Highland Park, NJ Music Theory Lessons

ol, Pasadena City College, LA Valley College, LA Academy, Music Training Center and several other institutions.

*** Lesson Details ***
My goal for the first lesson, is to get to know my student. I want to find out who their favorite bands/drummers are, what their lesson goals are and most importantly, how they learn best. I can adapt my teaching approach to suit each individual student. I am patient and encourage my students to practice. I believe that anyone can become a drummer.

*** Studio Equipment ***
"Light and Sound Studio" is a full service audio/video/lesson studio with state of the art equipment.

*** Specialties ***
I teach reading and writing music notation as well as to play by ear. I specialize in Jazz, Rock, Blues, Country, Metal, and Latin styles. I know heel-up, heel-down, and heel-toe bass drum pedal technique.

Classes are offered in-person, in a rehearsal studio in New York, at your home, or online via Google Hangout.

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Brass Instruments
Trombone - (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Professional)
Euphonium - (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
Tuba - (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
French Horn - (Beginner & Intermediate)
Trumpet - (Beginner & Intermediate)

Rhythm Instruments
Piano - (Beginner & Intermediate)
Guitar - (Beginner & Intermediate)
Bass - (Beginner & Intermediate)

Lessons for Musicians
Composition / Arranging - (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
Composition - (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
Mixing, Mastering, Recording (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
Music Production, Ableton Live (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
Music Production, Logic Pro (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)
Music Theory, Classical & Jazz (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)

About the classes:
Curious and committed? Let’s work together. All age levels and skill levels are welcome. Never touched the instrument before? No problem. Need some advanced ideas for fixing an embouchure issue? I’ve got you covered. If needed, I’ll even work with you to find an instrument to play during our lessons.

Overview of curriculum:
In beginner lessons we will explore the basics: the sound of a instrument, how to use it, daily routines for practicing, scales, sight reading, and most importantly, learning how to learn.

In intermediate lessons, and to solidify, build on, and better explain the basics, we will explore reading music, playing by ear, music theory (scales, chords, why they matter, and how to use them), how to practice, different genres of music (with and without trombone in them)

In advanced lessons you we will explore more into advances concepts and pieces for whichever genre you would like to explore while building on previous concepts.

Logistics
Reach out for details if you are interested!
Lesson prices range depending on frequency, duration and location.
And, are typically 1 hour long, 1-2x a week.

Trombone Lessons, Life Lessons [can also be used for piano etc.]

You may not know it yet, but you will like learning how to play the trombone. It’s held firm that some of the most important life lessons can be learned through music—especially about learning who you are, what freaks you out, and what really motivates you.

About the classes / What you will learn:
I welcome all students who are curious to learn and committed to practice. All levels and all ages are welcome; whether you’ve never touched the instrument before or you just need a little help fixing an embouchure issue, or even out those lip slurs (the never ending battle!!!). If needed I will provide a trombone for you to play during in-person rehearsals, as you find an instrument to rent or purchase.

These classes embrace a holistic teaching method, where principles of music are interwoven with observations about life on a larger scale. They can be taken taken in-person, in a rehearsal studio in New York, at your home, or virtually.

Overview of curriculum:
In beginner lessons we will explore the basics: the sound of a trombone, how to the instrument together, hold it, breathe, embouchure,articulation, posture, daily routines for practice, basic scales and not reading, but most importantly, we will learn how to learn.

In intermediate lessons, and to solidify, build on, and better explain the basics, we will explore reading music, playing by ear, music theory (scales, chords, why they matter, and how to use them), how to practice, different genres of music (with and without trombone in them)

In advanced lessons you we will explore more into advances concepts and pieces for whichever genre you would like to explore while building on previous concepts.

Logistics
Reach out for details if you are interested!
Lesson prices range depending on frequency, duration and location.
And, are typically 1 hour long, 1-2x a week.

About the teacher:
I first picked up a trombone when I was 12, and have not put it down for the past 18 years. After being awarded an “Excellent Player” Award by the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society which led to the opportunity of performing with a professional Jazz Band, performing with a number of honor bands in middle and teaching at a music camp 3 summers of high school career. I decided to pursue music in College. I received a Bachelors of Music Classical Trombone Performance from California State University, San Jose. I’ve been performing professionally for 7 years and have played in every genre I could get my hands on (Classical, Jazz, Funk, Soul, Hip Hop, Musicals, Ska, Electronic).

Testimonial:
"Daniel has been teaching trombone to my teenage son. There are many aspects of his way of teaching that make him such an excellent teacher. First of of all, he is a true musician. He has an uncanny ability to share his passion for music before getting into teaching technicalities. He takes care of every musical aspect: musical knowledge, breath control, tone quality, tonguing, dynamics, and mutes. I highly recommend him. My only regret is that, since he left California, he will only be a treasure for New Yorkers...

