North Bergen, NJ Music Theory Lessons

work in music reading of standard music notation and TAB;

* Fretboard navigation, pick-control and fingerstyle techniques.

* Song repertoire knowledge and memorization

*Solo guitar interpretation of popular songs as well as accompaniment styles appropriate for backing your or another's voice;
*Ear-training and Music theory is incorporated into each lesson.

NYSSMA preparation is available for both Classical and Jazz auditions.

Piano lessons are available with concentration in proper hand mechanics and technique, theory, ear-training and music reading. NYSSMA preparation up through level 4 is available.

*** Lesson Details ***
My guitar lessons follow a structured format. I begin with technical exercises for both the picking/strumming hand and the fretting hand, leading to good sound production. As students learn to achieve well-balanced tones, they learn to apply that to the written page using standard music notation and the TAB system. From single notes, students learn to build harmony, (chords), from 2 notes, to 3, and thereafter, 4. Song repertoire is built from a variety of sources including published method books. Memorization of song repertoire is stressed.

After the student has learned the notes and scales in the first position as well as the associated chords, he/she can learn songs of his/her choosing from the Folk, Pop, Classical and Jazz repertoire that is appropriate to his/her current level.

Piano method books used include the Dozen-A-Day and Hanon technique exercises as well as the Schaum and Michael Aaron method book series'.

NYSSMA training/coaching is available for both piano and guitar with suitable training beginning a least a year before the NYSSMA audition is to take place.

The Guitar student should have a good quality guitar, (steel strings, nylon strings, or steel-string electric) professionally set-up with light-gauged strings (for the beginners), a strap, a music stand, and time and space in the home in order to encourage a daily routine of practice.

The Piano student should have daily access to a piano or keyboard instrument with weighted keys in order to be able to practice lesson material daily.

For young students, a practice chart is given where a student is to mark his/her practice time in order for progress to be made.

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a dedicated room in my home that is set up for private practice and teaching. It has an electronic piano, folding chairs, a music stand and guitar amplifiers and cables.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I bring an acoustic guitar with me to all out-going lessons so that I can play along with the student and demonstrate techniques as necessary. I bring extra blank sheets of music writing paper, fret board diagrams, and study sheets, as well as extra copies of the books I use most frequently. I can purchase books/materials for the student, with the student's or parent/guardian's reimbursement, or the student may purchase materials on their own.

*** Specialties ***
Pick-style and finger-style guitar, both acoustic and electric; music reading, music theory; re-harmonization and arrangement techniques to make a song your own!

hings (e.g. picks, music stands, metronomes, etc... at students expense) if asked. Student should provide instrument

*** Specialties ***
beginner on all instruments and rock guitar.

and Radio City Music Hall, 54 Below, The Jazz Standard, Bowery Ballroom, Shapeshifter and Flushing Town Hall in New York, my fire for wanting to develop my teaching did also. I was always thinking back to what my old teachers gave me, inspiration. I then understood that inspiration is the key to success in life.

*** Lesson Details ***
Lessons will be something the student looks forward to every week. We will work through common method books and learn material that the student has an interest in. For example, some students want to learn to play high notes, a popular song, improvise, or write their own songs. I am a laid back guy, but I do expect effort in the lessons and at home. I believe whatever you put into music is what you get out of it, and I will inspire and motivate the student to get as much out of the lessons as they can. Students will create, with my advisement, and update short term and long term goals every few months.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Keyboard or Piano and Music Stand

*** Travel Equipment ***
They should provide their instrument, instrument care products (valve oil), method books and sheet music.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in jazz and classical music. I use many common methods depending on how the student tends to learn the best, and will even combine different methods if the student requires it.

ot only with a wide variety of students, but also of instruments; specializing in Strings and Percussion. He has helped students achieve excellent NYSSMA scores, as well as prepare for recitals and gigs of their own, and to equal merit has helped dozens of passionate hobbyists discover the delightful inner workings of the music they love. With such a wide variety of experience performing not only different styles of music, but also on several different instruments, he is well equipped to help any student grow to their fullest potential, from young beginners to adult professionals.

