Potomac Music Lessons

efWorks Chamber Music Festival, The University of Louisville New Music Festival, and Gregory Singer Concert Series in New York.

Hrant P. is a prize winner in International Competitions including, Houston Symphony Ima Hogg, The Montgomery Symphony Fellowship, Olga Koussevitzky, HAMS, and Hudson Valley. He is an extensive solo as well as chamber music performer who, has appeared frequently in venues such as Weill Recital Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Music Gettysburg, Banff Center for the Arts, and Orford Festival. Recently he has collaborated with artists such as Hans Graf, Carlos Prieto, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Zakhar Bron, Natalya Shakhovskaya, Franz Helmerson, Richard Watkins, and Hansjorg Schellenberger, and Oxana Yablonskaya.

Born in Bulgaria, Hrant P. started the cello at the early under the guidance of his mother. His first recital was at the age of six. Two years later he gave his debut as a soloist performing C.P.E. Bach’s Cello Concerto. Hrant holds bachelor degrees from The Hochschulle fur Music in Wien, The Juilliard School, and received his Masters of Music from Yale School of Music where he studied with world renowned cellist Aldo Parisot.
Recently, Hrant won a position with the Army Band, married pianist Tatjana P., and is the proud father of son Benjamin.

*** Lesson Details ***
I believe that every student has his/her own need because we are all unique as human beings, every one of us has their stronger and weaker skills and my job as a teacher is to find the best tool to pass to the given student.

I am strict but fun, whichever amount the student needs more.

I use the Suzuki books because the songs (and later pieces) in are very good, popular, fun, and evenly progressive.

Achievements depend also on the student and the amount of practicing done at home. I as a teacher can only do that much in passing my knowledge and spur the student own.
Practicing at home is very, very important.

*** Specialties ***
Classical

with legends like Miles Davis.

I have been performing professionally since 1992. I studied education in college and did my student teaching in a music class at Goshen Elementary School in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

I have been teaching music professionally now for over twenty years. Some students want to take a few lessons to see if it is something they will enjoy, others have worked with me for over a decade. I have mentored several students who have gone on to professional careers. I have experienced a lot of success teaching young children and those with special needs. I have been blessed with a tremendous amount of patience and truly enjoy teaching anyone who wants to learn.

Whatever your goals or abilities, I look forward to working with you!

*** Lesson Details ***
Experience fun based lessons as my teaching approach is relaxed and inspirational. I enjoy working with all ages, adjusting my teaching methods to accommodate your learning style and abilities. Learn to play the music you love! You learn best when you enjoy what you are playing, I can help you play along with your favorites or even write your own songs. I always ask my students at the beginning of a lesson "What would you like to do today?" Then structure the lesson accordingly into a routine that the student can practice on their own. Generally the time is divided into warm ups, learning new material, then picking a fun song the student choses. Whether your interest is Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop music, etc... I'm here help you reach your goals so let's make your dreams come true with music together!

*** Travel Equipment ***
Books, Guitar, music stand, metronome, picks, tuner, page clips, capo, media player, laptop, Keyboard (on request), and recording equipment (on request)

*** Specialties ***
With Voice I specialize in helping people prepare for auditions such as American Idol. I have students who simply want to be karaoke stars. I have several professional singers that hire me as a voice coach and producer for recording sessions. I have taught children as young as 2 and those that retired with a lifelong dream to sing. Though my training is classical, I can teach Jazz, Pop, Rock, Rap, R&B, etc...whatever is fun for the student. I highly recommend learning to read music but I do not push it unless parents want their child to.

With Piano I can teach traditionally from Alfred and Bastien Piano Courses depending if they are auditory or visual learners. For Kinesthetic learners I use Hanon scale exercises and Rothman Rhythm Exercises. For those that want to learn notation I introduce classical and Jazz composers unless there is a popular artist/band/movie theme etc...that they would like to learn. However I do not push students to read music unless their parents would prefer it. I tend to keep more students that want to learn to play by ear especially adults by using rhythm training and music theory exercises and then applying them to songs they love. For piano I haven't had much success with children younger than 3. I also have a lot experience working with special needs children.

For Guitar I teach Classical, Acoustic, and Electric all styles and genres. I encourage sight reading but don't mind using tabs. I use more exercises with these students, since the first month students have a hard time making a sound. I try to make the lessons fun by having students strum chords along with songs they chose. I teach lead and rhythm even songwriting and composition. Job satisfaction for me is seeing my students leave a lesson with a smile on their face so I make sure to be a fun based teacher that doesn't give the student a hard time about not practicing.

