Piano with Benjamin C.

I am 25 years old, a San Diego native displaced on the East Coast for the past 13 years who is enjoying a career as a performer, writer, teacher, and student of music. Music is my world. I have a masters degree in Studio Jazz Writing from the Frost School of Music in the University of Miami and bachelors degree in Jazz Performance from Temple University. My main instrument is bass but I have years of performance and teaching experience on piano and guitar as well. I have been teaching music in classes, camps, and privately for over 6 years. Two of those years were as an employee with TakeLessons. During that time I taught over 100 different students and averaged about 40 private students a week. *** Lesson Details *** I believe that music is a shared art, one that demands an emphasis on community. I also believe that teaching music is just as much a part of growing as a musician as learning, practicing, and playing. Because I hold these beliefs, I strive to share my knowledge of music with seriousness and enthusiasm. My teaching method is not strict, and I encourage students to come up with questions and ideas about what they want to learn in lessons. This way, we can come up with an ideal curriculum together that will maximize their potential for learning as well as keep a pace they are comfortable with. I do require that students study technique and reading music with me (guitar students will deal with tabs as well). These things lay the foundation for a well-rounded musician. Books for technique, improvising, learning songs, etc. may be agreed upon and/or suggested. Throughout lessons, we will also work on developing listening skills and musicianship, which takes further than just learning the notes on the keyboard or fretboard. I hold degrees in Jazz composition and performance so I could say that jazz is my specialty, but I have performed in groups of many different genres, including rock, ska, R&B, funk, and acoustic. If a student is interested in learning a particular style of music, I will be happy to dive into it with him/her. If not, we will take some time to explore different styles and genres to create some interest. No matter what, beginning students will all deal with the same technical exercises and basic theory/ear training that is fundamental to a budding musician. How deep we go into music theory and such is up to the student; those with recreational interest will be taught at their own pace, and those with a drive to pursue music outside of the "woodshed" will be challenged a little more. My ultimate goal when teaching is to cater to the wants and needs of the student. I try my best not only to find what each student would like to learn, but also to identify any issues in his/her playing or understanding of music and address them. Lessons with me will prove to create well rounded musicians who know how to make the most of their potential on their instrument. *** Studio Equipment *** Lessons will be in living room. There is street parking available. No pets. *** Specialties *** On bass I specialize in jazz and funk styles, with plucking technique, slap and improvisation. I have also played and am familiar with rock, reggae, r&b, and Latin styles.