

Richard C.


Teaching Locations:

About Richard C.
I have studied, performed and taught music for over 30 years. Accordion was my first instrument at age 7 which was a great introduction to the keyboard, melody and harmony. That was followed by guitar and other stringed instruments (Banjo, Ukulele) as well as drums. I studied with great teachers in the past as well as at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. I have also performed at the Cape Cod Jazz Festival, The Bakersfield Jazz Festival and numerous club dates and private functions throughout New York, New England and California.
*** Lesson Details ***
Students will experience an "original" lesson based on how they learn. Some students benefit most from a visual standpoint reading music or tab while others learn best by an auditory or hearing approach. We will explore what works best for you. Whether its blues, rock jazz or other styles, we will find the best avenue to progress toward your goals. At the same time I believe it should always be a fun thing to do!
*** Studio Equipment ***
Guitars - Drums - Banjo - Amplifiers - Piano - Accordion - Ukes and other assorted instruments
*** Specialties ***
Depending on student interest, I teach numerous styles (Rock, Blues Jazz improvisation) by reading music or by ear. Some students are more visual while others are auditory learners. Whichever is best for the student.
Reviews
Write a Review
Patient and helpful

Rich continues to provide very helpful and patient instruction on banjo and other instruments.

One lesson in and I'm glad I chose Richard for my instructor. He's very personable and hit a great balance of making sure I got the basics with a gentle introduction to some musical theory, and he got me started on some exercises so I can jump in and practice over the next week. I had felt a little overwhelmed with where to start learning to play before getting started with lessons, but am now very optimistic that Richard will keep me heading in the right direction.

First lessons are like a first date...I look forward to the second date.

Rich really has a great feel for the needs of the student, And he has a great way of teaching music and music theory to someone who has no background in it. The lessons were a gift from my four boys and I plan on continuing the lessons going forward

The thorough and patient instruction is much appreciated.

It's nice having a pro like Richard customize the lessons because he creates a greater understanding of music theory as a whole and then can bring it back down to a specific application like practicing scales with a clawhammer technique. I can tell he's gradually moving me along to meet my personal goals. You can't get that out of a book or a video.

I had a wonderful first lesson with Richard. It was fun and he taught me exercises that I can actually do and really make music right off the bat. I was scared that I'd be overwhelmed and not be able to do anything right but Richard broke things down into small steps that were easy to follow. I'm really looking forward to my next lesson. Thanks Richard!

Very patient, personable, professional, and purposeful. Each lesson is packed full of building blocks for dexterity and familiarity with the instrument.

Great first lesson. Really helped me get familiar with the instrument and showed me some simple techniques to help train my muscle memory and get comfortable (as I'm left handed playing right handed). Looking forward to next week.

Great first lesson! Very knowledgeable and tailored to my previous (limited) experience.

Richard is a great teacher. He answered all of my questions and made great suggestions. Can’t wait for my next lesson. Thanks, tabatha

Richard is a fantastic instructor that is flexible with may many questions. He answers succinctly, and is willing to go down the rabbit hole with me (I'm a philosophy major). But, he is quick to bring me back to instruction in the playing itself. His patience and persistence are noteworthy. I couldn't have asked for a better instructor to teach me my first instrument.

Clear direction, first session was basic
Anxious to see what the next less will cover

Had a great first lesson with Rich, who was funny, precise, and adaptable.


Only one lesson in so far, but loving it. Friendly. Knowledgeable and open to matching my learning style and being flexible. This should be fun!


My son loves his guitar lessons and looks forward to his lessons. He practices daily and can't wait for the day when he can play second nature. Richard takes his time to make sure my son understands the instrument as well as how to play it.

He is very patient with my 6 year old grandson who is temperamental. Richard speaks to my grandson age appropriately and my grandson looks forward to his drum lessons.

Rich knows his stuff and is very personable. My 7 yr old son connected with him in an instant upon his first lesson.

