Cambridge, MA Banjo Lessons
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Popular Banjo Teachers near Cambridge, MA
Check out some of our most popular teachers near Cambridge, MA including Brighton, Allston, Somerville, New Town and Medford.
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About Aaron D.
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I specialize in teaching Clawhammer style and 3 finger "Scruggs" style.
About Aaron
Hello fellow and future musicians, and thanks for checking out my profile!
To tell you a little about myself, I was exposed to music at a very young age since my dad was a musician. I first picked up the drums at the age of 5, and took piano lessons for a year when I was 6. I later played the saxophone in 4th grade, and finally discovered the guitar when I was 9. (Ironic since my dad is a guitarist and the guitar was around the house forever!) He showed me my first chords and really got me started on the instrument, and I played in several local bands in high school playing a range of musical styles from rock, blues, funk, and reggae. I really didn't take music seriously until I was in college, and began studying under Jerry Coelho, a member of the very first graduating class of the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA, and
To tell you a little about myself, I was exposed to music at a very young age since my dad was a musician. I first picked up the drums at the age of 5, and took piano lessons for a year when I was 6. I later played the saxophone in 4th grade, and finally discovered the guitar when I was 9. (Ironic since my dad is a guitarist and the guitar was around the house forever!) He showed me my first chords and really got me started on the instrument, and I played in several local bands in high school playing a range of musical styles from rock, blues, funk, and reggae. I really didn't take music seriously until I was in college, and began studying under Jerry Coelho, a member of the very first graduating class of the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA, and
Dominic Castillo, a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, who was a student of Jerry's as well. After studying under these talented musicians, I went on to pursue my education in music and received my BA in Music from San Jose State University in 2004. I started teaching music privately during my time with Jerry and Dominic and continued to teach during college up until the present, and have taught hundreds of students since. I now live in San Diego where I teach, work as a freelance musician, and play in local funk/jazz/rock group Science Fiction Jazz and gypsy/kickstomp outfit Quel Bordel!
*** Lesson Details ***
I am a very easy going, friendly individual who believes that learning music is built upon a strong relationship between teacher and student. This relationship involves good communication, honesty, open mindedness, and most importantly the desire to LEARN and have FUN. I approach teaching music by knowing and understanding the student's musical goals, and teaching fundamentals, theory, and technique through the style(s) of music that the student wants to learn. For beginners, I tend to teach basic techniques and chords through simple songs to get the student playing music as quickly as possible.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Living Room: couches, table and TV, music stand, student can borrow instrument for first lesson, parents can sit in on lesson
*** Specialties ***
My main musical styles that I perform and teach are rock, blues, jazz, funk, R&B, and reggae. I studied jazz in college so I also have extensive knowledge of jazz theory.
*** Lesson Details ***
I am a very easy going, friendly individual who believes that learning music is built upon a strong relationship between teacher and student. This relationship involves good communication, honesty, open mindedness, and most importantly the desire to LEARN and have FUN. I approach teaching music by knowing and understanding the student's musical goals, and teaching fundamentals, theory, and technique through the style(s) of music that the student wants to learn. For beginners, I tend to teach basic techniques and chords through simple songs to get the student playing music as quickly as possible.
*** Studio Equipment ***
Living Room: couches, table and TV, music stand, student can borrow instrument for first lesson, parents can sit in on lesson
*** Specialties ***
My main musical styles that I perform and teach are rock, blues, jazz, funk, R&B, and reggae. I studied jazz in college so I also have extensive knowledge of jazz theory.
...
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· Music Performance · In studio
· Guitar · Online
· Ukulele · In home
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Aaron D.
Online
starting at
$30
/ 30-min
About Chris L.
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Fingerpicking and thumb pick banjo
About Chris
I have studied music for 26 years. Piano was my first instrument and I have taken classical lessons from an early age and studied jazz piano for 14 years. I play guitar at the same level as piano. I play jazz, classical, flamenco and rock guitar; acoustic, electric and 9-string electric. I have studied at University of North Texas, Musicians institute and have a bachelor's of music from UNM. I have a certification in early childhood education and love to teach children, as well as adults of all ages.
*** Lesson Details ***
I am very patient and flexible. I work with the student to design curriculum that is exciting and engaging for their individual level. Students enjoy studying with me because they can progress quickly if they practice and because I am easy to talk to and work with.
*** Studio Equipment ***
The In-Studio
*** Lesson Details ***
I am very patient and flexible. I work with the student to design curriculum that is exciting and engaging for their individual level. Students enjoy studying with me because they can progress quickly if they practice and because I am easy to talk to and work with.
*** Studio Equipment ***
The In-Studio
lessons are taught in the music room in the home which includes an 88 key weighted keyboard, 5 guitars, 3 amps
*** Travel Equipment ***
If I go to their house, I expect them to have their own instruments that they practice on during the week, a metronome, a tuner and the music books they are working on.
*** Specialties ***
I specialize in jazz, rock and classical music. I usually allow the students or their parents to choose their method books based on their interests and goals.
*** Travel Equipment ***
If I go to their house, I expect them to have their own instruments that they practice on during the week, a metronome, a tuner and the music books they are working on.
*** Specialties ***
I specialize in jazz, rock and classical music. I usually allow the students or their parents to choose their method books based on their interests and goals.
...
Reviews
· Guitar · In home
· Classical Guitar · In studio
· Piano · In studio
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Chris L.
Online
starting at
$25
/ 30-min
About Karen D.
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Banjo:
If country picking, blue grass, or even pop/rock is a favorite of yours then banjo is a really fun instrument to learn. As with all instruments I teach, we would start with basics and in no time the be picking and strumming away on songs you love. I also incorporate learning the notes, chords, theory, and picking, strumming, techniques and rhythms to become a well rounded musician.
About Karen
Anyone Can Learn To Sing or Play Any Instrument With My Method!
No End To How Good You Can Get!
Become Better Than Anyone Out There!
Vocal Therapist-Can Cure ALL Vocal Damage!
Karen D.
-Certified Teacher of the World Famous Dante Pavone Vocal Method
-Honor Graduate of Berklee School of Music!
-Winner of International World Contest for Meridan Records from over
300 Countries
-Runner up in Ticketmaster Contest
-Twenty Original Songs Placed in Movies
-Written and Recorded Hundreds of Original Songs
-Performer, Producer, Actress, Poet, Writer, Dancer, Entrepreneur
-Teaches Song Writing, Ear Training, Theory, Arranging
-Teaches Video Production and Editing
-Teaches Audio Engineering
It is completely untrue that some people are "born to sing or play an instrument" while others are not. Using my method, the most "tone de
No End To How Good You Can Get!
Become Better Than Anyone Out There!
Vocal Therapist-Can Cure ALL Vocal Damage!
Karen D.
-Certified Teacher of the World Famous Dante Pavone Vocal Method
-Honor Graduate of Berklee School of Music!
-Winner of International World Contest for Meridan Records from over
300 Countries
-Runner up in Ticketmaster Contest
-Twenty Original Songs Placed in Movies
-Written and Recorded Hundreds of Original Songs
-Performer, Producer, Actress, Poet, Writer, Dancer, Entrepreneur
-Teaches Song Writing, Ear Training, Theory, Arranging
-Teaches Video Production and Editing
-Teaches Audio Engineering
It is completely untrue that some people are "born to sing or play an instrument" while others are not. Using my method, the most "tone de
af" can learn to sing perfectly in tune, the most nasal or unappealing sound can be transformed into the most beautiful resonant tone, and someone with "no talent" can become better than anyone out there. With this superb method when you finish singing your voice will feel better than when you started! All it takes is desire, patience, perseverance, and above all, practice. I also have a unique and very patient teaching style that can make learning any instrument seem easy. Anyone can learn with my method of teaching.
It all started out in a small town called Chatham, NJ where I spent the first thirteen years of my life. I remember loving music as early as I could walk and talk. I started taking guitar lessons when I was seven years old. Along with the guitar, came a love for singing and writing my own songs. When we moved to Pennsylvania the guitar came with me. Throughout my high school years, I spent hours playing with teachers, fellow students and at parties.
When I was sixteen every week for three years I would drive an hour into Philadelphia, by myself, to study with world famous Artie Singer. His students include such names as Chubby Checker, Frankie Avalon, Al Martino, and Bobby Rydel. Artie co-wrote and produced two massive hit records “At the Hop” and “Rock ‘n Roll is Here to Stay,” both recorded by Danny and the Juniors. Artie was personal friends with Dick Clark and would bring him acts for his show.
While going to a Community College in Philadelphia the music teacher there took notice of me, pulled me aside, and told me about a great music school I should attend. He then sent away for the application and helped me fill it out. The next thing I knew I was in Boston attending Berklee School of Music! I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Jazz and Rock Composition, Arranging, and Guitar.
I had originally gone to Berklee intending to major in voice, however I had no luck with the vocal department there and ended up with nodules on my vocal cords. The damage was so significant that I had to stop singing during my four years at Berklee and turned to studying Guitar and Composition.
I tried every vocal teacher in town wanting more than anything to be a singer. What I found was no teacher could help me and it seemed obvious that even though they had the “big name” they didn't know what they wt. I was losing hope. The combination of this roadblock and my persistence led me to the greatest thing that ever happened in my life....... I met Dante Pavone!
I kept hearing about a singing teacher named Dante Pavone. Since I had already tried everyone else, I decided to give him a shot. On my first lesson with Dante I noticed a big difference. My throat didn't hurt at all and a real voice was coming out of me. I was cured!
Dante’s studies were extensive and he had doctorates in voice, music history, psychology and many other subjects. He was the most intelligent; insightful person I have ever met in my life and not only taught me about voice but taught me many things about life. He one time told me that he had a more profound knowledge of all the fine singing muscles than anyone else.
Dante was the first; a “pioneer” in popular singing, breaking from the traditional operatic style. He taught, or was contacted by, such singers as John Lennon and Paul McCartney (Beatles), Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones), Aretha Franklin, Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane), Steve Tyler (Aerosmith), Peter Wolf (JGiles Band), James and Livingston Taylor, Faye Dunaway, Tom Jones, Donna Summers, Jonathan Richman, Julianna Hatfield, Andy Pratt, at their prime and the list goes on and on. Once John Lennon and Paul McCartney showed up unannounced at his door handing him a blank check! Singers from New York City Opera Company used to sneak away from their teachers and come to Boston to study with Dante who would cure their wrecked voices from their famous opera teachers they had in NY. Best Singing Teacher in the World!
I studied with Dante every day for the first couple of years and then two or three times a week after that for fifteen years until his demise in 1998. I never missed a lesson! He gave me over a four-octave range where I started with only a five-note one. Not only did he improve my pitch and tone, but I can now sing and scream all night, if I want to, and never have a single vocal problem. In fact the more I sing the better my voice feels!
