Richmond, VA Music Theory Lessons

re committed to a regular practice schedule, are attentive during lessons, ask questions, and are honest with themselves about what is and is not working.

I began my teaching career in college while earning a Bachelor's in Music from Southwestern University (magna cum laude). I currently play as a soloist and with groups including AURORA: Trio for Flute, Harp, and Cello, the Shimmer Flute Choir, and Sounds of Silver Flute Quartet. I am also an active member of the Music Teacher's National Association and volunteer coordinator of the Houston Flute Club.

Although classically trained I also enjoy classic rock and appreciate music from other cultures as well.

I frequently write arrangements for flute choir and other ensembles, and so I can help students who want to learn more about arranging and composition.

In addition to the flute I also have experience with the piccolo, alto, and bass flute. I love performing and I share my passion for music with my students.

*** Lesson Details ***

***I only teach lessons in my studio or online for certain subjects. I do not travel to students' homes.***

Flute Lessons:

I offer lessons that cover just about every aspect of playing the Western concert flute. Students can expect to become well-rounded musicians who are knowledgeable about flute technique, tone, music theory and history. I use a combination of the Rubank Method and Flute 101 books with handout supplements.

The biggest changes I've seen in my students after a few months is a better understanding of how to practice efficiently as well as improved tone. Furthermore, every year many of my students earn superior ratings of 1 on their UIL solos.

Every Spring my students and I participate in Flute Fest, a day-long celebration of all things flute, including concerts, masterclasses, and a solo and ensemble contest. A few weeks later we have our annual studio recital where everyone shows off their hard work.

A NOTE ABOUT WOODEN FLUTES

Occasionally I am asked to help students play wooden, non-western flutes. Although the very basic fundamentals are the same, I do not play these flutes and do not teach them.

Piano Lessons:

Piano is not only fun to play for its own sake, but provides a foundation for all music making. Students will learn about proper posture and hand-positioning, note-reading, rhythm, and a little history as well, using the Piano Pronto book series.

Music Theory Lessons:

I can help students of any instrument better understand the fundamental concepts of music theory: scales, intervals, chords, part-writing, etc. Theory lessons take place at the piano to demonstrate concepts. However, students do not have to play piano to take theory lessons. I typically use a combination of the Master Theory curriculum and other handouts, unless the student is already working out of another textbook.

**Online theory lessons** use the same curriculum, but with the screen share feature to help my demonstrations.

Summer Curriculum:

During the summer I offer additional group classes on different subjects, including theory and ear-training. I try something new every year to provide a variety of opportunities for students to learn and grow in their musicianship.

***Tuition Packages***
I have added my own features to the two tuition options TL already offers. I consider the Recurring Schedule a Subscription Package, where clients pay the same amount every month, equal to the value of four lessons, regardless of the number of lessons attended. This guarantees a permanent reservation of your time slot. I call the Schedule-As-You-Go the A La Carte Package, for those who cannot commit to a regular time. There is no reservation of a time slot and you pay for a few lessons at a time. I am happy to answer questions about tuition through the Ask A Question feature!

*** Studio Equipment ***
My studio is located in the front room of my home and includes a music stand, piano, and comfortable chairs in case parents would like to stay for the lesson.

*** Specialties ***
I primarily concentrate on classical music, but I also have experience with extended techniques, which include singing and playing at the same time, key clicks, and multiphonics.

ian and I'm proud to call him and his manager my friends. His new album coming out is nothing short of amazing.

In fact everyone I've mentioned above are pro all the way and great guys as well. I"m honored to have played with them.

I challenge my students to view music more than just as a "skill", but also a tool to communicate effectively and to combat life's obstacles.

I have had many guitar teachers myself including one true Famous Rock Star legend here in Pacific NW. Congrats Rog. U Earned It, & inspire myself, & others everyday.

You got to know the rules 1st, before you can then break the rules. This is how you develop your own unique style. And it's what separates the Pro Players from the rest of the pack.

But even if you don't want to play professionally, maybe you just want to learn a few chords, licks, songs, for yourself, or to impress friends. That's okay too!

I welcome every level and style. I always learn something from my students.
That's what music is all about. Learning & trading tips and licks from other musicians.

Bottom Line Is... I can help you learn and progress on your instrument faster...

Let me be the Music Coach to get you there!

*** Lesson Details ***
The most important thing in a lesson with me is to learn while having FUN! I am a very laid-back teacher who wants to focus on music making you smile. We will choose material and a pace of learning that will keep you excited to rehearse and return the following lesson improved!

PERSONALIZE your guitar lessons by learning techniques used by your favorite artists in "their" songs.
FEEL FREE learning in a comfortable atmosphere where you can excel successfully as a musician!
CONQUER shyness and insecurities by unleashing the dynamic performer in you!