For Recording and Performance I use the knowledge I gained doing Pro Audio Sales for Guitar Center from 2000-2002 to help clients build their own home studio. I have lots of producers and engineers I work with on a regular basis to produce broadcast quality audio and video recordings and help my students use their lessons and pre-production for those opportunities. I can teach Garage Band or Pro Tools classes on navigating the software and utilizing all the commands. I can also teach room acoustics and using the right microphone and how to position them with the right equipment and the right acoustics to get the best possible tone that they are looking for. I can also teach editing, mixing, looping, sampling, midi, and mastering so that the student can eventually work on their own writing, performing, and recording their music.

hout my high school and college years I participated in contemporary rock ensembles for corporate worship at my church and other churches. This included leading and singing as well. While enrolled at the Biola Conservatory of Music I played in the classical guitar ensemble for 5 semesters. My experience includes playing in jazz ensembles, doing solo guitar music at weddings and art galleries, playing in classical guitar quartets, and active composition and recording of my original work on the guitar. You can expect all of this experience and knowledge to come together in a musically fascinating and motivating way that will fill your life with the joys of being able to express yourself musically if you are willing to give the time and effort to do so. Also...Check out my video and music!

*** Lesson Details ***
My number one goal is to cultivate your desire and passion for musical expression by providing a friendly and inspiring environment in which to experience the joy and beauty of music! You can learn the songs you have always wanted to play and even learn to write your own music! My overall teaching philosophy includes three basic areas of knowledge which work together to form a well educated guitarist. The first area is technical knowledge. The student will be taught to physically utilize the instrument in an efficient and effective way in order to maximize learning progress and musical potential. The second area is in theoretical knowledge which includes reading both music notation and tablature (tablature is an alternative form of written guitar music that is very easy to read). This also includes understanding music theory as it applies to the guitar, and full knowledge of the musical possibilities on the guitar. The third area, my favorite area, is Practical knowledge which includes learning songs by other artists to expand the student'€™s understanding of how other musicians use the instrument (the students choose these songs based on what they like). You will also expand your practical knowledge by directly applying the theoretical knowledge that you have learned. This is done by composing your own music in a creative and original way. I am also a vocalist and am able to coach my students the basics of the voice and how to use the voice and guitar at the same time. As a teacher I strive for excellence in my students by teaching them all that they need to be a well educated guitarist. I will actively and joyfully peruse your interests by tailoring the curriculum to focus on the music that the you love and have a passion for.

I provide my own music curriculum that has been honed over time through my experience as a private teacher. The books that I use will generally differ according to your desires and interests but there are two books that I use for beginners:

1. Mel Bay Modern Guitar Method Grade 1 (this is for beginners in music reading).
2. Solo Guitar Playing Volume 1 (this is for beginners in music reading who are interested in classical training).

After 3 to 6 months of study with me, you will have been taught to read musical notation, have a basic knowledge of chords, and have most of the 5 major scale shapes memorized. You will have learned to pick and strum confidently. Most importantly, you will have learned 3 or 4 songs of your choosing so that you can see the fruit of your musical work and experience the joy of musical expression. (for these results students must be willing to practice for the necessary amount of time: 20-30 minutes a day)

*** Studio Equipment ***
Comfortable quiet room. Recording equipment. Internet musical resources. Guitars, Guitar effects, amps, and hardware. I provide my personally developed teaching material to you. I expect you, as a student, to bring a guitar, picks and a tuner.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide my personally developed teaching material to you. I bring cables and equipment to adapt my guitar to an amp you may have. I also bring maintenance equipment in case I need to work on my guitar or yours. I expect you, as a student, to have a guitar, picks and a tuner. If you are taking electric guitar it is ideal that you have an amp. I also expect you to buy the necessary books. I bring my computer in order to have an internet source and an audio source. I have provided guitars and strings (if one broke during the lesson) in the past to students who are lacking them.

*** Specialties ***
Various Electric Guitar Styles such as Rock, Blues and Jazz harmony; I teach Classical and Acoustic Guitar, Music Theory, Improvisation, Music composition and Finger style.

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*** Lesson Details ***
I tailor the lesson materials to suit the interest of the student but I am dedicated to teaching students at any level to learn to better understand the fundamentals of the language of music. My teaching focuses on critical fundamentals of guitar technique including chords, scales and rhythm guitar playing as well as the art of improvisation. A significant amount of time in the lessons is spent actually playing with the students so that the technical concepts are put to use in real music situations. To further the student's understanding of music I frequently teach elements of music theory to those who are interested.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have guitars and amps available for student use although I prefer that the student bring their own instrument. I also have all the needed accessories, cables, stands etc.

*** Specialties ***
Adult students (and older teenagers ) whether beginners or experienced are a particular specialty of mine. Adult learners want to be treated as adults and often times benefit greatly from a more mentor oriented approach to teaching. I like to describe myself as both a teacher and a coach so as to emphasize that the student and I are on the same team sharing the goal of improving their guitar playing and musicianship. We are both on the same path of musical discovery. I am probably just farther along on that path with insights and knowledge that will hopefully help them along their way.