One day at my lesson Dante asked if he could pass his method down to me. This has been a great honor to me and although many teachers try to emulate his method I am the only one with a certificate as seen above. Not only was Dante my mentor, but still to this day he is the most important person I ever encountered in my life and was my best friend. We were very close and he would spend hours talking to me at lessons not only about music but about many fascinating subjects and opened my eyes to many incredible things.
Thirteen of my songs were chosen to be in one movie called Getting Personal and other songs in the movies Fillbilly and Dykeotomies. My band has won world contests.
I have also studied piano, guitar, and drums extensively and teach all instruments. I studied for years with late great world renowned Charlie Banacos and John Horrigan. Besides teaching I am a songwriter, dancer, actress, film maker, audio engineer and producer as well. I can help you record your songs!
Since 1982 I have written hundreds of songs and have been performing and recording my own music in major New England and New York venues. I've also won awards for my band "Girl on Top."
Breathing
If a teacher tells you breathing is not important you should be concerned. Let me help you to develop solid breathing and correct singing posture. An instrument only sounds as good as it's built. As we build your instrument your range, strength, resonance and stamina all improve. There is no end to how good you can get.
All Styles
The greatest thing about this method is it does not give you a style. You develop your own style! The student brings in songs they want to work on. Pop, rock, hip-hop, alternative, country, progressive, blues, jazz, swing, broadway, folk, rap, r+b, gospel, hardcore, screaming at the top of your lungs (if you want to).
All Levels
I teach all ages and presently have students from three years old to students in their seventies. Beginners to advanced, adults to elderly, children, kids, and pre-school. Dante taught me that I can improve a person’s life by teaching them music. He’s certainly improved mine. I hope you will let me help to improve yours.
Vocal Therapist
My method is guaranteed to cure any and all vocal problems or damage you may have from singing or talking: nodules, pitch, range, tone, endurance, etc.
Sing with no break
Have a smooth, multi-octave range. Sing any note the way you like: high or low, hard or soft.
No end to how you can improve
As long as you practice using this method, there is no limit as to how you can improve your range, tone, strength, flexibility, vibrato, phrasing, etc. Let me help you transcend fear, anxiety, and stage fright and replace it with technical ability and self-confidence.
Coaching and Stage Presence
We work on songs that the student brings with them to lessons. Using acting techniques, I help them understand the true meaning of the song and how to convey it to an audience.
Guitar Lesson
Learn easily the basics of rhythm, notes and chords. Start with the basics and move into learning to play songs that you love. Incorporate learning to sing and play guitar on your favorite tunes. As the student becomes more confident the lessons move into learning advanced voicing, improvisational techniques and chord solos. All styles, all levels, all ages.
Piano Lessons
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced professional, any age is welcomed. Learning to play the piano can be lots of fun and very rewarding with practice, persistence and the proper instruction. Learn easily the basics of rhythm, notes and chords. In the first lesson you will be able to play with both hands. As you continue lessons it will be fun and exciting to learn to play popular piano pieces. The more advanced student will have fun learning to improvise and play chord solos.
Drum Lessons
Learning to play the drums is really easy and fun with my method! Start by learning how to hold the sticks and position yourself at a full drum set. At the end of the first lesson you will be able to play beats. With each lesson new beats, styles and exercises will be added. As you get more advanced the student can bring in songs they want to learn. This method is perfect and easy for any beginner or more advanced student.
Bass Lessons
The bass is what holds the rhythm of the band together and provides the foundation and bottom for the chord structure. The student is taken in a step by step method that is easy to understand starting with learning basic notes, rhythms and finger exercises. As the student becomes more advanced they can bring in songs that they would like to learn. All styles, ages and levels.
Ear Training
Developing your ear is essential for any serious musician. We start by learning to sing simple melodies and rhythms and as the student progresses move to more challenging ones. Also incorporated will be learning notation and chord and pitch recognition.
Song Writing
Learn to write songs like the pros. Karen D. has written over two hundred and fifty song. Let her expertise help you learn the secrets fast. We will work on song structure, theory and lyric writing.
Theory and Arranging
Karen D. is an honorary graduate of Berklee School of Music in Boston. There she acquired a degree in Jazz Composition and Arranging. She will teach you about notes, intervals, scales, chord structures and how chords work together. Also, you will learn how to arrange a song by adding drums, bass, guitar, horns, strings and whatever your heart desires.
Instruments-All Styles
Voice
Vocal Therapy
Nodules
Polyps
Breathing
Strength
Range
Coaching
Stage Presence
Extras
Theory/Arranging
Song Writing
Ear Training
Apple Computer Skills
Final Cut
Logic
Stringed Instruments
Acoustic Guitar
Autoharp
Banjo
Bass Guitar
Dobro
Dulcimer
Electric Guitar
Gottuvadhyam
Guitar
Harp
Lap Steel Guitar
Lute
Mandolin
Pedal Steel Guitar
Sitar
Ukulele
Veena
Zither
Keyboard Instruments
Acoustic Piano
Clarinet
Electric Keyboards
Harpsichord
Keyboards
Organ
Piano
Synthesizer
Percussion Instruments
Bongos
cajon
Castanets
Celesta
Chimes
Congas
Cymbals
Double Bass / Kick
Drums
Drum Set
Glockenspiel
Marimba
Snare Drum
Tambourine
Timpani
Tom Toms
Triangle
Vibraphone
Xylophone
Bowed Stringed
Cello
Double Bass (Acoustic, Upright, Stand-up)
Fiddle
Viola
Violin
Woodwinds
Accordion
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Clarinet
Contrabassoon
Double Reed
English Flute
English Horn
Flute
Flutes
Harmonica
Melodica
Oboe
Piccolo
Pitch Pipes
Recorder
Saxophone
Single Reed
Brasswinds
French Horn
Pan Flute
Piccolo
Recorder
Saxophone
Trombone
Trumpet
Tuba
Testimonials
Karen D is the numero uno female singer in Boston.
Karen made the lesson fun and highly personalized. Karen wanted to know about my current skills and what I wanted to achieve. She then based our lesson play on this information. Excellent!
I don't know how much you remember of me, but you were my favorite voice teacher! I adore/d you and hope all the best for you! I used to walk across Copley Square to your studio for my classes. I remember vividly and I also remember my homework. I will always recommend you highly. Next to my band director you were always my best teacher. Know what? Love you Karen! You are the best! I wish every great thing for you.
Karen is an amazing teacher. She's patient, hard-working and dedicated. She has a lot of musical background experience and knowledge. She's also a cool person!
In American Idol, Haley did great on her solo, clearly the best. I was really impressed I hope you are doing well…we will see you at the next lesson.
Karen is a great teacher. She is extremely patient and encouraging. She also has a great method in building up strong muscles for singing. When I first met her, I could barely match the notes. She encourages me all the time and guides me through the tough period. Now I can match up to High C. She is also very great at Guitar, and has a very good way teaching. I really love her.
Thank you so much for the encouragement. I didn't get much of it when I was growing up that's probably why I never put any effort in pursuing my dream of becoming a musician. I am going to use your time for deeper understanding. I wasted a lot of time in the past I could of been much more educated by now if only i would of had focused and pushed myself. Our time together made me realize many things about myself what i should have done in the past and that I'm very impatient that's probably the main cause of why i never bothered learning anything worth learning... I admire people like yourself who encourage artists to do what they love. Thanks again.
Karen is an awesome teacher with patience and excellent methods to help people sing. She taught me the singing techniques and mostly importantly gave me confidence to face my weakness and sing once more. Patient, nice, and remarkable capability.
Thank you for being such a great teacher and friend!
Thanks for all your help. It has been a revelation.
I finally took your advice and have been doing my practicing every day. As a result, my choir director, Wendy, came up to me after the service and said, "you might become the lead soprano singer if you keep working with that singing teacher of yours, Karen.
Back from a week in New England...great trip...both reunion shows went very well...the audiences loved them. Thanks for your help in getting my voice ready. We had five hour rehearsals last Monday and Tuesday, and then shows on Wednesday and Thursday. My voice was stronger Thursday night than any of the three previous nights. That's a tribute to you and Dante, and I am grateful. Take care, and let's stay in touch...
Thank you for all you’ve taught me. I know your way is the real way. I hope to have the opportunity to learn more from you in the future. You’re the best!
Hey Karen! How are you? I'm over that horrible sickness. I went to rehearsal tonight and what's coming out of me keeps getting better. Just the look on everyone's face was awesome. More importantly I can finally express everything inside me. Thank you so much! The only problem I have is when my back get's tired. After an hour it get's tough. There's so much I want to go over with you. I'm your biggest fan! Thanks is not enough.
I know with the voice and lessons it can be like anything else one needs to improve, two steps forward one step back. However, I have to tell you, I have really made a breakthrough in the last week, starting last Thursday. For some reason "all of a sudden" my voice is stronger, clearer, I don't get hoarse as quickly, I can sing longer and "harder"/higher, my voice isn't so raspy the next morning, on and on. Yeah -- the lessons are really working, as I believed they would. Bless you and the spirit of Dante.
I threw Dante's name into the search engine and found you. My sister, Tina Sanderson, quit high school in 1967 and moved from long island to Boston and found Dante. I was at Berklee at the time for flute. I was amazed what he did to her already fabulous voice! When Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane/Starship) went to prison, they asked Tina to fill in, but decided not to do anything until Grace was out. Unfortunately, two days before recording for Irwin Levine (tie a yellow ribbon....) she died in a car accident. Anyway, I am very happy to see that Dante's message is not lost with the Master. i will keep you in mind for anyone wanting the best techniques.
Hello Karen, I found your site through a google search of Dante. I was thinking about him and thought I’d see what I could find. Yours was the first site that turned up and I was very happy to have found it. Even back in 1981 and 1982, when I was with him, Dante was looking for a successor. I’m very glad to have found you. I am also a bit envious that you were wise enough to stay with him until the end. It was my every intention to do that, however, as a teen at the time on my own living in Boston, I let certain emotional issues cloud my judgment and left Dante in 1982 and came back to New Jersey. I must say that I was filled with sadness to find that Dante passed in 1997 and that I made no effort to contact him or study further before that time. What an opportunity it was ever to have met the man! I was with him for a year and applied his method for many years after. I’ve recently gotten back more into singing, I am a guitarist as well, and probably would want to start lessons with you. I was a voice major at Rowan University for a year and half, but actually would rather study by Dante method. Dante was very dear to me. I loved him very much. The year with him was one of the best times of my life with some of the fondest memories.
