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Music Theory with Winslow Y.

4.9
(33)
Background check
Teaches online
Teaches all skill levels
Age: 5+
Speaks English, French
Teaching since 1972
Music composition, voice

    Take up music theory with the right teacher who can help you explore your wellness through music

    Music theory is just the names and numbers we use to identify and organize musical sounds so that they sound good and happen at the right time, with great beats. It's way better than grunting and pointing when musicians communicate. I can teach theory the classical way, the Nashville way, or the juke joint way - whatever you need to understand musical materials so that you can use them to best advantage and communicate with your fellow musicians

    Instructor details

    Location:
    Teaches Online
    Teaches Online

    Teaching Hours

    Monday
    10 AM-2 PM
    3 PM-4 PM
    5 PM-7 PM
    Tuesday
    9 AM-11 AM
    12 PM-3 PM
    5 PM-7 PM
    Wednesday
    9 AM-2 PM
    2:30 PM-7 PM
    Thursday
    10 AM-10:30 AM
    11 AM-12 PM
    1 PM-3 PM
    6 PM-7 PM
    Friday
    9 AM-12 PM
    12:30 PM-1 PM
    1:30 PM-3 PM
    4 PM-8 PM
    Sunday
    1:30 PM-7 PM
    Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
    Pricing
    30 minutes
    $30
    45 minutes
    $40
    60 minutes
    $50

    About Winslow Y.

    4.9
    (33)
    I'm a harmonica specialist, known internationally as a player and teacher. I'm the author of the books Harmonica For Dummies and Blues Harmonica For Dummies. I can teach all styles, all levels of expertise and all types of harmonica. My focus is on you - helping you achieve your goals with the harmonica, whatever they may be. Whatever inspires you to pick up the harmonica, whoever you want to emulate, whatever style grabs you, I bring the background, deep knowledge, and teaching experience to enrich your understanding and grow your skills and ability to express yourself musically.
    ReviewsWrite a review
    5
    94%
    4
    3%
    3
    3%
    2
    0%
    1
    0%
    4.9
    33 Reviews
    Daniel
    Online
    Winslow is an excellent instructor. He is very patient and attentive. He definitely gives me quality value for the money. I would not hesitate in recommending him as an instructor.
    Posted Feb 17, 2024
    JOHN
    Online
    Winslow is an excellent teacher! Patient, knowledgeable, easy-going…it’s a pleasure being in his “classroom”. Whether you’re looking to start playing the harp or are an experienced player, you’ve found the right mentor!
    Posted Feb 2, 2024
    Walt
    Teacher's studio
    Great lesson in 45 minutes--we got right to the heart of my problem areas
    Posted Nov 30, 2023
    112233...1111Next >Next >

    Experience

    Author, Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition

    Jan, 2014 - Present

    John Wiley and Sons

    Harmonica For Dummies is now in its second edition, a 400-page book with online audio, video, and animation clips to supplement the written content. The first edition has been translated into French, German, Russian, and Portuguese.

    President

    Aug, 2012 - Aug, 2015

    SPAH, Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica

    Since 1964 SPAH has produced a quarterly magazine and an annual convention for up to 500 attendees, with seminars, one-on-one teaching, jamming, open mic, and concerts, along with exhibits by vendors and manufacturers.

    Producer

    Aug, 2012 - Present

    Harmonica Collective

    The Harmonica Collective is an annual gathering of some of the best harmonica players, crafters, and performers to share their knowledge with intermediate and advanced players for three days. Enrollment is limited to 50 in order to give individual attention to each attendee.

    Author, Blues Harmonica For Dummies

    Jan, 2012 - Present

    John Wiley and Sons

    Advice Columnist

    Jan, 2010 - Present

    bluesharmonica.com

    Roving advice columnist for the discussion columns at bluesharmonica.com, an instructional site and course for blues harmonica instruction

    Performer

    Jan, 2009 - Aug, 2009

    San Francisco Harmonica Ensemble

    Worked with co-members Steve Malerbi, Damien Masterson, and Michael Peloquin as a four-part harmonica ensemble, including a recorded performance at the 2009 West Coast Jazz Harmonica Summit, which can be viewed on Youtube.