I also offer hour lessons

30 minute voice/speech session - Typically work improving your voice through various exercises and strategies. I also offer hour lessons

*** Studio Equipment ***
I use my Macbook Pro to record lessons and distribute them to students via a free Dropbox account. IN PERSON LESSONS ONLY.

work with many schedules and work loads, but I expect my students to put at least half the effort into their lessons that I do!

in your individual gifts. My students have gone on to study voice in college and university, perform in musical theater, sing in rock bands, children and adult choirs and even win a competition or two. I love hearing my students perform, and feel that an opportunity to sing in front of others builds confidence and ability. I take pride in arranging recitals for my students who would like this opportunity.

*** Lesson Details ***
My lessons with always begin with warm ups and technique. We'll also focus on an important principal topic, such as breath and support, vowel placement or expression. We'll use some exercises that I have already, or perhaps a new one just for your needs (once I get to know your voice) to help you achieve our goals. We'll then work on 1-2 songs. You'll probably have picked one, and I may have picked one. The concept that we worked on in our technique session will be applied directly to the songs you are working on. You can learn so many different things in each song, we may practice your songs, using a different goal in several different lessons.
All of my students get a chance to perform in occasional "vocal class" settings, where you can sing your favorite songs for one another, in a fun, laid back environment. All students are welcome to participate in an annual recital for their family and friends too! Piano lessons are designed to suit your needs. We can work on the basics for classical playing, read chords, jazz improv and more.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have my own music studio set up in my apartment. On teaching days, my living room can be a comfortable waiting room for parents/guardians. You are all most welcome to relax, have a cup of tea or coffee and listen to our lessons. I do ask that you do not sit inside the studio (at least not after the first lesson) as this can be distracting for your child. My studio is equipped with a music stand, upright piano, work sheets for theory, pencils and crayons. I also have a full Broadway and classical music library that students can borrow from, CD/DVD's that can be borrowed, and a New Grove Reference set.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I bring some music, until we assess the student's needs, then they may buy some books, while I provide the rest. I bring theory worksheets, stickers, pencils etc. If a student would like to sing/play a particular song (Broadway/pop etc) I may have it in my music library.If I do not, the student will need to purchase the music they would like to sing. The student would need a keyboard/piano in their home should I travel. I have a piano in my home.

*** Specialties ***
Classical singing, Musical Theater, Jazz, music for young children, pop singing, audition preparation, beginning music for adults.

sson Details ***
For piano and voice, I incorporate basic music theory methods but I also focus on ear training as well. My ultimate goal when teaching is for the student to have a visceral experience while playing or singing.

For audio engineering, I go over audio recording techniques and the tools & equipment needed to produce a professional sounding song.

I enjoy imparting my knowledge of music to others and I demonstrate that enthusiasm in my teaching style. I love relating what I'm teaching a student to his/her learning style. Figuring out how someone learns is a key component to my method and I'm a better instructor because of it.

*** Studio Equipment ***
lives in a brownstone three story home with recording studio f/w 88 keys seating for parents

*** Travel Equipment ***
Piano, a keyboard with 88 keys and sustain pedal.

*** Specialties ***
Classical, music theory and ear training

h to music education, which focuses on gesture, improvisation, coordination, and command over the musical language.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Steinway upright, couch, and plant

*** Travel Equipment ***
I will provide books for the lesson, xeroxes for students, pencils, staff paper, etc. Students should buy or copy music as appropriate.

*** Specialties ***
Piano: beg to adv - prefers inter to adv

I am trained in Dalcroze Education, which is an approach to music education that uses movement to connect what the ear hears and what the mind knows. In the piano lesson, I draw from what I have developed in the classroom, including improvisation, dis-ordination, kinaesthetic awareness, and notation.

New York City in Midtown Manhattan on the West Side. I began performing professionally at age 16, doing session work, teaching and performing. I attended the National Guitar Summer Workshop, New Milford, Connecticut, to diversify my skills, participating in master classes with guitar icons Vinnie Moore, Stanley Jordan and Mick Goodrick.

I started college at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, and completed a Bachelor of Music degree summa cum laude, studying jazz guitar and composition/arranging, as well as completd the Honors program at Temple University's Esther Boyer College of Music. My studies included jazz guitar with Tom Giacobetti and Ed Flanagan; jazz composition/arranging with Don Glanden, Ben Schacter and Larry McKenna; and classical composition with Matthew Greenbaum, Ph.D., Maurice Wright, D.M.A., Richard Brodhead, Ph.D., and Mark Rimple, D.M.A. I also conducted/arranged the School's Jazz Vocal Ensemble and was awarded membership in the Golden Key Honor Society. I also studied guitar privately with Shrapnel/Tone Center recording artist Greg Howe, Lasers Edge recording artist Scott McGill and Jazz icons Pat Martino (Blue Note) and Jimmy Bruno (Mel Bay).