Most All Styles/Genres/Experience Levels Taught - We go over everything systematically. Music Theory, Songwriting, Chords, Scales, Determining Key Of Songs, Performance, etc

After 3 to 6 months, you should expect to be playing some of your favorite songs and artists accurately

Be sure to check out some of my you tube demos. Let me be the Music Coach to get you there!

*** Studio Equipment ***
I have a Sound Proof Pro Recording Studio, PA System, guitars, basses, amps, drums, recording gear, mics, mic stands, strobe & lights, fog machine, seating for parents.

Sorry No Disco Ball Yet.. You Can Bring Your Own If You Want Though.
I've Got Some Bell Bottoms Somewhere Around The Studio Here.

*** Travel Equipment ***
*** Brand New*** Now Offering Music Lessons Online (From My Recording Studio To Your Home via Skype)
I'm really excited to add that to offer lessons online through TakeLessons! It's a great thing to get to work with students all over this country and I'm looking forward to help pioneer the future of music lessons!

*** Specialties ***
*Teachers classified as a Student Favorite have taught a minimum of 25 lessons and have received the highest feedback rating from students.

My Unique Specialty - is teaching students the rudimental basics 1st, & then how to copy your favorite artists off the CD, radio or iPod, almost note for note. Believe me, it can be done. You just have to know what to listen for..

Brand New - MEASURE your success by recording your music progress along the way. I do own a recording studio, so we can record students progress via audio or video and then post to my YouTube channel.

usic to help you find your own voice.
When you find your voice, the rest of you is not far behind.

We help people to overcome any fears they may have about playing. We simply help you to find your confidence. Many people are afraid to express themselves because of negative comments from a family member or friend. We help you move far past that and get to your own voice, free of worries.

It has been said that playing only from sheet music is like only being able to talk when you are reading it from a book.

We help people to play and sing by ear.

Yes, learning to read music brings you wonderful music from some great composers. But there is so much more.

First, we find out how you learn and what you are interested in. Life is just different when you get in touch with the music inside you. Sure, it is some work, but it is very satisfying!
I love to help people do this!

All that said, reading musical notes is like your alphabet.
When was the last time you had to ponder the alphabet when you wanted to speak? Once you know the alphabet, you just forget it and move on, to words, stories and communication.
Music is a language as well.

Everybody loves music. How will you find yours? It’s different for everyone.
Maybe you want to sing like that great pop singer you love, or play keyboard. Some people write songs. In all cases, the keyboard helps you to understand all about music.

Bach used to improvise all the time. Why shouldn't you?

SONGWRITERS:
If you write songs, just bring in an idea and we will record it. We set a tempo and a key, and get your basic groove looped, all in about two minutes. Then we lay down the chords and a bass part and you sing a reference vocal. You can easily lay out a song in a one-hour session. Then it is easy to see how to produce it. It is amazing to go home with a recording of your song that did not exist in the world until you gave it a voice!

Along the way, you become a better writer, singer and/or keyboard player. You will learn to play by ear. And have a LOT of fun. You can do this online too.

ONLINE SESSIONS
You create a rough sketch and we track it, with your input.
We can help you to set up your own songwriter studio as well. If you get Logic software at your end, you can put on phones and cut a vocal with me producing you.
Seriously, great fun.
;0)

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
“...an amazing instructor...inspiring mentor...compassionate.”
“...a lot of patience.”
“My son's love for music has come from Randy.”
“...positive attitude and friendly personality.”
“...wildly entertaining.”
“ ...will teach you in a way that will make you want to learn.”
“We look forward to our lesson every week!”

"Randy, I like your "Semper Method of Music” teaching method.
It's applying knowledge with fun, and common sense... the best combination. Good luck. You’re a great musician."
Joe Messina,
Motown recording guitarist & Funk Brother

SONGLab
Your music. Instantly.
We use recording as a powerful tool to help you listen and improve.
Tired of crappy tabs? Struggling to capture your song? No worries.
Learn a process, instead of a lesson. Apply it anywhere.

Go from musical idea to music, fast.
Get to the groove in 2 minutes or less. In any software.

SONGLab Studio. The antidote to rote.

SCHEDULING:
Please note: If the particular time you had in mind is listed as unavailable, don’t worry. Between working online and two locations, I am very flexible and will work hard to make our schedules click.

SPECIAL NEEDS?
Everyone's needs are special. If your child has been diagnosed ADHD or ASD, music can be a joyful and rewarding way to see real growth and make a wonderful experience for parent and child. We help with the Proprioceptive and Vestibular senses in a fun and therapeutic way.

Just Google "BrainVolts" for a tremendous study from Northwestern University on the amazing effects of music study!