Hi Karen glad you had a great gig. Nothing was touching the pain, but when I sing it is so intense it doesn't matter. I didn't sleep at all last night, and I felt like crying! I went to my second project today and I think there is an ungodly potential there. I did a little recording last night (just me) so you could hear what you never hear in lessons. I am the singer I always wanted to be thanks to you and I know it's only going to get better! Oh well for now it's ice hot bath and rest.
Karen, even though it was sort lived, coming to you for lessons was one of the best things I've done. It's really gotten me back on track. Dante's scales are so balanced. I was getting into really bad habits especially with the e vowel. With those exercises I'm now placing the e vowel where it should be. I can sing all night again and feel nothing in my throat. When I went to university, the vocal scales weren't balanced. Dante's balances the e's with the ah's and when you got that, you've got it all. This is how I remember it as it used to be. As I said before, I'll be back.
Thank you so much for your wonderful lesson with great encouragement. You are the best music teacher I could ever imagine. How I wish I had met you earlier.
Karen is a wonderful, sensitive, teacher, who will work with you no matter what style of singing you prefer. For over 6 years I have taken voice from her and my range and confidence increased by leaps and bounds!
Karen is a committed, dedicated and extremely talented teacher. The unique techniques I learned in studying with her have greatly improved my singing, the quality of my voice, and my range is far greater. I am able to sing notes I would not have thought possible. Karen loves what she does and every lesson has been an extremely enjoyable learning experience.
Dear Karen, I wanted to thank you for teaching me. I'm very happy that I decided to take lessons with you and I was able to achieve my goal. Before I came to you I was not happy with my singing when I hit Bb above middle C and up, but I feel more comfortable with those notes after the lessons with you, and of course, doing the exercises and scales does wonders. You even got me to vocalize an octave above that Bb and beyond in less than six weeks. What I learned was so precious because it's not something you can learn by reading, but it's something I could only learn by actually having someone coach me in physical coordination. It was a very interesting experience and a hard work. I sing almost everyday, so I do notice the difference in my voice from day to day. Thank you so much.
Karen has been an amazing teacher. I have taken piano, guitar and voice lessons from her for over the past year. I had no prior musical knowledge (or native ability) but yet within 4 months she coached me through preparation for a show singing and accompanying on guitar. While I have much to learn I feel that Karen, with her dedication to her students and wonderful teaching ability, has truly helped me to succeed beyond my wildest expectations.
Dear Karen, So happy to see you're still doing great..I could never in words express my gratitude towards you for teaching me about music, life, and piano..(as well as the wonderful course for drums and everything else) Thank you.
HI Karen, Thank you so much for being such a great mentor and friend of mine:) Thanks for inspiring and encouraging me all the time. Love you.
Thank you so much for your wonderful lessons with great encouragement. You are the best music teacher I could ever imagine. How I wish I had met you earlier.
Hey, "Coach" -- hope this finds you well. We played two shows in Vermont two weekends ago, and my voice was excellent. I've been diligently doing my scales, my stretching exercises, and singing rock songs about 45 minutes a day since the book launch party last August, and it really paid off. I sang lead on two songs I couldn't even reach last summer. And I sang our "signature" song, "All Along The Watchtower" probably better than I ever sang it back in the 60s and 70s. My voice held up through two rehearsals, two sound checks, and two shows, and was stronger at the end than at the start. In fact, we had a jam session after the second gig and I sang "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder and I have never been able to do that one. So, thanks to you and our dear, departed Dante.
Just wanted you to know that I have continued to work on what you taught me with excellent results. This past August, at the book launch party, I sang lead on a song which I could not do in 2010 (and I could hardly have done any of my leads in 2010 without your help). In the six months since the book launch party I have done all my breathing exercises every day, except one single day, without fail. The result has been that as I sing along with records (which I do about 4-5 days a week) I can now do about a dozen leads on songs I sing with regularly, which I couldn't do six months ago in August. All this stuff re the voice is only to say a HUGE THANK YOU for your help and your teaching. Clearly, the Dante method works for geezers, also. I am amazed at what I can sing that I couldn't get to a year ago, or even 6 months ago. Plus, a couple of weeks ago I sang 11 days in a row (45 to 60 minutes each day) with no problems at all. It's so much fun to be able to really sing again...:-)
I'm not sure if you remember me but I took web lessons with you about a year an half ago. Life, however got in the way, and I had to stop. My schedule is now much freer, and I happen to once again be on the same time zone that you are on. I was hoping to begin taking vocal lessons with you again. You are by far the best vocal teacher I have ever had, and my voice really misses your training.
i am happy to tell you about my experience and opinion of Karen. i have been taking voice with her since 1996. I starting to sing in a choir as a soprano at my old church. i struggled to hit the notes and in doing so was straining my vocal chords. i went online to read about strained vocal chords and got scared when i read that they sometimes get nodules a need surgery. i decided i wanted to learn proper technique and searched for a vocal teacher. i read Karen’s bio and discovered that she too had suffered strained vocal chords and got relief through Dante Pavone’s method of teaching, and now she is certified to teach the same method. Since i started with her i have no problem in my throat and i sing way better. Even my body looks better because the exercises that the student does strengthen the lower back so that it can support the ribs properly and has given me a better figure. i still sing in a choir at my new church and i have gotten many compliments on my voice from many people. At this point i will tell you that i do not practice all of the breathing and scales as often as i am supposed to due to my being a wife and mother of two teenagers, which keeps me very busy and running. That said, i still have made great progress with Karen.
Another more personal note is that a person would be hard-pressed to find another human being as loving as Karen. She’s very caring beyond just voice lessons. My husband has been taking drum lessons from her for three years now and he feels the same way about her, and he doesn’t usually trust people easily. Karen is very well educated and very intelligent. She is a tough but kind teacher. She watches her student like a hawk and doesn’t miss a trick. She corrects gently and never makes you feel badly about yourself. She’s very encouraging. i try never to miss a lesson, because i always leave there in a better mood than when i arrive.
i hope this helps you to decide. You may think...whats with all of this breathing and posture? Trust the technique. it really works without pain or strain of the vocal chords, which means you can sing for the rest of her life and not just a couple years and have to quit due to nodules.
Forty years ago I was a lead singer in a New England rock band and I was tearing my throat up. I was hoarse after every gig and regularly lost my voice entirely after two or three nights. Then I became a pupil of Dante Pavone in Boston and a remarkable transformation occurred. Dante’s method was hard work, and it depended on following his advice precisely. But working with Dante I was able to correct my bad habits, improve the clarity, quality and range of my voice. I could go seven nights in a row and not lose my voice. Forty years later my band is getting back together for several reunion shows, but I have not sung professionally since 1971. Fortunately, I found Karen, a protégé of Dante’s, and took webcam internet lessons (she is in Boston, I in Virginia). All the benefits of the Pavone method re-appeared. I gained back three octaves on my range and my clarity, strength and pitch all greatly improved. The Dante Pavone method is still as great as ever and Karen is the ideal voice coach to teach it – a perfect blend of encouragement and pushing.
Saturday, for the first time after studying with you for over three years and not practicing, i forced myself to do what you have been telling me all along: to practice. The next day my husband came to the early church service with me and told me that when the choir sang the "anthem", which is our main piece in the service, that he could really hear me and that i sounded really good. Then i had another small rehearsal afterwards with the choir for a new piece for future. After that i was walking down the hall to leave and my choir director caught up to me and said, "You are sounding really good!" i said, “Really?” She affirmed, so i told her it was because my singing teacher is telling me i had better start doing my breathing exercise so i finally listened. She said it was paying off. Today i plan to do all 30 of each again. As much as i don’t understand why it makes so much of a difference, i now know it works and i know also that you are a very smart and driven person and that you would never steer me wrong. so thanks.
I called my brother (he used to back up Taj Mahal) to ask about when Grace Slick studied with Dante. When my sister was studying his method I met Dante once or twice. At the time I was making costumes for the New York City Opera Company and was one of Beverly Sill's dressers. Dante kept saying that Beverly was going to blow out her voice. I remember that several opera singers used to sneak away from their appointed vocal coaches in NYC to catch some time with Dante. Dante would have to cure all the vocal problems that their so called “famous” NY coaches were giving them.
I was thinking about Dante recently. I just got a gig in Switzerland coming up in April and even though I'm a sax player (Berklee alumnus) I will be singing a concert there. I pulled out all of my old hand written Dante notes and oddly I realized the system and its ease after twenty years. What I'm saying is "voila" now it all came back to me and I’m singing with a fair amount of ease up into my head, stretching my range and feeling really great. Anyway, I googled his name and your name came up associated with Dante's, and rightfully so. I was always amazed by him, but now I'm amazed at what he was always trying to tell me even though he saw me as a great student. I know that one website that came up under someone's name (associated with him) mentioned that he had passed away. I think he was 76 when he taught me. I remember he mentioned your name to me many times in the 80's. I moved to LA after Berklee and I talked about him with the highest respect and felt very lucky to have studied for a long time with a genius and true master of the human anatomy. Keep up the good work! I just wanted to say hello and let you know that I'm glad you're carrying on his legend.
Thanks for your help in getting my voice ready. We had five hour rehearsals last Monday and Tuesday, and then shows on Wednesday and Thursday. My voice was stronger Thursday night than any of the three previous nights. That's a tribute to you and Dante. I am grateful.
Karen I have to tell you I have really made a breakthrough since I started studying with you. My voice is stronger, clearer, I don't get hoarse as quickly, I can sing longer and "harder"/higher, my voice isn't so raspy the next morning, on and on. Yeah -- the lessons are really working, as I believed they would. Bless you and the spirit of Dante.
Every day, since studying with you, after I sing my voice is clearer and stronger when I am finished. You’re a great teacher!
Thank you for all you’ve taught me. I know your way is the real way. I hope to have the opportunity to learn more from you in the future. You’re the best!
I studied with one of the supposed most famous vocal teachers in America. After a year of studying this particular method I couldn’t even get through one rehearsal or four songs at a gig with out vocal blow out. When I came to Karen I had severe vocal damage from studying with this supposed other “famous” teacher”. On the first lesson with Karen my voice was cured and after four lessons I played a gig and my voice felt better than before I started singing and the next day I was not hoarse at all. This is the best vocal method I have ever studied in my life as I have studied with many other teachers before Karen that also damaged my voice. If it weren’t for Karen and the Dante Pavone method I surely would not ever be able to sing.
My daughter did great on her solo, clearly the best.! I was really impressed. I hope you are doing well…we will see you at the next lesson.
Had a great lesson with Karen today. I expected the usual tongue and lip rolls and of course the long lectures on what to avoid to keep a good voice, but i got something much better. :)
I went to rehearsal tonight and what's coming out of me keeps getting better and better. Just the look on everyone's face when I sang was awesome. More importantly I can finally express everything inside me. Thank you so much! I'm your biggest fan! Thanks is not enough.