I earned a Masters of Arts degree in music composition at Rutgers University, studying with world renowned, Pulitzer Prize winning composer Charles Wuorinen. In my first year, he was awarded a Teaching Assistantship in Music Composition and Theory.

I pursued additional studies (and master classes) in composition with celebrated composers Aaron Jay Kernis, Harvey Sollberger, Jukka Tiensuu, David Felder, Mario Davidovsky, Charles Fussell, Austin Clarkson and George Russell; film score orchestration with Scott Smalley (Film Music Institute) and film scoring with Rick Baitz (The Manhattan Producer's Alliance), as well as performance studies with Wynton Marsalis, Max Roach, Billy Taylor, Bill Shindling, Magmus Andersson, Stu Hamm, Terry Bozzio, Frank Gambale, Larry Mitchell, Andy Timmons, Adrian Legg and Blues Saraceno.

I was the Music Director and conductor for the Mondfleck Orchestra, Music Director and Composer-In-Residence for the Trash Can Society Theater Company and composer for improv theater group, The Glass Metropolis Project.

I released my critically acclaimed debut CD, a collection of virtuosic instrumental guitar music and have been interviewed and featured in many publications and websites worldwide, including Guitar Player, Guitar World, 20th Century Guitar, Guitar Chef (Italy), Guitar Mania (Canada), among many others. I was selected as a Top 5 Finalist in the 2006 North American Rock Guitar Competition, presented by Guitar Player magazine and Gibson guitars and was inducted as a new member into the 2007 Independent Artist Registry.

I was selected to be a part of the June in Buffalo Festival for Emerging Composers in Buffalo, New York, where celebrated pianist Marilyn Nonken performed my solo piano piece, Aerial Surveying. I was commissioned to compose, conduct and perform the music for Sirens, a modern dance presentation in collaboration with celebrated choreographer Julia Ritter. I was also commissioned to write a modern composition for Renaissance lute titled A Mosaic of Cement and Barbed Wire, performed at the Sarah Lawrence Summer Guitar Institute. My piece, Like Giants Through a Keyhole, trio for flute, cello and piano performed as part of the Network for New Music's Cross-Currents in Jazz and New Music: The Schooling and School of Stefan Wolpe series. My orchestra composition, Ideological Explosions of the Absurd Hero, was performed in Milan, Italy.

My music has been featured throughout film and television. I have composed the scores for many feature films, television, web and ad campaigns, and my music has been featured on MTV, VH1, NBC, CBS, ABC, Discovery, History Channel, PBS, etc.

I was a featured speaker at the Music for My Web Series Panel as part of the BlogWorld & New Media Expo held at the Javits Center in NYC on June 7, 2012.

I am a proud endorsee of Seymour Duncan pickups, Morley pedals, Madison Amps, Curt Mangan strings and Neck Sock.

*ASCAP affiliated composer and publisher

*International Alliance Of Composer's member

*Independent Film Project (IFP) member

*** Lesson Details ***
Guitar, Music Theory, Composition/Arranging, Songwriting, Improvisation and Home Recording.

Instruction in any style - Rock, Jazz, Blues, Funk, Metal, Shred, Progressive, Classical, Folk, R&B, etc.,

*20 Years of Teaching experience, privately, in music schools and in universities. *

ALL LEVELS
For all ages. From beginner to advanced!

I am also a University Faculty and hold both a Bachelors of Music and Masters in Music

I am located in Midtown Manhattan on the West Side in a relaxed comfortable environment.

Learn the kind of music you want to learn. We will always focus on the music you want to play and use examples of the music and performers that you want to play to teach each new technique. That way it’s always FUN! The way it should be.

Learn the techniques to reach your fullest potential in speed, dexterity, strength and musicality. My technique, derived from classical, jazz, fusion, rock, blues, metal and shred players, includes specific exercises to help develop proficiency in both hands for the best results.

Music Theory: Musical concepts and terminologies, presented in the simplest and clearest way, unlock musicians’ secrets and help you understand and apply theoretical ideas to achieve your greatest potential and musical competence.

Improvisation: Learn soloing, melodic phrasing, rhythmic analysis and how to apply various musical styles and articulations, along with scales for all types of chords and key structures, including major/minor, pentatonic, blues, modes, harmonic and melodic minor modes, as well as exotic and synthetic scales - all skills for lead guitarists. Practice diverse approaches to various musical genres and proficiencies.

Soloing: Master advanced techniques including legato, alternate, economy and hybrid picking, sweep picking, arpeggios, double stops and much more. Become an accomplished melodic guitarist, know how to play whatever you want and reach your optimum level of proficiency.

