North Weymouth Music Lessons

ies ***
rock, jazz, experimental, composition, rhythmic approaches, improvisation, musical notation techniques

than 30 years, I am currently the Director of Worship for the chapel at Gordon College, a small Christian school north of Boston. I'm often involved in city-wide music events in Boston’s faith-based community and in demand as a featured musician for church services, parties, concerts and other events.

I hold a Masters of Music from New England Conservatory in Jazz Piano and am comfortable and fluent in a number of musical styles. In addition to private lessons and performing, I do music transcription, workshops, and all forms of vocal and instrumental arranging. My passions include morning coffee, finding new guitar chords, creating killer PowerPoint presentations, and trying to figure out how to use my smart phone.

*** Lesson Details ***
My priority as a teacher is to make the learning process fun, life-giving, and productive. I teach with patience and humor, at a challenging but not frustrating pace.

Some quotes from my students:
"I absolutely love learning from Bil! I've watched my playing and the playing of others at church vastly improve as a result of his training."

"[Bil] is filled with a large amount of knowledge, so while sitting under him you not only learn about how to play but you learn about music history and theory. Beyond being a good teacher he is genuine and friendly and cares about others."

"I have really enjoyed working with Bil. His patience and wealth of knowledge has helped me come out of my musical shell and has encouraged me to discover my musical voice."

"Bil makes learning theory fun! His deep understanding of music is complemented by his contagious enthusiasm."

"Bil has taken me to a different level. I went from tab and basic guitar chords, to building jazz chords and a far greater understanding of music theory."

There are at least two ways that might set me apart from other teachers.

Firstly, I have honed and developed "people skills". I am an ordained minister and have held positions where I was formally and informally in a mentoring/pastoring role. I bring that sensitivity to my music lessons, understanding that personal and emotional issues can be triggered by the engagement with the music and skills being worked on.

Secondly, I've had a remarkable broad base of experience. My coursework has exposed me to a wide breadth of ideas and tools; my work life has been long and varied; I have had extensive experience in many different cultural contexts, both musically and otherwise; and I work well with many age groups and skill levels.

Regarding my teaching approach:
For beginners, I have a fairly consistent set of topics and skill sets to cover. Generally, in a few months, piano students (particularly those in middle school through adulthood) should know how to play major, minor and seventh chords, how to read simple chord charts and some very basic accompanying skills. Guitar students should know a dozen open chords and have been introduced to barre chords, and to have learned several styles of finger picking as well as strumming. Bass students should know how to find notes on the board and will have begun to learn how to fill out a song with an expressive but non-obtrusive bass line.

For intermediate students, the pace, direction and focus on lessons depends upon the goals and passions of the student along with the amount of time he or she has to practice. My goals for students at this level and beyond is to learn how to learn. I will use outstanding recorded examples of particular skills or stylistic idioms to help my students understand and master each new concept. I often will check in with my student to make sure that we are on track with what they are hoping for.

For advanced students, we will generally target very specific objectives. I also try to add elements of theory, history, culture, and even life lessons to apply to the topics we address. Because of my background in pastoral ministry, I can serve as a mentor addressing the emotional and relational issues of playing music as well as its technical aspects.

*** Studio Equipment ***
upstairs music room: fender Rhodes piano, keyboards, amps, drum set, seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
if for guitar or bass, that instrument; I expect piano students to have an available keyboard and for other students to have their own instrument(s).

*** Specialties ***
strong in jazz, rock, pop, gospel, sacred, R&B.

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.

ach lesson will give you hands-on exercises along with insights to delve into your creativity. It is highly important to determine what each student's goal is in order to design the course. So, please consult with me!

- Recital Preparation, College Application Prep.

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2. Singing

- Optimal Singing Body

Although the health of your body is crucial in performing any kinds of instruments, singing needs your body to be the most optimal condition because Your Body Is Your Instruments.

I will help you to keep up with taking care of your body in terms of singing. There are techniques that you can learn to maximize your singing ability. I will share them with you each session.

- Finding your Own Voice

We will work together to discover what styles that suit your voice most. And, we will get your unique voice emerge, so that you don't try to sing like someone, but you actually sing it.

- Basic Musicality - pith, rhythm, expressions!
Even when you are physically ready, if your brain doesn't understand what you are hearing and singing, you aren't going anywhere. Ear training with me will improve this area, for sure.

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3. Composition

- Theory that prepares you to Compose:

To get you ready to compose, you need to know a bit about 'Harmony, Counterpoint', which has been a powerful tool for generations. If you are not going to master classical composition, however, it can be overwhelming. I will walk you through the most important materials that you need to know to start your composition.

- Your Actual Compositions Down!
We will work together to finish your compositions either on paper, recording or both at the end of the semester. You will be proud of yourself to have your portfolio!

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4. Combinations
I also offer the combination of each area described above.
I recommend to spend at least 30 min for each area though.

Thank you so much for reading the introduction. I would be really happy to hear from you and to have a chance to improve our "music life" together eventually.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Upright Piano, Keyboard, Video/Audio Recording, Sequencing Device, Korean Percussions

*** Travel Equipment ***
Car

*** Specialties ***
Piano: Classical, Jazz, Pop and Technique

Voice Coaching in various style

Composition: Finding your own voice in writing

Korean Drumming: Janggu and Korean Rhythms

and Albany Records.

with bands around the northeast U.S., & have performed with internationally acclaimed artists such as Nona Hendryx, Simon Shaheen, & Richard Devine. In the past 6 years, I've performed in 8 countries - USA, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Brazil, Turkey, & Ghana.