I just wanted to let you know that my gig on Saturday went GREAT!!! My voice felt really good and I didn't feel strained at all. I'm so glad I took the breathing exercises that you showed very seriously. I don't know where I'd be without you.
Once again you have my deepest thanks for what you've opened to me vocally. I still can't believe it. Every time I open my mouth to sing I get better and better! Also, thank you very much for the great encouragement.
I just wanted to say again how happy I am that I met you. My progress is more than I dreamed of and I know I'm not all the way yet. I also have come to regard you as a friend. I truly wish you all the success you dream of.
Before studying with you I always felt like crying because I could never get my voice to work properly. You have showed me the potential there. I did a little recording last night so I could really hear the huge difference and in just a few lessons. I am becoming the singer I always wanted to be thanks to you. I know it's only going to get better!
My voice keeps getting better and better every day. I would say that you have 100% given me all the ability and more than I could have dreamed of. You definitely delivered the goods. I've grown from skeptic to true believer. The last two weeks, but especially the last couple of days, I have transformed into an altogether more dynamic singer with a pitch increase of at least an octave. Every note becoming as soft or as loud as I want it to without strain or effort! God bless you. I know that it's going to only get better from here! Did you ever see the matrix we're the guy says why oh why didn't I swallow the blue pill. That's how i feel about my choice some twenty years ago or more, when I saw your add. Also the changes in my physique are truly unbelievable too. Anyway thanks so much and I look forward to seeing you next week.
Hello Karen, Life is stranger than fiction!! I played an outdoor gig today! I sang for hours and had no problems. Afterward everybody was all over me. Makes all the sacrifice worth it. I learned a lot today. I sure hope it will continue. I live for this. Don't mean to sound like a broken record, but thanks so much for all you've given me the ability to do. I'm everything and more that I always wanted to be.
I so much value everything I've learned from you and I always looked forward to my lesson. You are a very gifted teacher and your technique has really made a difference in my voice. I never thought I could hit high C so effortlessly. Thank you, Karen.
It was great getting the first lesson from you. Saw how you rock from Dante's point of view.
Karen, You are wonderful. I love your personality and your lessons. I talked about you and your method to all my friends and co-workers and will always recommend you to anyone who’s interested in lessons.
Hi Karen, we're moving to New Hampshire tomorrow :-) We're going to miss you a lot! You have played a very positive role in Brendan's life and for that I will always be grateful. I wish you nothing but happiness. Warm Regards, Rob
You have been such a blessing. I believe people don't just come into your life by accident.
Karen, coming to you for lessons was one of the best things I've ever done. It's really gotten me back on track. Dante's scales are so balanced. I was getting into really bad habits. With those exercises I can sing all night again and feel nothing in my throat. When I went to university, the vocal scales weren't balanced and I had vocal issues. Dante's balances the e's with the ah's and when you got that, you've got it all. This is how I remember it as it used to be when I studied with Dante.
I enjoy the music instruction and guidance which shows progress in a short amount of time. I have explored rhythm, melody, and harmony with various instruments for resemblance. Her personal studio at home is great for this.
Awesome!
It all started out in a small town called Chatham, NJ where I spent the first thirteen years of my life. I remember loving music as early as I could walk and talk. I started taking guitar lessons when I was seven years old. Along with the guitar, came a love for singing and writing my own songs. When we moved to Pennsylvania the guitar came with me. Throughout my high school years, I spent hours playing with teachers, fellow students and at parties.
When I was sixteen every week for three years I would drive an hour into Philadelphia, by myself, to study with world famous Artie Singer. His students include such names as Chubby Checker, Frankie Avalon, Al Martino, and Bobby Rydel. Artie co-wrote and produced two massive hit records “At the Hop” and “Rock ‘n Roll is Here to Stay,” both recorded by Danny and the Juniors. Artie was personal friends with Dick Clark and would bring him acts for his show.
While going to a Community College in Philadelphia the music teacher there took notice of me, pulled me aside, and told me about a great music school I should attend. He then sent away for the application and helped me fill it out. The next thing I knew I was in Boston attending Berklee School of Music! I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Jazz and Rock Composition, Arranging, and Guitar.
I had originally gone to Berklee intending to major in voice, however I had no luck with the vocal department there and ended up with nodules on my vocal cords. The damage was so significant that I had to stop singing during my four years at Berklee and turned to studying Guitar and Composition.
I tried every vocal teacher in town wanting more than anything to be a singer. What I found was no teacher could help me and it seemed obvious that even though they had the “big name” they didn't know what they wt. I was losing hope. The combination of this roadblock and my persistence led me to the greatest thing that ever happened in my life....... I met Dante Pavone!
I kept hearing about a singing teacher named Dante Pavone. Since I had already tried everyone else, I decided to give him a shot. On my first lesson with Dante I noticed a big difference. My throat didn't hurt at all and a real voice was coming out of me. I was cured!
Dante’s studies were extensive and he had doctorates in voice, music history, psychology and many other subjects. He was the most intelligent; insightful person I have ever met in my life and not only taught me about voice but taught me many things about life. He one time told me that he had a more profound knowledge of all the fine singing muscles than anyone else.
Dante was the first; a “pioneer” in popular singing, breaking from the traditional operatic style. He taught, or was contacted by, such singers as John Lennon and Paul McCartney (Beatles), Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones), Aretha Franklin, Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane), Steve Tyler (Aerosmith), Peter Wolf (JGiles Band), James and Livingston Taylor, Faye Dunaway, Tom Jones, Donna Summers, Jonathan Richman, Julianna Hatfield, Andy Pratt, at their prime and the list goes on and on. Once John Lennon and Paul McCartney showed up unannounced at his door handing him a blank check! Singers from New York City Opera Company used to sneak away from their teachers and come to Boston to study with Dante who would cure their wrecked voices from their famous opera teachers they had in NY. Best Singing Teacher in the World!
I studied with Dante every day for the first couple of years and then two or three times a week after that for fifteen years until his demise in 1998. I never missed a lesson! He gave me over a four-octave range where I started with only a five-note one. Not only did he improve my pitch and tone, but I can now sing and scream all night, if I want to, and never have a single vocal problem. In fact the more I sing the better my voice feels!
One day at my lesson Dante asked if he could pass his method down to me. This has been a great honor to me and although many teachers try to emulate his method I am the only one with a certificate as seen above. Not only was Dante my mentor, but still to this day he is the most important person I ever encountered in my life and was my best friend. We were very close and he would spend hours talking to me at lessons not only about music but about many fascinating subjects and opened my eyes to many incredible things.
Thirteen of my songs were chosen to be in one movie called Getting Personal and other songs in the movies Fillbilly and Dykeotomies. My band has won world contests.
I have also studied piano, guitar, and drums extensively and teach all instruments. I studied for years with late great world renowned Charlie Banacos and John Horrigan. Besides teaching I am a songwriter, dancer, actress, film maker, audio engineer and producer as well. I can help you record your songs!
Since 1982 I have written hundreds of songs and have been performing and recording my own music in major New England and New York venues. I've also won awards for my band "Girl on Top."
Breathing
If a teacher tells you breathing is not important you should be concerned. Let me help you to develop solid breathing and correct singing posture. An instrument only sounds as good as it's built. As we build your instrument your range, strength, resonance and stamina all improve. There is no end to how good you can get.
All Styles
The greatest thing about this method is it does not give you a style. You develop your own style! The student brings in songs they want to work on. Pop, rock, hip-hop, alternative, country, progressive, blues, jazz, swing, broadway, folk, rap, r+b, gospel, hardcore, screaming at the top of your lungs (if you want to).
All Levels
I teach all ages and presently have students from three years old to students in their seventies. Beginners to advanced, adults to elderly, children, kids, and pre-school. Dante taught me that I can improve a person’s life by teaching them music. He’s certainly improved mine. I hope you will let me help to improve yours.
Vocal Therapist
My method is guaranteed to cure any and all vocal problems or damage you may have from singing or talking: nodules, pitch, range, tone, endurance, etc.
Sing with no break
Have a smooth, multi-octave range. Sing any note the way you like: high or low, hard or soft.
No end to how you can improve
As long as you practice using this method, there is no limit as to how you can improve your range, tone, strength, flexibility, vibrato, phrasing, etc. Let me help you transcend fear, anxiety, and stage fright and replace it with technical ability and self-confidence.
Coaching and Stage Presence
We work on songs that the student brings with them to lessons. Using acting techniques, I help them understand the true meaning of the song and how to convey it to an audience.
Guitar Lesson
Learn easily the basics of rhythm, notes and chords. Start with the basics and move into learning to play songs that you love. Incorporate learning to sing and play guitar on your favorite tunes. As the student becomes more confident the lessons move into learning advanced voicing, improvisational techniques and chord solos. All styles, all levels, all ages.
Piano Lessons
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced professional, any age is welcomed. Learning to play the piano can be lots of fun and very rewarding with practice, persistence and the proper instruction. Learn easily the basics of rhythm, notes and chords. In the first lesson you will be able to play with both hands. As you continue lessons it will be fun and exciting to learn to play popular piano pieces. The more advanced student will have fun learning to improvise and play chord solos.
Drum Lessons
Learning to play the drums is really easy and fun with my method! Start by learning how to hold the sticks and position yourself at a full drum set. At the end of the first lesson you will be able to play beats. With each lesson new beats, styles and exercises will be added. As you get more advanced the student can bring in songs they want to learn. This method is perfect and easy for any beginner or more advanced student.
Bass Lessons
The bass is what holds the rhythm of the band together and provides the foundation and bottom for the chord structure. The student is taken in a step by step method that is easy to understand starting with learning basic notes, rhythms and finger exercises. As the student becomes more advanced they can bring in songs that they would like to learn. All styles, ages and levels.
Ear Training
Developing your ear is essential for any serious musician. We start by learning to sing simple melodies and rhythms and as the student progresses move to more challenging ones. Also incorporated will be learning notation and chord and pitch recognition.
Song Writing
Learn to write songs like the pros. Karen D. has written over two hundred and fifty song. Let her expertise help you learn the secrets fast. We will work on song structure, theory and lyric writing.
Theory and Arranging
Karen D. is an honorary graduate of Berklee School of Music in Boston. There she acquired a degree in Jazz Composition and Arranging. She will teach you about notes, intervals, scales, chord structures and how chords work together. Also, you will learn how to arrange a song by adding drums, bass, guitar, horns, strings and whatever your heart desires.