Chord Structures: Learn modulation, transposition, inversions, voicings and the use of extended and advanced chords from basic triads to sevenths and compound extensions, as well as songwriting, accompaniment and creating chord progressions. You will explore the essential vocabulary and exercises for writing guitar parts, songs and chord-based harmonies.

Composition: Cover all aspects of composition and songwriting for any genre including analysis, harmonic/chord structures and progressions, approaches to melody, counter melody and counterpoint and how to apply these to various styles of music and composition, including arranging and orchestration from rock and pop to jazz and full orchestrations.

Lessons are developed to meet your individual needs and ensure your progress.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have guitars available that students are welcome to use in their lessons, as well as amplifiers, etc.

*** Specialties ***
I am an experienced teacher of guitar, composition, arranging, orchestration, music theory and have developed my own personal teaching concepts and methods for improving technique, chord/scale theory and counterpoint for various styles and genres of music including advanced techniques for Jazz, Pop, Rock, Metal, Shred, Fusion, Blues, others. I have developed teaching methods to improve a students speed, accuracy and facility on the instrument. I am a professional freelance, live, studio and session guitarist, composer, arranger and producer.

of Brazil,  receiving TV and radio coverage. He has also done workshops and performed at the Conservatory of the state of Pernambuco. In August 2004 he performed weekly at Rio Scenarium in Rio de Janeiro. His Band Brooklyn Brazil Bop has played at Joe's Pub as well as Central Park Festival. His band the Brazilian Acoustic ensemble performs periodically at 'Barbes' an important performance space in Brooklyn NY. In 2007 he gave a successful jazz workshop and concert in the city of Florianopolis Brazil. Billy has been awarded 3 prestigious composer's residencies 2006 - Yaddo and 2007 - The MacDowell Colony. He was featured on the PBS news hour during his residence at MacDowell. In 2008 he was awarded another MacDowell residency and followed this with a 3 hour appearance presenting his compositions live on WKCR Jazz Radio and another live radio appearance with band in 2010. Billy regularly plays in many venues around NY in Jazz trio settings as well as with Brazilian vocalists and instrumentalists. Most Recently his groups have been performing at the famed Cornelia Street Cafe in New York City. He also specializes in solo guitar and can double on percussion (Pandeiro) and Cavaquinho. Billy has completed two CD's of his original music and an EP of his original Choro music. He has a BFA in Jazz Performance from CCNY.

Testimonials:
From Coda Magazine August 2012: by Seton Hawkins

Through outstanding collaborations like the Brazilian Acoustic Ensemble, guitarist and composer Billy N has emerged as a leading exponent of the music of Brazil. Exploring far beyond the well-trodden bossa nova path. Billy unearths the full range of styles the country offers, including choro, baiào, valsa and samba, and gives American audiences a rich panoramic glimpse into Brazilian art, highlighting its parallels with progressive jazz.

A recipient of composers residencies at Yaddo and MacDowell Colony, he is the curator of a three-day series at the club dedicated to the country's music. Billy will showcase his own group—a sextet with drummer Matt Kane, bassist Leco Reis, saxophonists Michael Attias and Eric Schugren and trumpeter Ben Holmes—in a concert primarily featuring his original works. SH

Reviews of my Book on Alfred Brazil: Guitar Atlas,  I love this series and this is the best of the six titles I have. Billy really knows his stuff; the analysis of time at the beginning is superb: something I now use in my teaching. This is definitely for intermediate and higher guitarists, but the pieces are worth the effort to get right, and the accompanying CD shows you what you are aiming for. This is as good as my other Brazilian guitar book (by Nelson Faria) and much more compact and easier to follow. Highly recommended!

#2

This book is essential homework for students of Brazilian guitar. It is one of the best resources out there, along with Nelson Faria's "The Brazilian Guitar Book." The original etudes are not only instructional, but are nice pieces in their own right. An excellent value.

*** Lesson Details ***
I've taught all levels over 20 years both in NYC and Brazil. I work with the material that the student wants and also through recordings and charts introduce much music that the student might have been unfamiliar with. My lessons are catered to the individual. There is no obstacle anyone has that is too great to work through. My approach to rhythmic training has helped many. I have simple way of breaking down the guitar fingerboard which can used as a guide to learn harmony. I'll get you into the horizontal aspects of guitar, traveling across the neck, making music across one string as well, mastering the guitar in a small fret range - " vertical position playing".

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have guitar for the student, either electric or nylon. Cavaquinho students bring their instrument. First time students must bring their instrument so I can see what they are playing on.

*** Specialties ***
Brazilian Fingerstyle - Choro, Samba, Baiao Solo
Jazz Guitar - Pick or Fingers
Beginning Flamenco
Cavaquinho
Improvisation for any instrument
Harmony and Theory