock to Jazz, Gospel to Latin, from brand new beginner to advanced student, study DRUMS,
You will get to play on your instrument EVERY LESSON, and I will have you rocking out to your favorite songs in no time at all.
I am currently accepting new students:
I differ from many of the other teachers offering music lessons
in a number of ways:
Playing and teaching are
two distinctly different crafts and I strive for excellence in both.
My passion for music is boundless and I am adept at motivating my students to achieve their personal musical goals whatever they may be.
I offer 1/2 hour or hour lessons in your Home or at my studio.
BFA - From Cincinnati Conservatory Music
• 20+ years experience
*** Studio Equipment ***
2 Drum sets, guitar, bass and ukulele, recording equipment to record your lessons if requested
Â
*** Travel Equipment ***
GUITAR
If teaching Guitar i will provide my guitar but the student should have his/her own guitar.
UKULELE
I will provide my own Ukulele but the student should have his/her own Ukulele
.
BASS
I will provide my own Bass but the student should have his/her own Bass guitar.
DRUMS
Student must have a drum-set or snare drum to work on at their home.
PERCUSSION
Student must have some percussion instruments to learn on.
recording equipment to record you lessons if requested
*** Specialties ***
Drum: beginner - professional Guitar and Bass: beginner- intermediate
I can teach a variety of styles from Jazz to Metal to Bossa Nova and Cumbia. Ukulele Beginner-Intermediate I have been playing in many different bands both live and in the studio since the age of 14.
So I can cover a lot of ground when it comes to concepts and genres.
Reviews

· Music Theory · In home

· ·

· ·
My son is 4 years old and has only had two sessions with Eli however, he does a very good job of communicating with him on his level and keeping his focus. He also has given him practice exercises which seem to do the trick.

Eli H.
About Danny B.
CloseAbout Danny
In a teaching situation I try and provide a relaxed and friendly environment in order to learn a students strengths and weaknesses. I want students to be able to learn at their own pace, and not to worry if they think they are not learning quickly enough.
I generally work as a for hire musician playing for various acts in the styles of rock, funk, blues, jazz, and even movie scores.
I have toured throughout California and have had the privilege to open for such artists as A Flock of Seagulls, Jennifer Leitham, Daniel Glass, and Jack Sheldon.
I have recorded drums for movies including Stomp the Yard, and Obsessed; played with acts such as Big Dave LIttle, Brett Copeland, and Kenji Igus. I have played with such jazz musicians including Richard Simon and Roger
I attended the AVPA from 2006 to 2009 and have a degree in Psychology.
*** Lesson Details ***
In the lesson setting I want the student to become as comfortable with the drums as possible. I like to maintain a relaxed environment, allowing the student to move at his or her own pace. This in mind, I believe the fundamentals are the most important to learn.
Students will first learn the basic hand techniques needed for accomplished drum playing, before moving on to more complex ideas behind groove, and feel. Reading music and keeping effective time will be emphasized in early lessons.
I also like to teach students that drums are a musical instrument that is typically played with other musicians. A student will learn how to play and interact well with other musicians in a variety of musical settings.
I use a combination of books for teaching including:
Syncopation by Ted Reed
The All-American Drummer by Charley Wilcoxon
The Drummer's Bible by Mick Berry and Jason Gianni
Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone
I will also use various drum charts and exercises as well as the use of videos and recordings.
After 3 to 6 months a student will be able to read drum notation and rhythms at a competent level and will be able to play basic drum beats on the drum kit as well as have a basic understanding of how to play with other musicians in various styles of music.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Equipment includes two drumsets, drum pads, sticks, and instructional material.
*** Travel Equipment ***
Can bring drums if necessary, would prefer to bring a drum pad.
Expect the student to have drums.
*** Specialties ***
Rock, Jazz, Funk, Blues
Reviews

· Drum · In home
Danny B.
About Matthew S.
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Matthew Smith is a freelance musician from San Diego California and began playing musically professionally in 2001. Matthew attended California State Fullerton where he earned a bachelors degree in jazz studies in 2012, currently Matthew is pursuing his masters degree at CalArts in jazz drum set.
Goals in teaching percussion
1. Fun
2. Reading and sight reading music (notes and rhythms)
3. Rudiments, technique and sticking
4.
About Matthew
My name is Matthew Smith and I love music and I love to teach it even more. Although my upbringing is in jazz and classical music, I am very fluent in latin, hiphop, rock, pop and more world music as well.

Matthew S.
About William B.
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I've been a percussionist in various capacities for the past 12 years, and I've been performing for nearly as long. I graduated from Berklee College of Music in the Percussion department as a Music Education/Music Performance dual major. I'm well-versed in a wide variety of percussive subjects and genres, and I play drum set, timpani, mallet instruments, snare drum, and all sorts of auxiliary percussion instruments. Beyond my private lesson experience, I've also had experience as a drum line captain, a percussion section leader, and a percussion teacher at the high school level. I'm both prepared and happy to teach my prospective students whatever percussive subjects they want to learn.
About William
*** Lesson Details ***
I'm an easy-going guy, so I won't push you very hard unless you
Excepting students of all ages and all levels in and around the greater Twin Cities area.
*** Travel Equipment ***
Students must provide their own instruments and have something available to take notes with, but I will provide materials and anything else that is needed.
*** Specialties ***
I specialize in Drum Set, all genres, but my strongest ones are Rock, Jazz, and Latin styles. I can teach lessons through advanced levels on drums of all sorts and percussion. I can teach or tutor Music Theory to a very high level as well. I am also proficient enough to teach beginner-intermediate piano.
Reviews

· Music Performance · In home
They both enjoy lessons--and they're learning!

· Drum ·
I have had lessons for a month with Billy, and will continue to study with him in future. He is an excellent teacher. Nothing to neat pick, everything is just amazing. He taught every single details of what I should know about drumming, recommended a really helpful textbook to me, and even helped to make my practice a great fun other than a dull work for a beginner. I really appreciate those. If someone is expecting to have an effective and pleasing learning experience, just go ahead try to work with Billy. It is absolutely worth the time and effort. Hope that'd be helpful.

William B.
About Brianna S.
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Every student's lesson can be different. But some of the main points we will hit are:rudiments, technique on various percussion instrument (snare, bass, keyboards, timpani, etc.) Ear training for tuning on timpani and scales for the keyboards and mallet instruments.
If you need services for any other instruments, please make sure you have access to them. These lessons are only offered in the student's home
About Brianna
History has always fascinated me. The way our world has developed and changed and continues to evolve is amazing. Everything can be tied back to the past, and I feel it's important to take a look back, put yourself in that time, and really study how things were to help understand why things are the way they are now.
Crocheting and knitting are a couple of good habits/hobbies I picked up about 10 years ago. I sell scarves online and I'm always working on some sort of project. I will have you knitting and pearling with the best of them!
Music, history, crochet, and knitting....I'm your girl!
Reviews

· Knitting · Online

· Singing · In studio
She was encouraging and positive. She
tailored lessons to fit the range, talent and
interest of the student.
I would recommend her strongly.

· Crocheting · Online

Brianna S.
About Mariano L.
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My experience as a performer and teacher spans over 25 years of every musical style. I believe in creating an environment that is focused on playing music well and where the student can have fun while gaining confidence. It is important to develop functional musicians with good technique, reading, time, and listening skills. We can cover all styles of music from early music to rock/pop, including jazz, classical (including orchestral), and other percussion as desired.
About Mariano
Reviews

· Drum · In home

· Percussion · In home

· Drum · In home

Mariano L.
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