Instruments-All Styles
Voice
Vocal Therapy
Nodules
Polyps
Breathing
Strength
Range
Coaching
Stage Presence
Extras
Theory/Arranging
Song Writing
Ear Training
Apple Computer Skills
Final Cut
Logic
Stringed Instruments
Acoustic Guitar
Autoharp
Banjo
Bass Guitar
Dobro
Dulcimer
Electric Guitar
Gottuvadhyam
Guitar
Harp
Lap Steel Guitar
Lute
Mandolin
Pedal Steel Guitar
Sitar
Ukulele
Veena
Zither
Keyboard Instruments
Acoustic Piano
Clarinet
Electric Keyboards
Harpsichord
Keyboards
Organ
Piano
Synthesizer
Percussion Instruments
Bongos
cajon
Castanets
Celesta
Chimes
Congas
Cymbals
Double Bass / Kick
Drums
Drum Set
Glockenspiel
Marimba
Snare Drum
Tambourine
Timpani
Tom Toms
Triangle
Vibraphone
Xylophone
Bowed Stringed
Cello
Double Bass (Acoustic, Upright, Stand-up)
Fiddle
Viola
Violin
Woodwinds
Accordion
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Clarinet
Contrabassoon
Double Reed
English Flute
English Horn
Flute
Flutes
Harmonica
Melodica
Oboe
Piccolo
Pitch Pipes
Recorder
Saxophone
Single Reed
Brasswinds
French Horn
Pan Flute
Piccolo
Recorder
Saxophone
Trombone
Trumpet
Tuba
Testimonials
Karen D is the numero uno female singer in Boston.
Karen made the lesson fun and highly personalized. Karen wanted to know about my current skills and what I wanted to achieve. She then based our lesson play on this information. Excellent!
I don't know how much you remember of me, but you were my favorite voice teacher! I adore/d you and hope all the best for you! I used to walk across Copley Square to your studio for my classes. I remember vividly and I also remember my homework. I will always recommend you highly. Next to my band director you were always my best teacher. Know what? Love you Karen! You are the best! I wish every great thing for you.
Karen is an amazing teacher. She's patient, hard-working and dedicated. She has a lot of musical background experience and knowledge. She's also a cool person!
In American Idol, Haley did great on her solo, clearly the best. I was really impressed I hope you are doing well…we will see you at the next lesson.
Karen is a great teacher. She is extremely patient and encouraging. She also has a great method in building up strong muscles for singing. When I first met her, I could barely match the notes. She encourages me all the time and guides me through the tough period. Now I can match up to High C. She is also very great at Guitar, and has a very good way teaching. I really love her.
Thank you so much for the encouragement. I didn't get much of it when I was growing up that's probably why I never put any effort in pursuing my dream of becoming a musician. I am going to use your time for deeper understanding. I wasted a lot of time in the past I could of been much more educated by now if only i would of had focused and pushed myself. Our time together made me realize many things about myself what i should have done in the past and that I'm very impatient that's probably the main cause of why i never bothered learning anything worth learning... I admire people like yourself who encourage artists to do what they love. Thanks again.
Karen is an awesome teacher with patience and excellent methods to help people sing. She taught me the singing techniques and mostly importantly gave me confidence to face my weakness and sing once more. Patient, nice, and remarkable capability.
Thank you for being such a great teacher and friend!
Thanks for all your help. It has been a revelation.
I finally took your advice and have been doing my practicing every day. As a result, my choir director, Wendy, came up to me after the service and said, "you might become the lead soprano singer if you keep working with that singing teacher of yours, Karen.
Back from a week in New England...great trip...both reunion shows went very well...the audiences loved them. Thanks for your help in getting my voice ready. We had five hour rehearsals last Monday and Tuesday, and then shows on Wednesday and Thursday. My voice was stronger Thursday night than any of the three previous nights. That's a tribute to you and Dante, and I am grateful. Take care, and let's stay in touch...
Thank you for all you’ve taught me. I know your way is the real way. I hope to have the opportunity to learn more from you in the future. You’re the best!
Hey Karen! How are you? I'm over that horrible sickness. I went to rehearsal tonight and what's coming out of me keeps getting better. Just the look on everyone's face was awesome. More importantly I can finally express everything inside me. Thank you so much! The only problem I have is when my back get's tired. After an hour it get's tough. There's so much I want to go over with you. I'm your biggest fan! Thanks is not enough.
I know with the voice and lessons it can be like anything else one needs to improve, two steps forward one step back. However, I have to tell you, I have really made a breakthrough in the last week, starting last Thursday. For some reason "all of a sudden" my voice is stronger, clearer, I don't get hoarse as quickly, I can sing longer and "harder"/higher, my voice isn't so raspy the next morning, on and on. Yeah -- the lessons are really working, as I believed they would. Bless you and the spirit of Dante.
I threw Dante's name into the search engine and found you. My sister, Tina Sanderson, quit high school in 1967 and moved from long island to Boston and found Dante. I was at Berklee at the time for flute. I was amazed what he did to her already fabulous voice! When Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane/Starship) went to prison, they asked Tina to fill in, but decided not to do anything until Grace was out. Unfortunately, two days before recording for Irwin Levine (tie a yellow ribbon....) she died in a car accident. Anyway, I am very happy to see that Dante's message is not lost with the Master. i will keep you in mind for anyone wanting the best techniques.
Hello Karen, I found your site through a google search of Dante. I was thinking about him and thought I’d see what I could find. Yours was the first site that turned up and I was very happy to have found it. Even back in 1981 and 1982, when I was with him, Dante was looking for a successor. I’m very glad to have found you. I am also a bit envious that you were wise enough to stay with him until the end. It was my every intention to do that, however, as a teen at the time on my own living in Boston, I let certain emotional issues cloud my judgment and left Dante in 1982 and came back to New Jersey. I must say that I was filled with sadness to find that Dante passed in 1997 and that I made no effort to contact him or study further before that time. What an opportunity it was ever to have met the man! I was with him for a year and applied his method for many years after. I’ve recently gotten back more into singing, I am a guitarist as well, and probably would want to start lessons with you. I was a voice major at Rowan University for a year and half, but actually would rather study by Dante method. Dante was very dear to me. I loved him very much. The year with him was one of the best times of my life with some of the fondest memories.
Hi Karen glad you had a great gig. Nothing was touching the pain, but when I sing it is so intense it doesn't matter. I didn't sleep at all last night, and I felt like crying! I went to my second project today and I think there is an ungodly potential there. I did a little recording last night (just me) so you could hear what you never hear in lessons. I am the singer I always wanted to be thanks to you and I know it's only going to get better! Oh well for now it's ice hot bath and rest.
Karen, even though it was sort lived, coming to you for lessons was one of the best things I've done. It's really gotten me back on track. Dante's scales are so balanced. I was getting into really bad habits especially with the e vowel. With those exercises I'm now placing the e vowel where it should be. I can sing all night again and feel nothing in my throat. When I went to university, the vocal scales weren't balanced. Dante's balances the e's with the ah's and when you got that, you've got it all. This is how I remember it as it used to be. As I said before, I'll be back.
Thank you so much for your wonderful lesson with great encouragement. You are the best music teacher I could ever imagine. How I wish I had met you earlier.
Karen is a wonderful, sensitive, teacher, who will work with you no matter what style of singing you prefer. For over 6 years I have taken voice from her and my range and confidence increased by leaps and bounds!
Karen is a committed, dedicated and extremely talented teacher. The unique techniques I learned in studying with her have greatly improved my singing, the quality of my voice, and my range is far greater. I am able to sing notes I would not have thought possible. Karen loves what she does and every lesson has been an extremely enjoyable learning experience.
Dear Karen, I wanted to thank you for teaching me. I'm very happy that I decided to take lessons with you and I was able to achieve my goal. Before I came to you I was not happy with my singing when I hit Bb above middle C and up, but I feel more comfortable with those notes after the lessons with you, and of course, doing the exercises and scales does wonders. You even got me to vocalize an octave above that Bb and beyond in less than six weeks. What I learned was so precious because it's not something you can learn by reading, but it's something I could only learn by actually having someone coach me in physical coordination. It was a very interesting experience and a hard work. I sing almost everyday, so I do notice the difference in my voice from day to day. Thank you so much.
Karen has been an amazing teacher. I have taken piano, guitar and voice lessons from her for over the past year. I had no prior musical knowledge (or native ability) but yet within 4 months she coached me through preparation for a show singing and accompanying on guitar. While I have much to learn I feel that Karen, with her dedication to her students and wonderful teaching ability, has truly helped me to succeed beyond my wildest expectations.
Dear Karen, So happy to see you're still doing great..I could never in words express my gratitude towards you for teaching me about music, life, and piano..(as well as the wonderful course for drums and everything else) Thank you.
HI Karen, Thank you so much for being such a great mentor and friend of mine:) Thanks for inspiring and encouraging me all the time. Love you.
Thank you so much for your wonderful lessons with great encouragement. You are the best music teacher I could ever imagine. How I wish I had met you earlier.
Hey, "Coach" -- hope this finds you well. We played two shows in Vermont two weekends ago, and my voice was excellent. I've been diligently doing my scales, my stretching exercises, and singing rock songs about 45 minutes a day since the book launch party last August, and it really paid off. I sang lead on two songs I couldn't even reach last summer. And I sang our "signature" song, "All Along The Watchtower" probably better than I ever sang it back in the 60s and 70s. My voice held up through two rehearsals, two sound checks, and two shows, and was stronger at the end than at the start. In fact, we had a jam session after the second gig and I sang "Superstition" by Stevie Wonder and I have never been able to do that one. So, thanks to you and our dear, departed Dante.
Just wanted you to know that I have continued to work on what you taught me with excellent results. This past August, at the book launch party, I sang lead on a song which I could not do in 2010 (and I could hardly have done any of my leads in 2010 without your help). In the six months since the book launch party I have done all my breathing exercises every day, except one single day, without fail. The result has been that as I sing along with records (which I do about 4-5 days a week) I can now do about a dozen leads on songs I sing with regularly, which I couldn't do six months ago in August. All this stuff re the voice is only to say a HUGE THANK YOU for your help and your teaching. Clearly, the Dante method works for geezers, also. I am amazed at what I can sing that I couldn't get to a year ago, or even 6 months ago. Plus, a couple of weeks ago I sang 11 days in a row (45 to 60 minutes each day) with no problems at all. It's so much fun to be able to really sing again...:-)
I'm not sure if you remember me but I took web lessons with you about a year an half ago. Life, however got in the way, and I had to stop. My schedule is now much freer, and I happen to once again be on the same time zone that you are on. I was hoping to begin taking vocal lessons with you again. You are by far the best vocal teacher I have ever had, and my voice really misses your training.
i am happy to tell you about my experience and opinion of Karen. i have been taking voice with her since 1996. I starting to sing in a choir as a soprano at my old church. i struggled to hit the notes and in doing so was straining my vocal chords. i went online to read about strained vocal chords and got scared when i read that they sometimes get nodules a need surgery. i decided i wanted to learn proper technique and searched for a vocal teacher. i read Karen’s bio and discovered that she too had suffered strained vocal chords and got relief through Dante Pavone’s method of teaching, and now she is certified to teach the same method. Since i started with her i have no problem in my throat and i sing way better. Even my body looks better because the exercises that the student does strengthen the lower back so that it can support the ribs properly and has given me a better figure. i still sing in a choir at my new church and i have gotten many compliments on my voice from many people. At this point i will tell you that i do not practice all of the breathing and scales as often as i am supposed to due to my being a wife and mother of two teenagers, which keeps me very busy and running. That said, i still have made great progress with Karen.
