Wake Forest, NC Piano Lessons

ate his background to his student's learning experiences and progress. As each student comes with his or her individual musical wants and interests, student lessons are designed to meet these needs of a particular student. Charlie has young students of ages 5 to 14 as well as students of upper ages. According to a student's level of musicianship (beginner, advanced or in between), students are taught how to read music, music theory in relation to their progress, chords, scales and how to write/compose their own songs. He has designed a method of teaching which is full of great musical exercises & fun illustrations for the young student to enjoy while learning skills on their instrument.

For example, students can began with simple fingerings of chords & beginning melodies played in slow rhythms to allow the student to develop at a comfortable pace. Students that can not read music notation begin simple reading exercises of note recognition, time signatures, note values, eye hand coordination and more.

*** Lesson Details ***
I design student lessons according the age, playing level and music related interests as lessons can cover a broad range of interests and musical styles. For my beginning students- to develop their understanding of playing chords and rhythms,
I teach chords as they relate to musical keys and some common rhythm patterns used in many popular songs.

For guitar students, I have designed & developed my own materials for guitar (sheets & accompanying CD) which guide students in practicing chords progressions, strum/rhythm patterns & scales/melodies in relation to chords. My students have shown much success in these methods of concentrating on developing that essential sense & feel for playing different rhythm styles. Piano instruction is centered on learning to read music notation and music theory as it relates to the student's progress.

As students advance, more emphasis is placed on improvising on melodies, different approaches to soloing and chord extensions and substitutions. Also, students are taught music theory as it relates to their progress to enable them to create their own music.

I have a good selection of method books and materials to fit each student's level of musicianship and choice of playing style(s) to extend upon their interests and goals.

My approach to teaching is to make lessons fun and enjoyable in a comfortable and relaxed setting to allow the student full
concentration on each lesson. But, also to provide the necessary guidance and encouragement to challenge and motivate students to improve and develop natural strengths and new skills.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have a good selection of materials (many I've developed), extra instruments if needed and recording equipment. The student will need the instrument and an amp for electric guitar.

*** Specialties ***
Teach theory as relates to students progress- examples, chords as relate to major scales, understanding of I IV V chords
in popular music genres, develop knowledge of chords & rhythmic sense before learning songs. I teach in styles of blues,
rock. jazz, country and classical.

atient and encouraging teacher, though I do expect students to prepare for lessons and improve over time. Lessons and curricula are tailored to the individual, depending on the student's goals. Should those goals change over the course of his/her study, the curriculum and lesson format will reflect that change. I believe in a well-rounded education, incorporating not only memorization or sight-reading (for example), but the underlying theories and relevant historical information. Most importantly, I will endeavor to make lessons enjoyable as well as educational for all involved!

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide sight-reading/singing materials, handouts, and copies of music. I expect the student to provide his/her own instrument, textbook, and staff paper.

*** Specialties ***
Music Theory/Aural Skills: tonal through post-tonal theory, including counterpoint, part-writing, Roman numeral analysis, set theory; tonal and atonal sight singing (with solfege, numbers, and European letter names), rhythmic and melodic dictation, chord series

Piano: primarily tonal music (Baroque through Romantic), sight-reading, show tunes, popular songs

to be successful at your instrument.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Stands, Chairs, Recording Equipment and Sound Playback if needed.

Can do Smart Music.

*** Travel Equipment ***
My Chrysler 2011 - if needed.

*** Specialties ***
Saxophones and Clarinets - Young Piano. Beginning ALL Band Instruments.

*** In Studio or Online ***
Of course it is more enjoyable if you can have lessons in person. But with modern technology, live online lessons come in a close second. I've been teaching for 40 years and I've been doing online lessons for about 7 years. I'm located in West Hills, which is a suburb of Los Angeles. If you are not local, using skype with a webcam works out surprisingly well. I have students in Sydney, London, Hong Kong and many cities throughout the US.

*** Use a Piano or a Keyboard for Practicing ***
I am not fussy if you use a keyboard but it needs to be a "weighted action" keyboard, so that it feels similar to a real piano. Ideally, you should also have a pedal and a stand if you are using an electronic keyboard.