Playing by Ear
Pretty much everyone can play by ear. So we help you to find your own voice, reach your musical goals and to create and perform music as a real and beautiful part of your life.

Making music should not be a boring job. Rather, it should be something you can't wait to do. A way to get in touch with the rest of the universe. You will also learn to read and write, but it won't get in the way of your music.

Since a very young age I have loved to improvise and to create music. It is very satisfying to pass this on to others who are full of music inside but may not know how to get it out. If you wish that you or your child could get some help creating your own music as well as playing the great music already written, perhaps we should be talking.

I am from Canada, and I have been a professional musician since 1970. I studied music performance in school, piano with the Royal Conservatory of Toronto and Music Education at Queens University. I have toured with national acts, produced dozens of recordings of all kinds and played, arranged and conducted music on cruise ships all over the world.

Music is my life. Bringing other people's skills to a higher level is what I do best.

Tell me what you want to accomplish, either for yourself or your child. I look forward to speaking with you.
Warm regards,
Randy

PS:
A note about allergens:
I teach online and at my home and my studio. At home we have two very friendly dogs and a cat (Julian) who sleeps all day. If you have allergies, we will study at the Troy studio which is allergen-free. Unless you love animals. In that case, you will get to meet Vinnie & Buddy, the two most kid-friendly, loves-everybody, most gentle little guys you will ever meet. I put Vinnie's picture up so you can see him.

Teaching teachers
Several excellent teachers I know who have been teaching music for many years were frustrated by not being able to play without a sheet of music. They have found satisfying and positive results from this approach.

Wouldn't it be great to be gifted? In fact... It turns out that choices lead to habits.
Habits become talents. Talents are labeled gifts.
You're not born this way, you get this way.
~ Seth Godin

*** Lesson Details ***

Music should be fun. Period.

My only real job is to make sure you have fun and want to learn more. Then you will do the rest. you will astonish yourself and everyone around you!

In a traditional music education, reading the works of others is the focus, with no encouragement to improvise or to play by ear.

In our community, there is a prestigious, private college prep school that charges just under $80 per hour for traditional private music lessons. If you take away the music, most cannot play a note.

My method is every bit the equal of that school for those who are drawn to express themselves playing by ear. You will still learn all the core skills needed to be a well-rounded musician.

Music study helps people young and old to overcome shyness and build confidence. It empowers them as they refine their special talents.

We will always have a lot of fun, but there is a lot to do, so we need to be efficient. My teaching method is a combination of the best methods I have found. It is backed up with the same solid principles that I received when I was a student myself. If you choose to continue and pursue a classical education at a high level, you will be well-prepared.

Please note:
You are most welcome to start with 30 minute sessions to see if we are a good fit. 30 min lessons are offered for this purpose and also for very young children with short attention spans. For any student, wishing to make progress, lessons will eventually need to be an hour or 45 minutes at minimum in order to reach your goals.

Attendance
While fun is our main goal, we need results and I am an old-school stickler for results.

Weekly sessions are the only way to get measurable results, and the only way I teach. Two absences a month is noted by colleges as a clear path to dropping out. That is what bi-weekly sessions will do.

Though you'll receive serious critiques from me, I always uplift and encourage. Positive energy is the ticket.

My Method:
Listen, Sing, Clap, Play, Read and Write. With these tools you can look deeper into the elements that make up music. Folk, jazz, pop, rock or classical; all Western music is derived from the same principles. We will study ear training from a wonderful ear training book by a famous guitarist. It'™s simple: you learn all the theory so you will be at the top of your game, but always have fun doing it.
For notation, we will use The Semper Note Speller.
For scales, we have the famous Brown Scale Book.

Technology
We use recording as a tool to help you hear how you sound and we always encourage you to express yourself with improvisation. In many cases, you will have tracks to practice with. We also use apps for your phone that really help. A guitar tuner to nail down vocal pitch, as well as a metronome app that is with you wherever you go. If you have a minute anywhere you can get in some good practice time. So we truly have the best of all worlds: playing from music and learning to play by ear! If you stick with it and do the work, the end result will be that you can always just sit down and play, whether or not you have any music in front of you!

On our first lesson we will do a duet jam session together and you will not believe how great you sound!

The Big Picture
In the old days, a tiny percentage of students would become a concert pianist.

Today, there are a multitude of other ways to become involved with music. Whether you are looking at music as a profession or as a hobby, we let parents know of the many choices available so that they can make good decisions, for themselves and for their children.

Having fun as you improve is a big priority. I also teach songwriting, singing, music recording and performance, as well as piano.