Another more personal note is that a person would be hard-pressed to find another human being as loving as Karen. She’s very caring beyond just voice lessons. My husband has been taking drum lessons from her for three years now and he feels the same way about her, and he doesn’t usually trust people easily. Karen is very well educated and very intelligent. She is a tough but kind teacher. She watches her student like a hawk and doesn’t miss a trick. She corrects gently and never makes you feel badly about yourself. She’s very encouraging. i try never to miss a lesson, because i always leave there in a better mood than when i arrive.
i hope this helps you to decide. You may think...whats with all of this breathing and posture? Trust the technique. it really works without pain or strain of the vocal chords, which means you can sing for the rest of her life and not just a couple years and have to quit due to nodules.
Forty years ago I was a lead singer in a New England rock band and I was tearing my throat up. I was hoarse after every gig and regularly lost my voice entirely after two or three nights. Then I became a pupil of Dante Pavone in Boston and a remarkable transformation occurred. Dante’s method was hard work, and it depended on following his advice precisely. But working with Dante I was able to correct my bad habits, improve the clarity, quality and range of my voice. I could go seven nights in a row and not lose my voice. Forty years later my band is getting back together for several reunion shows, but I have not sung professionally since 1971. Fortunately, I found Karen, a protégé of Dante’s, and took webcam internet lessons (she is in Boston, I in Virginia). All the benefits of the Pavone method re-appeared. I gained back three octaves on my range and my clarity, strength and pitch all greatly improved. The Dante Pavone method is still as great as ever and Karen is the ideal voice coach to teach it – a perfect blend of encouragement and pushing.
Saturday, for the first time after studying with you for over three years and not practicing, i forced myself to do what you have been telling me all along: to practice. The next day my husband came to the early church service with me and told me that when the choir sang the "anthem", which is our main piece in the service, that he could really hear me and that i sounded really good. Then i had another small rehearsal afterwards with the choir for a new piece for future. After that i was walking down the hall to leave and my choir director caught up to me and said, "You are sounding really good!" i said, “Really?” She affirmed, so i told her it was because my singing teacher is telling me i had better start doing my breathing exercise so i finally listened. She said it was paying off. Today i plan to do all 30 of each again. As much as i don’t understand why it makes so much of a difference, i now know it works and i know also that you are a very smart and driven person and that you would never steer me wrong. so thanks.
I called my brother (he used to back up Taj Mahal) to ask about when Grace Slick studied with Dante. When my sister was studying his method I met Dante once or twice. At the time I was making costumes for the New York City Opera Company and was one of Beverly Sill's dressers. Dante kept saying that Beverly was going to blow out her voice. I remember that several opera singers used to sneak away from their appointed vocal coaches in NYC to catch some time with Dante. Dante would have to cure all the vocal problems that their so called “famous” NY coaches were giving them.
I was thinking about Dante recently. I just got a gig in Switzerland coming up in April and even though I'm a sax player (Berklee alumnus) I will be singing a concert there. I pulled out all of my old hand written Dante notes and oddly I realized the system and its ease after twenty years. What I'm saying is "voila" now it all came back to me and I’m singing with a fair amount of ease up into my head, stretching my range and feeling really great. Anyway, I googled his name and your name came up associated with Dante's, and rightfully so. I was always amazed by him, but now I'm amazed at what he was always trying to tell me even though he saw me as a great student. I know that one website that came up under someone's name (associated with him) mentioned that he had passed away. I think he was 76 when he taught me. I remember he mentioned your name to me many times in the 80's. I moved to LA after Berklee and I talked about him with the highest respect and felt very lucky to have studied for a long time with a genius and true master of the human anatomy. Keep up the good work! I just wanted to say hello and let you know that I'm glad you're carrying on his legend.
Thanks for your help in getting my voice ready. We had five hour rehearsals last Monday and Tuesday, and then shows on Wednesday and Thursday. My voice was stronger Thursday night than any of the three previous nights. That's a tribute to you and Dante. I am grateful.
Karen I have to tell you I have really made a breakthrough since I started studying with you. My voice is stronger, clearer, I don't get hoarse as quickly, I can sing longer and "harder"/higher, my voice isn't so raspy the next morning, on and on. Yeah -- the lessons are really working, as I believed they would. Bless you and the spirit of Dante.
Every day, since studying with you, after I sing my voice is clearer and stronger when I am finished. You’re a great teacher!
Thank you for all you’ve taught me. I know your way is the real way. I hope to have the opportunity to learn more from you in the future. You’re the best!
I studied with one of the supposed most famous vocal teachers in America. After a year of studying this particular method I couldn’t even get through one rehearsal or four songs at a gig with out vocal blow out. When I came to Karen I had severe vocal damage from studying with this supposed other “famous” teacher”. On the first lesson with Karen my voice was cured and after four lessons I played a gig and my voice felt better than before I started singing and the next day I was not hoarse at all. This is the best vocal method I have ever studied in my life as I have studied with many other teachers before Karen that also damaged my voice. If it weren’t for Karen and the Dante Pavone method I surely would not ever be able to sing.
My daughter did great on her solo, clearly the best.! I was really impressed. I hope you are doing well…we will see you at the next lesson.
Had a great lesson with Karen today. I expected the usual tongue and lip rolls and of course the long lectures on what to avoid to keep a good voice, but i got something much better. :)
I went to rehearsal tonight and what's coming out of me keeps getting better and better. Just the look on everyone's face when I sang was awesome. More importantly I can finally express everything inside me. Thank you so much! I'm your biggest fan! Thanks is not enough.
I just wanted to let you know that my gig on Saturday went GREAT!!! My voice felt really good and I didn't feel strained at all. I'm so glad I took the breathing exercises that you showed very seriously. I don't know where I'd be without you.
Once again you have my deepest thanks for what you've opened to me vocally. I still can't believe it. Every time I open my mouth to sing I get better and better! Also, thank you very much for the great encouragement.
I just wanted to say again how happy I am that I met you. My progress is more than I dreamed of and I know I'm not all the way yet. I also have come to regard you as a friend. I truly wish you all the success you dream of.
Before studying with you I always felt like crying because I could never get my voice to work properly. You have showed me the potential there. I did a little recording last night so I could really hear the huge difference and in just a few lessons. I am becoming the singer I always wanted to be thanks to you. I know it's only going to get better!
My voice keeps getting better and better every day. I would say that you have 100% given me all the ability and more than I could have dreamed of. You definitely delivered the goods. I've grown from skeptic to true believer. The last two weeks, but especially the last couple of days, I have transformed into an altogether more dynamic singer with a pitch increase of at least an octave. Every note becoming as soft or as loud as I want it to without strain or effort! God bless you. I know that it's going to only get better from here! Did you ever see the matrix we're the guy says why oh why didn't I swallow the blue pill. That's how i feel about my choice some twenty years ago or more, when I saw your add. Also the changes in my physique are truly unbelievable too. Anyway thanks so much and I look forward to seeing you next week.
Hello Karen, Life is stranger than fiction!! I played an outdoor gig today! I sang for hours and had no problems. Afterward everybody was all over me. Makes all the sacrifice worth it. I learned a lot today. I sure hope it will continue. I live for this. Don't mean to sound like a broken record, but thanks so much for all you've given me the ability to do. I'm everything and more that I always wanted to be.
I so much value everything I've learned from you and I always looked forward to my lesson. You are a very gifted teacher and your technique has really made a difference in my voice. I never thought I could hit high C so effortlessly. Thank you, Karen.
It was great getting the first lesson from you. Saw how you rock from Dante's point of view.
Karen, You are wonderful. I love your personality and your lessons. I talked about you and your method to all my friends and co-workers and will always recommend you to anyone who’s interested in lessons.
Hi Karen, we're moving to New Hampshire tomorrow :-) We're going to miss you a lot! You have played a very positive role in Brendan's life and for that I will always be grateful. I wish you nothing but happiness. Warm Regards, Rob
You have been such a blessing. I believe people don't just come into your life by accident.
Karen, coming to you for lessons was one of the best things I've ever done. It's really gotten me back on track. Dante's scales are so balanced. I was getting into really bad habits. With those exercises I can sing all night again and feel nothing in my throat. When I went to university, the vocal scales weren't balanced and I had vocal issues. Dante's balances the e's with the ah's and when you got that, you've got it all. This is how I remember it as it used to be when I studied with Dante.
I enjoy the music instruction and guidance which shows progress in a short amount of time. I have explored rhythm, melody, and harmony with various instruments for resemblance. Her personal studio at home is great for this.
Awesome!
...
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· Bagpipes · In home
· Acoustic Guitar · In home
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Karen D.
Somerville, MA 02145
starting at
$40
/ 30-min
About Frankie P.
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Fun instrument for which I focus on the claw hammer technique and Earl Scruggs style rolls.
About Frankie
Being a Berklee College of Music Graduate with a Masters in Music
Education from Boston University, I have been playing for almost 30
years and teaching private lessons for 15+, I am a Professional
Instructor that has the ability and resources to teach several styles
ranging from Rock to Classical to Jazz to Country to Metal. In other
words, anything you want to learn I can teach you or your child using the songs and exercises necessary to help you become a real musician.
*** Lesson Details ***
The lessons are tailored to you and your wants as a musician. Whether
you have an electric, acoustic, or classical guitar, along with various method books, I have the music,
print outs, and instructional material to make sure you progress as you
should.
The lessons will help you learn to play guitar through chord diagrams,
theory, charts, examples, and exercises, as well as anything you hear on
the radio.
*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a lot of guitars, amps, pedals, woodwind instruments, keyboards, and recording equipment. Instruments everywhere!
*** Travel Equipment ***
The students should have their own instrument and method book. Other that that, I provide all other handouts and supplemental material and handouts.