Good first lesson

I've learned more in a few months with Richard than I have with years of trying to learn before I signed up with him. Great instructor! Fun lessons, making great progress.

Richard is a friendly and thoughtful instructor. I enjoy my ukulele lessons with him.

I had a great first lesson with Richard! I had been tinkering around for a while before starting lessons, and right off the bat he was able to answer all my questions and give me some tips to better set up my banjo and get a great sound out of it. He has some fun exercises to practice finger coordination, and was a great balance of bringing a structure to the lesson but also meeting me where I am and keeping it interesting.

I started with Richard in July, and by October I'm not only playing and singing songs on the banjo, I'm also learning musical theory that I never really fathomed learning. It's opened up a side of my brain that's been rather dormant for the last forty seven years.

My first lesson was very good. I am excited to keep learning more. Richard makes it an easy process.

Friendly, knows his stuff, and adjust to my needs.

Rich is top notch! My daughter has taken banjo and guitar (acoustic and electric) with him for about 6 years. She has also had several excellent teachers over the years, in piano, violin, and voice and great theory instruction in general. But when it came time for college auditions, she attributed a large part of her success in the theory portion to Rich's preparation. What's most special about Rich is that, even while he's teaching the theory, he ALWAYS keeps it fun. He's has a great formula - scales/theory, a little music history, songs/technique, fun. We'd give him 10 stars if we could.

Great ....
Really making progress and enjoying Richard’s method of teaching.

It is great learning from Richard!

very patient, informative. Makes fun

This was my first lesson on the banjo and enjoyed learning from Richard.

Fun first lesson. Nice style of teaching and made me feel very comfortable.

Great first lesson! I know nothing about music and was a bit scared, but Richard made it easy to understand. I am excited to continue playing. Thank you!

As always, I come away from each lesson with a boatload to practice because Richard genuinely wants to help me become the best player I can be.

Richard patient and good.

Works very well with beginners like myself. Kind, patient, and helpful. Looking forward to further lessons.

Second lesson on the banjo and Richard has taught me so much in just one week! If you want to learn from the ground up, he is the man! Laying the foundation is going to take time and practice, but he gives you so much to work with.

So fantastic! Every lesson I learn something new and COOL!!

I thought I could figure out Banjo like I did the guitar- wing it. That didn't go so well, but after my first lesson with Richard, I now feel confident that I can actually play this banjo and KNOW what I'm doing. Great teacher!!

I have taken banjo lessons off and on for years and Richard is the first instructor who quickly figured out where to start with me and wasted no time getting started. He is skilled, pleasant, calm, patient and helpful. Looking forward to next week's lesson!

Working with Richard has been a blast! He is patient while working with a true beginner and always encouraging. Looking forward to work with him as our lessons continue.

First lesson, very positive, informative. Patient. Cant wait for next!

Richard was very kind and patient during our first lesson. He is a great teacher. Looking forward to our next lesson for sure!

First lesson down...many to go. Richard was great helping me tune and get my first finger placements down to practice with until our next session. Excited for the next one!

Great lesson, thank you Richard!

Great with the instructor. Rough start as I didn't see an intro email from you guys on how to set up, whether he would call me or I him, and such. Maybe I missed it.

Richard is an excellent teacher! He is talented and a great person! I felt he genuinely cared about my goals and helped me achieve them efficiently and had a lot of fun at the same time. I highly recommend Richard!

Richard was great! Looking forward to more lessons for my daughter!

We are 2 beginners taking the class together. We have taken 3 lessons. Rich is teaching us finger strengthening exercises, chords and notes which we can use to play songs, and encouraging us to find melodies using just the strings. The lesson flies by and already we can see our improvement. Last summer I tried to teach myself using YouTube and I have learned so much more in 3 weeks than I learned all summer. He is upbeat and positive. I would recommend him as a ukulele teacher.

The teacher is very professional. It is a great first less for my son.