Remember:
A piano should be an irresistible invitation, not an obstacle.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Troy studio: A digital keyboard in a professional recording control-room environment at our media production studio. The studio is near Big Beaver and Stephenson Hwy.

Home studio: An acoustic piano and recording studio environment at my home in Franklin/Beverly Hills.

Your Instrument
If you are taking any kind of music lesson, we recommend a tuned piano or digital keyboard, preferably with at least 76 full-sized keys.

We have helped many people to find the right piano.
If you like, I can suggest several different models of keyboard that I have researched and of which I approve. They range from an inexpensive but effective starter keyboard for ear training and just plain fun to an 88 note weighted keyboard for more expressive practice.

*** Specialties ***
Adults who always wanted to.
Homeschoolers who are frustrated.
Kids who just love music.

My youngest student is 4 and my oldest student is 102 now. )At 100 he recorded an album of songs from the 1920s!)

I teach people of all ages first to play by ear and to have fun while they study. Then I back up ear training with solid theory so they can read and write music. In school I studied many traditional methods and I have distilled my own distinct method from them. Though I am classically trained, I specialize in improvisation.
Here's to a most satisfying musical experience!
Best regards,
Randy

tronic keyboard, in the lessons.
Bass Guitar: I teach rock, pop, funk, and country music on bass.
Banjo: I teach bluegrass, country, and some blues and rock music. I can also teach a bit of old-timey frailing/clawhammer style.
English and Reading: I am highly qualified, to tutor/teach English (spoken, written, and reading comprehension) to both native English speakers and to those learning it as a second language.
*** I am particularly good at working with children who have a.d.h.d. and other learning disabilities!

anslated from Papiamentu into English.
Although my music background is classical, I play and teach popular music, which I appreciate.
Just to mention a few famous guitarists who's styles appeal to me: Carlos Santana, George Benson, Paco de Lucia, Julian Bream.
I also teach electrical and acoustic guitar, bass-guitar, piano/keyboard, ukulele, Venezuelan & PR cuatro, songwriting and music theory.
Music is an International language; a way to express inner feelings!
And Teaching it, is my passion!

*** Lesson Details ***
Studying with me will be more than moments of instruction and learning.
In addition to acquiring musical knowledge and technical skills, each class is really a musical experience.
The dynamic during class is focused on making music and in having fun, developing new technical skills and reaching your goals!
The Students will be constantly experimenting with various aspects of music: the Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm. I will be at all moments musically accompanying the student, developing his or her musical hearing pitch, musical aesthetic values, creativity, and artistic expression.
I offer quality Music Lessons!

*** Studio Equipment ***
A Studio equipped with comfortable chairs, desk, keyboards, guitars, white board, music stands, amplifier,
Parents can sit in on lessons

*** Specialties ***
Classial, Popular and Latin Music

**Cancellations**
All lessons must be cancelled with at least 24 hours notice, without exception

fessional in his field, Joseph enthusiastically looks forward to helping new students achieve their goals. Joseph's teaching style is flexible, experiential, and FUN!

d also perform every Saturday at a Branson style show in Liberty, Texas.
My approach to teaching music is to customize lessons to the student’s interests while still maintaining the essentials and foundations including music theory, scales, and reading music. I like to incorporate particular songs and genres of music that the student likes by providing customized tracks with their particular instrument taken out so that feel a sense of accomplishment and get the practice of playing along with other musicians which benefits in the ear training process. I look forward to meeting and "jamming" with you soon!

and translating this to Ableton and electronic music! Let me know how I can help you!

grading. Aside from the basic music theory 1 curriculum itself, he gave the class additional input that gave some of the concepts more context. I learned alot. Most of all, I appreciated his willingness to help me on an individual basis. I don't think I grasped some of the concepts as fast as other students, but Mr. S was always there to lend a helping hand. At times, I'd run into him just as he was leaving the building, but he'd still help me with a homework problem or two. He didn't have to do this, but I'm thankful that he did. I'd recommend Mr. S to anyone wanting to take Music Theory.

Mr. S is an absolutely fantastic teacher. I doubt I would have learned as much as I did throughout the Aural skills sequence at UGA if he wasn't my instructor. He just has a way with teaching and getting concepts across that is very effective. He goes above and beyond to make sure no one in the class ever falls behind, and is very understanding and willing to give extra help. He's so great!.

I love Mr. S, he was very helpful and took time out of his schedule to help me when ever possible! The only thing I would say is try to include more dictations in class, don't focus as much on theory behind it, deffinetly still go over it but just not as much. For example it really did help though when, you would go over the functions of each chord and note. Thank you for a great year!

I thought that Mr. was a very good instructor. He was always willing to meet outside of class to help you with questions. He also tried to explain things many ways when you don't understand. He is very smart and good at what he does. I hope to h