*** Lesson Details ***
I take a great amount of pride in what I do, and I am very proud of the results I have achieved with every single student. Lessons are planned on an individual basis, in order to facilitate success for every student, based on their own needs, requirements, interests, and goals.

With me, students will learn Etudes, Scales, Pieces, and anything else they wish to know! (including instrument upkeep, music history, ext.)

*** Studio Equipment ***
Piano, Two drum sets, electric basses, guitar and bass amplifiers, guitars, two double-basses, over a dozen music theory books and music encyclopedias, and a Mac book.

*** Travel Equipment ***
students should have their own instrument for piano, guitar, bass lessons. I can provide a bass for double-bass lessons. I can provide an amplifier for all lessons, though I recommend the student have their own. I do own a travel drum set that can be transported to lessons upon request, but all drum students should own their own drum set to practice and perform on.

*** Specialties ***
I am experienced with Strings, (orchestral as well as electric guitar and bass), piano, and percussion.

folk, punk, and experimental music. In my free time I like to circuit bend.

*** Lesson Details ***
When you take lessons from me expect to be inspired and pushed. I thoroughly love teaching music and want the best for my students. I try my best to involve and invite students to join or listen to live music ensembles, recitals, and performances of different genres. I teach all styles of music for voice, piano, and guitar. I am very diligent with practicing, teaching you how to practice, and keeping track of it. In 3 or 6 months you will have a basic understanding of music theory and a solid foundation of piano, voice, or guitar techniques. I thrive to boost self esteem and confidence in all the students that I teach. I also teach composition, students really enjoy writing their own songs and performing them.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I can provide a guitar. I expect students that want voice or piano lessons to have some kind of keyboard in working condition.

*** Specialties ***

As a member of of MTNA (Music Teachers National Association) I am able to give your students great resources and opportunities to enter competitions.

I am also a member of New York State Music Teachers Association.

I am also a Pro Tools certified user.

ool, I continued through middle school. There I was placed on drum kit and thought I was the coolest. I didn't take it too seriously but serious enough to keep playing drum kit. When choosing high schools I wasn't interested in keeping with drums. I only took marching band because it meant no gym. After my first year I was placed in every band the next three years, having to learn timpani and marimba for concert band. I was also recommended to join a city wide concert band, InterSchool orchestras of New York, and haven't left since. I still coach the band and help tons of high school and middle school students hone their craft. Also that year, through ISO, I was given a chance to attend French woods performing arts camp on scholarship where I began my love of playing in musical pit orchestras. Through this time I studied with a couple of teachers and had plenty of coachings with professional percussionists. Upon graduating I have played well over 100 different musicals, played with over 25 different orchestras, and have taught over 100 students both privately and in coachings. I currently run a Drumline out of a private school, coach ISO band, freelance and have a studio of 8 students. That is a short sample of my journey and I hope it inspires you to study with me.

If you choose me as a teacher, I will shape you as an overall musician, not just a "Drummer". What this means is that you won't just learn beats from me, you will learn all the fundamentals of basic to intermediate music theory, from note reading and rhythm to chord changes and ..... You will start on a practice pad and quickly go to a drum kit. Lessons will be half and half, but more 75/25 drumkit, because everything you learn on a pad can translate to the kit! I would also teach you timpani and xylophone if you like so you can broaden your horizons and even get into the middle/high school or college you want. I have most of my books of pdf that I can give you to print or you can purchase your own copies. You would also need to purchase a practice pad and eventually a drum kit. If you don't want to purchase a drum kit then there is almost no reason to study it since you won't be able to practice between lessons. Practicing, let's talk about that. It is expected that you practice the material we learn in the lesson throughout the week. Now I know everyone is busy, but if you can put aside 25 minutes (a sitcom without commercials!!) a day then you will have a better understanding and better retention of the material. Doing this will let us just review the material a little bit and go on to learn new and exciting things.

The bottom line in choosing me? I am a professional musician in the trenches of the nyc music scene and know what it takes to make it.