Great first lesson!! Lots to learn.. Rich is very patient and knowledgeable. Looking forward to our next lesson.

Just two lessons down, with 8 to go. Richard makes learning fun. His approach to teaching makes learning notes and chords easy. I can't wait until the next class.

Excellent first lesson!

very patient and knows his stuff.

Richard was terrific. Patient, knowledgeable and enthusiastic! I look forward to continuing to work with him!

This was the best music lesson I’ve had thanks to Richard. He made it fun and easy. I get nervous of being a slow learner but he wasn’t phased and made it fit my learning ability

Richard has the knowledge and communication skills needed to be a very good teacher, and he is.

My son always look forward to next lesson. Richard is amazing.

Informative, friendly, patient and knowledgeable.

It is fun to learn basics with Richard. Looking forward to the next lesson.

Very talented guy and so experienced!!!

Fun very patient instructor

Richard gives excellent instruction and has a kind and easy going demeanor. He is proficient in the banjo and his teaching style is great. He doesn't waste time during the lesson and gives you a full an honest time of instruction. His studio is clean and inspires learning.

Richard is a great teacher, very friendly and nice and knowledgeable. Highly recommend! Thanks TakeLessons.

Very informative, but teaches at a great pace to make sure you understand the material

This was my first lesson. Richard was very patient with me.
I'm looking forward to my next lesson.

Very knowledgeable and friendly. I was surprised at how far I got for the first lesson. Inspired me to practice and give it a go.

It was very nice and I had a lot of fun and I learned a lot!! Lexi

Richard is a great teacher

Patient and yet challenging. Always goes the 2nd mile to be helpful and keep things interesting while concentrating on the building blocks of later competence.

5 star EASY!!! Richard was a great teacher. I was a beginner Adult who didn't even know how to tune the thing before having lessons with Richard. Super patient to begin with and he really knows his stuff. Now I'm able to play a couple songs and take what he gave me and build from there. I would highly recommend him for anyone.

Richard is a wonderful teacher. Very patient and knowledgeable
Professional and patient with kids!
Mr. Richard, as we call him, has been fantastic with my 7 year old son. His early recommendations maximized my son's guitar interaction and the visible (audible?) progress being made actively encourages practice at home.
Mr. Richard is able to give simplified homework that my son can understand. As opposed to "practice for 20 minutes per day", Mr. Richard was able to identify what works with my son's personality and established practice criteria that was much more effective.
Great lessons
I learned a lot in just a few lessons. I enjoy taking lessons from Richard. He is professional, knowledgable & on time.
Developing passion for music
Richard is doing a wonderful job at developing a passion for musical instruments with my 6 year old son!
Excellent First Day
Thank you Richard for a first day's great experience. Hope it will continue with your new Banjo
Photos & Videos
17 Photos & VideosExperience
Musician/Teacher
Jan 1985 - PresentRich Cozzi Music
I have taught and performed on a variety of different instruments (guitar, banjo, ukulele, drums) and styles for over thirty years. Performances include the Cape Cod and Bakersfield Jazz Festivals, the Sweet & Hot Festival in Los Angeles and numerous club and private functions throughout California, New York, Florida and New England.
Music Teacher
Jan 1970 - PresentConcordia University - Tarbut V' Torah - Private Studio - Online
Over 30 years teaching and performing experience. Performed at Music festivals, studio recordings as well as clubs and private functions.
Education
Bachelor of Arts
Sep 1972 - Dec 1980University of Maryland & Berklee College of Music - Boston
Bachelor's Degree
Jan 1972 - Dec 1979University of Maryland and Berklee College of Music Boston
Languages
English
Fluent / Native Proficiency
Certifications
Bachelor of Liberal Arts - Berklee College of Music
Jun 1976University of Maryland
Affiliations
Music Teachers National Association
Jan 2004Let Our Student Counselors Help You
We can match you with the perfect teacher and take care of all your scheduling needs.
- {{ subject.value }}