*** Unconventional Approach ***
Each student is taught with a customized approach. You get to tell me what areas you want to focus on. Sometimes there may be a block or something that is a weakness that you need to bolster. Sometimes it is a narrow niche within music that you want to give your attention to. One way that I'm unconventional is that I actually have found that it is NOT better if you practice every day. I recommend that you build in about three days of rest per week. Just like people who work out at the gym learn that the off days are when the muscles regenerate, the same is true for your brain. This allows your subconscious mind to do its job and your progress will actually be faster, not slower. Another example of my unique approach is how I treat beginners. Even though you may not yet read music very well or at all, it doesn't mean that you can't start working concurrently on a more advanced piece. This is because READING notation is a comparatively slow process, but why should we restrict your ability to play something that you love to your rate of reading music? Usually, our FINGER TECHNIQUE develops much faster than our READING so I'm happy to guide you on one or two more difficult pieces and help spoon-feed it to you, bit by bit, "by rote."

*** Areas of Focus ***
-Finger Technique. How to play fast with ultimate control.
-Sight-Reading How to Read Music at Sight
-Rhythm Training
-Music Theory
-Interpretation
-Injury-Retraining
-Relaxation, Removing Unnecessary Tension
-Pain-Reduction
-Practice-Optimization - How to learn more in less time. -How to memorize music.
-Biomechanical Efficiency - Maximum power with minimum effort.
-Time-Management
-Improvisation and creativity development techniques
-Composition & Songwriting.
-How to create melodies for your poems and lyrics.
-How to put chords on your melodies.
-How to create “song sheets,” lead sheets and how to write music down on paper.
-How to notate your song so others can play it, without knowing how to read music!
-Chord-Reading and How to Play Lead Sheets & Fake Book
-Musical Styles and Piano Arrangements (Pop, Country, Gospel, Blues, R&B, Rock, Reggae, Hip Hop, Worship, Church, Hymns, Techno, 50s, Jazz, New Age, Folk, Broadway, Pop Ballade, etc.)
-Ear-Training (How to Play by Ear, Playing by Ear)
-Singers’ Tools
-Pitch Control Training
-Self-Accompanying
-How to Sing Harmony
-Sight-Singing (How to Hear the Notes in Your Mind)
-Self-Accompanying techniques in every style - Learn how to accompany yourself or learn how to accompany singers. (see “Musical Styles” above.)
-Audition Preparation - I will record the melody of the song for you so you can learn it.
-How to put melody to lyrics
-College Preparation
-Performance Anxiety, Stage Fright, Fear
-Releasing Emotional Obstacles to Playing Emotional Blocks, Healing Piano Trauma and Previous Performance Disasters, Piano Therapy
-Learning Disabilities including ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, Dyscalculea, Sensory Integration Disorder
-Motiviation Issues - Solving your procrastination and avoidance of your musical growth issues.
-How to Look Like You’ve Played Piano for Years (for Actors, Singers and Celebrities Who Have A Role Deadline and Need a Crash Course.)

*** Celebrity Piano Teacher ***
Over the years, I've taught many pro musicians and celebrities. These include: Vonda Shepard, David E. Kelley, Dick Gautier, Michelle Pfeiffer, Pray Harper, Peter Horton, Michael Goodrich, Brianna Haynes, Starr Parodi, Briana Evigan, Stuart Ross, Roger Burnley, Chris Hardin, Stu Simone and Ben Bram.

*** Howard's Teachers Go Back To Beethoven ***
I feel grateful that my own training included top teachers of both the “German School” and “Russian School” of piano technique. Generally, the German School teaches how to play with close-to-the-key hand placement preparation and fingering efficiency, and is known for great speed and accuracy. The Russian School teaches how to play with gravity and relaxation and is known for beautiful tone production. Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses. In my own playing and teaching, I have incorporated the good aspects of each and have discarded the bad. The result is a blueprint for biomechanical efficiency and beautiful sound, making it the best of both worlds. Please see the photo of the "piano lineage chart."

Communications, concentration in photography.

iable connection that people will never forget.

chamber and orchestra concerts. You will definitely learn more than you thought form me!!

to play contemporary music using chord sheets, or both depending on the goals and preference of the student.

As a professional recording artist, I have released my own project, Psalms 37:25 in April of 2016. I have written songs for gospel independent artists, choirs, and worship teams. I love to mentor students who want to become effective, dynamic songwriters.

My personal passion is to develop the whole musician towards their personal development, sound, and style. I strongly believe that a strong foundation in theory and technique is essential to any and every style. I look forward to meeting you and helping you to become a better musician!