*** Specialties ***
I work the most in rock, bluegrass, country, contemporary, and jazz styles.
Education from Boston University, I have been playing for almost 30
years and teaching private lessons for 15+, I am a Professional
Instructor that has the ability and resources to teach several styles
ranging from Rock to Classical to Jazz to Country to Metal. In other
words, anything you want to learn I can teach you or your child using the songs and exercises necessary to help you become a real musician.
*** Lesson Details ***
The lessons are tailored to you and your wants as a musician. Whether
you have an electric, acoustic, or classical guitar, along with various method books, I have the music,
print outs, and instructional material to make sure you progress as you
should.
The lessons will help you learn to play guitar through chord diagrams,
theory, charts, examples, and exercises, as well as anything you hear on
the radio.
*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a lot of guitars, amps, pedals, woodwind instruments, keyboards, and recording equipment. Instruments everywhere!
*** Travel Equipment ***
The students should have their own instrument and method book. Other that that, I provide all other handouts and supplemental material and handouts.
*** Specialties ***
I work the most in rock, bluegrass, country, contemporary, and jazz styles.
...
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· Banjo · In studio
· Clarinet · In home
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Frankie P.
Salem, MA 01970
starting at
$30
/ 30-min
About Andrew C.
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Beginner to Advanced, from basic setup and tuning of the instrument, to all sorts of playing techniques, to some of the most significant pieces written for the instrument
About Andrew
Andrew is a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, backing vocals) who settled in Las Vegas in 2013. After graduating with honors from Musicians Institute in 2008, he wrote a collection of acoustic guitar pieces licensed to The Weather Channel, then spent 5 years working as a show musician and top-40 musician for 3 cruise lines.
Upon arrival in Sin City, Andrew co-founded the local band “Tin Toy Cars” which consists of various Cirque du Soleil musicians from 2 shows. Their debut album entitled "Falling, Rust and Bones" is currently on hundreds of radio stations nationwide and has broken the all-time record for highest new artist debut on the A.M.A. Charts. Look for the album on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. In January 2016 the band had feature articles in dozens of newspapers and magazines in Las Vegas,
Upon arrival in Sin City, Andrew co-founded the local band “Tin Toy Cars” which consists of various Cirque du Soleil musicians from 2 shows. Their debut album entitled "Falling, Rust and Bones" is currently on hundreds of radio stations nationwide and has broken the all-time record for highest new artist debut on the A.M.A. Charts. Look for the album on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon, and CD Baby. In January 2016 the band had feature articles in dozens of newspapers and magazines in Las Vegas,
New York, and Los Angeles, and had many radio interviews scheduled to start the year. Their debut music video was premiered by The Huffington Post in March 2016 along with a feature interview.
Andrew also played the guitar/ukulele/mandolin chair in the pit orchestra for the show "Bright Side" which began in May 2016 and was showcased to pitch to Broadway. It's a musical written by Martin Kaye of "Million Dollar Quartet" (Harrahs Casino) and features a cast made up of performers from "Rock of Ages," "Blue Man Group," "Million Dollar Quartet," and others. The orchestra featured members of "Mystere," "Zarkana," "Vegas The Show," "Ka," and a former musical director for vocalist Andy WIlliams. He closed out 2016 performing in the musicals "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "American Idiot" alongside actors and musicians from "Ka," "The Beatles Love," "Million Dollar Quartet," "Blue Man Group," and "Rock of Ages."
Andrew's first 2 years in Las Vegas were also filled with many diverse performing situations up and down The Strip. These included a well-known top 40 and oldies band, a Mo-town tribute show, a country band that headlined the 2015 National Finals Rodeo, and a few others.
Andrew also owns an arranging and publishing company, HLC Publishing, which produces arrangements and sheet music for various Las Vegas performers, and a few cruise ship entertainers. Currently he is creating the guitar book for a new Rod Stewart and Tina Turner co-tribute act that will debut in February 2017, and he will also play guitar and mandolin in the show.
Andrew also teaches weekly lessons and plays Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings at Family Worship Christian Church. During the lessons, Andrew uses the same software as his professionally arranged sheet music, to keep a journal for each student as they learn, and the journal is regularly emailed to the student as a PDF file.
*** Lesson Details ***
Music Theory (Building Scales, Harmonizing Scales into Chords)
Ear Training
Single String Concepts (Scales, Arpeggios, Intervals)
Rhythm Concepts (Chords, Blending with a Band)
Learning Songs
Writing Licks, Lines, Chord Progressions, Charts, and Songs
Techniques (Pick vs. Fingers vs. Hybrid Picking)
Acoustic vs. Electric vs. Nylon String
Slide and Steel Guitar
Mandolin, Banjo, Ukulele, and Other Doubling Instruments
Playing in a Stylistically Appropriate Manner
Choosing the Right Equipment for the Gig or Project
Music Reading
How to Practice
How to Market Yourself to Acquire Work
*** Studio Equipment ***
various electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, ukulele, banjo. A few different amplifiers, and many different pieces of effect and accessory equipment.
*** Travel Equipment ***
various electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, ukulele, banjo.
*** Specialties ***
All Contemporary Styles (Rock, Blues, Country and Country Rock, Mo-Town, Jazz, Latin, Latin Jazz, Fusion, Metal and Tapping Style, Theater)
Andrew also played the guitar/ukulele/mandolin chair in the pit orchestra for the show "Bright Side" which began in May 2016 and was showcased to pitch to Broadway. It's a musical written by Martin Kaye of "Million Dollar Quartet" (Harrahs Casino) and features a cast made up of performers from "Rock of Ages," "Blue Man Group," "Million Dollar Quartet," and others. The orchestra featured members of "Mystere," "Zarkana," "Vegas The Show," "Ka," and a former musical director for vocalist Andy WIlliams. He closed out 2016 performing in the musicals "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" and "American Idiot" alongside actors and musicians from "Ka," "The Beatles Love," "Million Dollar Quartet," "Blue Man Group," and "Rock of Ages."
Andrew's first 2 years in Las Vegas were also filled with many diverse performing situations up and down The Strip. These included a well-known top 40 and oldies band, a Mo-town tribute show, a country band that headlined the 2015 National Finals Rodeo, and a few others.
Andrew also owns an arranging and publishing company, HLC Publishing, which produces arrangements and sheet music for various Las Vegas performers, and a few cruise ship entertainers. Currently he is creating the guitar book for a new Rod Stewart and Tina Turner co-tribute act that will debut in February 2017, and he will also play guitar and mandolin in the show.
Andrew also teaches weekly lessons and plays Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings at Family Worship Christian Church. During the lessons, Andrew uses the same software as his professionally arranged sheet music, to keep a journal for each student as they learn, and the journal is regularly emailed to the student as a PDF file.
*** Lesson Details ***
Music Theory (Building Scales, Harmonizing Scales into Chords)
Ear Training
Single String Concepts (Scales, Arpeggios, Intervals)
Rhythm Concepts (Chords, Blending with a Band)
Learning Songs
Writing Licks, Lines, Chord Progressions, Charts, and Songs
Techniques (Pick vs. Fingers vs. Hybrid Picking)
Acoustic vs. Electric vs. Nylon String
Slide and Steel Guitar
Mandolin, Banjo, Ukulele, and Other Doubling Instruments
Playing in a Stylistically Appropriate Manner
Choosing the Right Equipment for the Gig or Project
Music Reading
How to Practice
How to Market Yourself to Acquire Work
*** Studio Equipment ***
various electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, ukulele, banjo. A few different amplifiers, and many different pieces of effect and accessory equipment.
*** Travel Equipment ***
various electric and acoustic guitars, mandolin, ukulele, banjo.
*** Specialties ***
All Contemporary Styles (Rock, Blues, Country and Country Rock, Mo-Town, Jazz, Latin, Latin Jazz, Fusion, Metal and Tapping Style, Theater)
...
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· Guitar · In studio
· Banjo · In studio
· Banjo · In studio
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Andrew C.
Online
starting at
$35
/ 30-min
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About Catherine B.
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Catherine has performed and taught banjo throughout the USA, Australia and New Zealand, studying with renowned banjo players Noam Pikelny, Tony Trischka and Alan Munde. She graduated from the New Zealand School of Music in 2011 with a BMus, majoring in Jazz Performance. She won first place at the 2015 Freshgrass Banjo Contest and currently performs nationally with the band, Mile Twelve. She has taught banjo both privately and in group settings to all ages and levels for the past 10 years.
About Catherine
I've been playing the banjo for 13 years, beginning in my hometown of Marton, New Zealand. I very quickly fell in love with the instrument and have spent a lot of my time practicing, performing, teaching, recording and collaborating with other musicians ever since. As a teenager, I was given the opportunity to travel to the United States where I attended banjo camps and got to study with some great banjo players (Tony Trischka, Noam Pikelny Alan Munde). In 2011, I graduated from the New Zealand School of Music with a BMus, majoring in Jazz Performance on the banjo. I moved to Boston shortly afterwards to pursue a career in music and have kept a busy teaching schedule privately in Boston and worldwide via Skype. I also perform throughout the United States with my bluegrass band, Mile Twelve. I'm very thankful to have met a wide spectrum of
different people while teaching the banjo and am always eager to meet more people who are interested in learning and sharing this great instrument. Please say hi if this sounds like you!
N.B If you can't see an available lesson time that suits your schedule please send me a message. My availability changes weekly depending on my touring schedule so I may have just the spot for you.
~ About the lessons
I structure my lessons so students learn what they want to learn, while also building strong technique and a knowledge of the bluegrass banjo repertoire. Topics we will cover include Scruggs style, melodic style, single string technique, transcribing, arranging tunes, music theory and jamming or playing well with others.
We will start with talking about how to hold the banjo, tuning the banjo, playing with fingerpicks and how to read tablature. Then we will work through your first tunes in the bluegrass style gradually learning more tunes with harder techniques such as slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs etc. I take into account each students interests and goals so we will work on specific songs you request or licks you'd like to learn. You will have slow, medium and fast recordings of each tune we work on in the lessons as well at the tablature for that tune.
N.B If you can't see an available lesson time that suits your schedule please send me a message. My availability changes weekly depending on my touring schedule so I may have just the spot for you.
~ About the lessons
I structure my lessons so students learn what they want to learn, while also building strong technique and a knowledge of the bluegrass banjo repertoire. Topics we will cover include Scruggs style, melodic style, single string technique, transcribing, arranging tunes, music theory and jamming or playing well with others.
We will start with talking about how to hold the banjo, tuning the banjo, playing with fingerpicks and how to read tablature. Then we will work through your first tunes in the bluegrass style gradually learning more tunes with harder techniques such as slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs etc. I take into account each students interests and goals so we will work on specific songs you request or licks you'd like to learn. You will have slow, medium and fast recordings of each tune we work on in the lessons as well at the tablature for that tune.