    Faculty instructor

    Apr, 2008 - May, 2018

    Jazzschool Community Music School at the California Jazz Conservatory

    I taught the ten-week Beginning Diatonic Harmonica Courses when they were offered. I still teach private lessons on Saturdays at the Jazzschool location in Berkeley, California.

    Performer

    Jan, 2008 - Apr, 2018

    Winslow Yerxa/Tuula Cotter

    Wrote, arranged, performed, and recorded with violinist Tuula Tossavainen Cotter with various accompanists.

    Conductor

    Jan, 2008 - Nov, 2012

    Fiddle Rising

    Conducted and performed with this traditional music group, an offshoot of the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers, which I co-led with violinist Tuula Tossavainen Cotter.

    Performer

    Jun, 2001 - Apr, 2017

    San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers

    Was featured soloist, ensemble member and occasional gig leader with this large traditional music ensemble that included a range from beginning amateurs to world-renowned professionals.

    Performer

    Apr, 1996 - Aug, 2000

    Winslow's Bunch O'Guys

    Founded, arranged for, led, and performed with a five-piece harmonica ensemble with rhythm section accompaniment. Members included, at various times, Joe Filisko, Dennis Gruenling, Richard Sleigh, Larry "Iceman" Eisenberg, Chris Michalek, Michael Peloquin, Damien Masterson, Beth Kohnen, and Allen Holmes. Performances included at the annual Buckeye and SPAH harmonica gatherings and the World Harmonica Festival in Trossingen, Germany.

    Editor and Publisher

    Jan, 1992 - Nov, 1997

    HIP - the Harmonica Information Publication

    Published and distributed internationally a 40-plus page harmonica magazine with news, instruction, historical articles, reviews, and general harmonica information.

    Performer

    Feb, 1979 - Sep, 1986

    Cool Breeze

    Played keyboards, percussion, occasional harmonica, and sang harmony vocals and collaborated with bandleader/composer Pietro Giacomo Poggi and musical director David Somers on arrangements for horns, vocals, and rhythm section for 15-piece band playing original music based in Caribbean and African styles.

    Performer

    Jan, 1971 - Present

    Various

    Sat in with, opened for, or backed major acts on harmonica, including blues icons Muddy Waters, Charlie Musselwhite, John Mayall, Mark Hummel, Jason Ricci, Magic Dick, Lee Oskar, Rick Estrin, and Jerry Portnoy, traditional violinist Alasdair Fraser and the San Francisco Scottish Fiddlers, and jazz singer Paula West.

    Performer

    Jan, 1970 - Dec, 1974

    King Luxsac

    Was lead singer, songwriter, and harmonica player for this pioneering Vancouver, BC, blues and R&B band that included such notables as Gordon Bertram, John Doheny, Olaf de Shield, and Rick Baker. This band was integrated into a shifting network of casual ensembles that included future members of Doug and the Slugs Simon Kendall, John "Wally" Watson, and John Burton.

    Education

    Music composition and arranging

    Sep, 1974 - May, 1976

    Vancouver Community College

    Music composition, voice

    Sep, 1976 - May, 1977

    McGill University

    Awards

    Pete Pedersen Lifetime Achievement Award

    Aug, 2016

    SPAH, the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica

    Affiliations

    Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica

    Jan, 1991

    SPAH is the Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica. It is a non-profit, member organization dedicated to serving the harmonica community.

    California Jazz Conservatory

    Apr, 2008

    The California Jazz Conservatory is a nationally accredited music conservatory providing a dynamic community of students, artists, educators, scholars and audiences with a forum to study, perform, teach, research, appreciate and enjoy jazz and related styles of music from throughout the world. Comprising two distinct education programs, the California Jazz Conservatory, a postsecondary degree-granting program, and the Jazzschool Community Music School, a non-degree-granting community education program, the institution honors the contributions of past masters and promotes artistic innovation, bringing together a diverse music community to develop practical skills, acquire artistic sensibility, realize creative potential and find artistic voice.

    Languages

    French

    Limited Proficiency

    English

    Native Proficiency

    Private Lessons

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