The Drifters, Del Shannon, The Shirelles, The Marvelettes, The Crystals, Chuck Berry, Leslie Gore and believe it or not Tiny Tim. I played guitar, harmonica, mandolin and banjo in productions of: Hair, Tommy, Big River, Fiddler On The Roof and Grease. I composed my own music and performed and co-wrote with others who also wrote their own music. I have always taught private guitar lessons as far back as I can remember. One notable student was Stevie Wonder's son Keita who I taught for 2 years at Stevie's home in northern New Jersey as well as CBS News Anchor Charles Osgood's daughter Annie. Currently I teach 20 private guitar students a week.. From 1994 to 2000, I was the guitarist for The Royal Scam (a Steely Dan Tribute) and during that period I was hired by Hal Leonard Music Corp. to write a guitar transcription book called "The Best of Steely Dan". I was also hired by Brother International Corp. to compose and record a national radio jingle called "P-Touch", with Corey Glover from the rock band Living Colour doing the vocal tracks.
In 1996 I went to William Paterson University to obtain my teacher certification in music education. After the 9/11 attacks, I co-wrote and arranged "America Home Of The Free". The song was used to raise thousands of dollars for the victims of The World Trade Center attacks. Presently I divide my time between teaching, which I enjoy as much as performing and playing guitar with a jazz quartet called ....and All That Jazz, whose 2005 CD "Reflections" was recorded, mixed and mastered in my home based 24 track recording studio in northern NJ. I am also involved in a mandolin / classical guitar project called Music Of The Ages and perform with a 10 piece band called Epic Soul.
As a teacher I am very patient with students and enjoy helping them reach their own musical goals. I emphasize knowing the basics and encourage students to study music theory and basic reading of standard notation. I always ask my students to bring in songs they want to learn as a way to motivate them to practice more.

*** Lesson Details ***
GUITAR: I expect my students to practice at least 5 days a week for at least a 1/2 hour per day. I use the Suzuki method for young students ages 8 to10. We continue learning basic folk songs by ear and then start reading standard notation and basic theory within 6 to 8 months along with classical guitar duets. For older students I use the Hal Leonard guitar method. After 3 months of lessons students can expect to know the basic open position chords and strum patterns to some basic songs as well as some famous guitar riffs and also be able to read some basic melodies in standard notation. After 6 months students will be able to play a 12 bar blues and improvise with the pentatonic and blues scales as well as learn moveable scales and chords and apply these to songs.

PIANO: I also start young piano students with the Suzuki method so they can play some five finger familiar melodies in a short time period. Then we progress to reading notation and eventually adding chord accompaniment to melodies. I use the Faber piano method for reading standard notation.

*** Studio Equipment ***
24 track recording studio, room for parents to sit 14' x 21'...completely furnished studio with guitars, amps, piano, drum machine, synthesizer, microphones...the works.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Students need a good quality and proper size guitar (for very young students) a music stand (for their home use) a foot stool, a metronome and books I assign along with an 8 1/2" X 11" blank manuscript book and a folder with side pockets to hold handout sheets. Piano students need their own instrument and the above materials minus the foot stool.

*** Specialties ***
Suzuki classical guitar, classic rock, blues, jazz , popular, funk, country, folk, finger picking and pick style and piano.

studio. I expect a student to have their own instrument, although I can supply one of my instruments for lessons at my studio.

*** Specialties ***
I can teach from beginner to very advanced on guitar, bass guitar and upright bass in the styles of Rock, Jazz, Blues, Pop, R&B, Hip-Hop etc. I also have experience in other subjects such as Logic Pro, Composition, Music Theory, Djembe. My focus is usually on performance for guitar/bass and composition/production for the other fields.

h me, each lesson starts with an assessment. Then, we start with where you are at that moment and push your technique to the next level. Afterwards, I will send you an email with notes from the lesson and your homework.

My goal is cultivate your technique and discipline to take you to the next level of your performance.

*** Studio Equipment ***
-Digital piano
-Large mirror (to see your technique)
-Sound-proof practice room
-Parking

*** Travel Equipment ***
Digital piano for in-home voice lessons.

*** Specialties ***
Beginner voice for non-singers, new singers, or singers that have been out of the game for a while.

Audition prep for both film/stage acting and singing auditions. (Great results!)