...
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· Banjo · In studio
· Banjo · In studio
· Banjo · In home
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Catherine B.
Cambridge, MA 02140
starting at
$60
/ 50-min
About Bob W.
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Banjo students can expect great results from a Fun, thorough, and custom tailored learning program.
About Bob
Hi, Bob here...... very much looking forward to meeting you! I've been teaching music since 1980 (Guitar, Bass, Piano and Voice) and I love helping my students play well! Of course we throw jamming and/or composing music into the mix when desired and appropriate. Many of my students perform, and record their music.
I earned my degrees from the Berklee College of Music for Performance and Music Ed. in 1980. I founded my School of Music in 1983, which served as a prep school for Berklee and other schools. We offered private instruction, courses, ensembles and recording courses and producing artists and band's CD's. Many of my former students have become major stars and celebs in music.
I'm a warm, funny, passionate person. I love to teach and my teaching style is a patient, step by step, and custom tailored approach for your individu
I earned my degrees from the Berklee College of Music for Performance and Music Ed. in 1980. I founded my School of Music in 1983, which served as a prep school for Berklee and other schools. We offered private instruction, courses, ensembles and recording courses and producing artists and band's CD's. Many of my former students have become major stars and celebs in music.
I'm a warm, funny, passionate person. I love to teach and my teaching style is a patient, step by step, and custom tailored approach for your individu
al needs and goals. Always an emphasis on FUN! My philosophy as a teacher is to give you the tools and help you develop skills with them so that you can learn and grow musically on your own! I look forward to helping you reach and achieve all your goals!
...
Reviews
· Guitar · In studio
· Acoustic Guitar · Online
I have a friend who has been taking lessons from one teacher for 3 years and learned one song! (Not even correctly) But, myself, have been taking lessons with Bob Wolfman for 2-3 months and have learned the grid method, cord construction theory, the musical staff, not to mention 2 whole songs. I would recommend this teacher to anyone willing to learn guitar correctly and productively.
· Ukulele · In studio
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Bob W.
Middleton, MA 01949
starting at
$40
/ 30-min
About Lisa A.
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I teach a 3 finger style of Banjo playing and how to read, hear, and play music. I teach you how to play the chords, read the tablature and play by ear.
About Lisa
Lisa Abrams has a Vocal Music Education Degree from Capital University, Columbus, Ohio.
She graduated in 1997 and has been teaching professionally, both in schools and privately, since that time. She has taught General Music grades K-8 in the Parochial School System. She has been the Music Director and Worship Leader for several Churches where she has directed Adult Choir, Praise Team, Bell Choir, Chime Tone Choir, Orchestra and Children's Choir. She has accompanied all these ensembles on Piano, Guitar, and Organ.
Lisa Abrams teaches all areas of music: Theory, Technic, Reading, Counting, Ear Training, Composition, etc. When you take lessons from Lisa, her goal is more than teaching you how to play or sing a song. She gives you the tools necessary to be able to play ANY song. She teaches what few others teach; how to BE a music
She graduated in 1997 and has been teaching professionally, both in schools and privately, since that time. She has taught General Music grades K-8 in the Parochial School System. She has been the Music Director and Worship Leader for several Churches where she has directed Adult Choir, Praise Team, Bell Choir, Chime Tone Choir, Orchestra and Children's Choir. She has accompanied all these ensembles on Piano, Guitar, and Organ.
Lisa Abrams teaches all areas of music: Theory, Technic, Reading, Counting, Ear Training, Composition, etc. When you take lessons from Lisa, her goal is more than teaching you how to play or sing a song. She gives you the tools necessary to be able to play ANY song. She teaches what few others teach; how to BE a music
ian. She wants you to be able to pursue any avenue of Music that appeals to you, professionally or personally.
...
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· Trumpet · Online
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· Piano · Online
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Lisa A.
Online
starting at
$30
/ 30-min
About Barton D.
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Each lesson, we will work on developing a solid, bluegrass foundation, as we approach the basics of the 5-string banjo together.
We will start by learning the correct right hand technique and then focus on the left hand. I will also teach you how to read banjo tablature, so that you can work through the bluegrass songs, rolls, and chord formations that I will provide for you each week.
From there, I will give you some options. We can work through the traditional Earl Scruggs songs, or we can go off-the-beaten path, so to speak. If you like Mumford & Sons, Avett Brothers, Trampled By Turtles, or any of these "New-Age" bands that feature banjo, then we can go with a more modern approach to the 5-string!
From the very first lesson, I will make a point to jam with you. I think playing songs WITH me is just as important as playing them FOR me. Being able to jam with other musicians is huge aspect to learning an instrument that often gets overlooked by teachers. It's also WHY we ...
About Barton
Hello! I am a Nashville native and have been playing 5-string banjo for 7 years now. I am an avid songwriter and formed an Americana-roots band, Boy Named Banjo, back in 2011. We played Bonnaroo in 2015, and have performed at many historic venues like The Bijou Theatre, The Altamont Theatre, Eddie's Attic, and Mercy Lounge, to name a few.
In May of 2016, I graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Sewanee: The University of the South, where I was an American Studies Major (with a focus on American music) and a Music Minor.
In my 3 years of teaching the banjo, I've always emphasized to my students the importance of jamming with others. I want you to experience the joy of playing music with somebody else as soon as possible - that's what it's all about! While giving you a solid foundation, I will dedicate time during each lesson to doing just
In May of 2016, I graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Sewanee: The University of the South, where I was an American Studies Major (with a focus on American music) and a Music Minor.
In my 3 years of teaching the banjo, I've always emphasized to my students the importance of jamming with others. I want you to experience the joy of playing music with somebody else as soon as possible - that's what it's all about! While giving you a solid foundation, I will dedicate time during each lesson to doing just
that, so YOU can take what I give you and run with it!
...
Reviews
· Banjo · In home
· Banjo · In studio
· Banjo · In studio
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Barton D.
Online
starting at
$25
/ 30-min
About David J.
Close
s incredible as touring and performing can be, I have a huge passion for teaching banjo too. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an advanced player, it’s important to me to show you that banjo is not just a bluegrass instrument, but an incredibly versatile conduit to EVERY type of music.
Though I mostly teach three-finger style (from beginner to advanced lessons), I teach the occasional clawhammer lesson as well. We can talk about anything you’d like– I maintain the importance of keeping lessons personal and only going in the direction you want.
About David
Hey, my name is David Jones (Davey Jones if you’d like). I’ve been playing banjo for almost 20 years, more than ten of which have been on a professional level. I’m a founding member of the Southeast Michigan indie band Frontier Ruckus, with whom I’ve played over a thousand shows across the U.S and Europe.
...
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David J.
Online
starting at
$34
/ 30-min
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Banjo Lesson Reviews from Students
Students are raving about their Banjo instructors on TakeLessons. Check out some of these recent reviews.
Review by Matt
"Great instruction."
Boston, MA teacher:
Catherine B.
Review by Howard
"BB is a fabulous instructor. Obviously a great, talented musician, she is equally committed to her teaching skills. She is patient, inspiring and motivati
ng...and lessons are great fun!"
...
Boston, MA teacher:
Catherine B.
Review by Ed
"Catherine (aka BB!) has been my banjo teacher for about two years. During that time, I have made tremendous progress and have developed a real passion fo
r the banjo. She is first and foremost an incredibly talented player herself and importantly, banjo is her main instrument versus other teachers who are, for example, guitarists who also play banjo. Banjo is its own thing and in my view this matters a lot!
BB teaches at the level of the student and has been very patient and encouraging with me especially at the beginning I struggled through more complicated passages and ideas. She is also flexible about both the "curriculum" (i.e., she is comfortable with the student helping to set direction) and the pacing and timing of lessons, which is great for me because I can't always commit to a set schedule.
Best of all for me have been the results. I have now gotten to the level where I can easily sit in with and contribute to pick-up jam sessions, and I have even performed a number of times with a group I formed. I would highly recommend BB as a teacher for anyone interested in learning the banjo!"
BB teaches at the level of the student and has been very patient and encouraging with me especially at the beginning I struggled through more complicated passages and ideas. She is also flexible about both the "curriculum" (i.e., she is comfortable with the student helping to set direction) and the pacing and timing of lessons, which is great for me because I can't always commit to a set schedule.
Best of all for me have been the results. I have now gotten to the level where I can easily sit in with and contribute to pick-up jam sessions, and I have even performed a number of times with a group I formed. I would highly recommend BB as a teacher for anyone interested in learning the banjo!"
...
Boston, MA teacher:
Catherine B.
Review by Ken
"Catherine is a wonderful teacher with amazing patience trying to teach this old dog new tricks. She is very professional, yet caring and interested in my
development as a musician. I usually leave the lesson enthusiastic to try new exercises, lessons and ideas. She is also a wonderfully accomplished working musician, and enjoys sharing what she's learned through her own experience. I highly recommend her."
...
Boston, MA teacher:
Catherine B.
Review by Tim
"I've been fortunate enough to work with BB for about a year and a half now. I'm sure if not for my busy home and work life she'd have me sounding like Ear
l Scruggs. Because she is so versatile herself in just about any style of banjo picking- Scruggs, melodic, clawhammer, traditional, modern, bluegrass, jazz- she can relate to the needs and struggles of pickers from all backgrounds and knows how to gently and encouragingly push them in the direction they need to go. There was a time that finding such expert instruction was difficult in the Boston area, but the ever increasing bluegrass scene has attracted some of the most talent players to the Boston area and for my money BB is at the top of the list."
...
Boston, MA teacher:
Catherine B.
Review by Mary
"BB is a great teacher. Her lessons focus allow me to start playing tunes right away. It provides immediate satisfaction to be able to make music with a ne
w instrument."
...
Boston, MA teacher:
Catherine B.
Review by Henry
"Great instructor. Explains things clearly. A pleasure taking the lessons each week."
Boston, MA teacher:
Frankie P.
Review by Matthew
"Great, knowledgeable teacher. Highly recommend."
Boston, MA teacher:
Frankie P.
Review by Barbara
"It is rare to find a great banjo player who is also a great teacher, but BB is the whole package. I have been studying with BB for about 3 years and have
been impressed with her ability to craft lessons tailored to my learning style and abilities. She somehow manages to make the most of our time, whether I have practiced daily with a metronome or barely picked up the banjo. She is always prepared, attentive, patient, motivating, and wise about what will help me progress. She has a vast well of musical knowledge and teaching techniques to draw on in her lessons. BB is a truly gifted and generous teacher."
...
Boston, MA teacher:
Catherine B.
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