PIANO, CLASSICAL GUITAR, MUSIC THEORY, COMPOSITION, SIGHT READING Lessons offered by experienced instructor with a Bachelor's Degree in music from CSUN.
All ages, including adults of all levels are welcome.
The general curriculum for the lessons is as follows, although it may be modified depending upon the particular interests of each student:
+++BEGINNERS+++
- READING MUSIC:
This skill is correctly acquired through the separate study of melodic and rhythmical components of written music. The methods employed have been proven to yield the fastest results in gaining musical literacy.
Note to guitar students: As a Classically trained guitarist, I teach notation on the guitar as opposed to tablature and visual patterns.
- PLAYING THE INSTRUMENT:
Proper technique is emphasized. Students begin learning repertoire immediately. Technical exercises are given to supplement the repertoire studied.
- THEORETICAL TRAINING:
The student learns the basics of musical composition, including but not limited to construction of chords and scales in different modes.
+++INTERMEDIATE LEVELS+++
- SIGHT READING:
At this stage, the student will begin reading and playing music at sight. Weekly sight reading assignments are given.
- PERFORMANCE:
More advanced pieces requiring the venture into different positions and keys are learned. Correct interpretation of pieces, including the execution of ornaments is emphasized.
- DIATONIC HARMONY:
The principles of composition such as keys and key signatures, chord functions within each key, as well as other principles of four part harmony are learned. The student will be asked to compose original pieces at this stage.
+++ADVANCED LEVELS+++
- PERFORMANCE:
Advanced pieces are studied and perfected for public performance. The student will be expected to perform in public at this stage.
- CHROMATIC HARMONY:
Secondary dominants and leading tones, modulation to closely related and distant keys and borrowed chords and mixed modes are discussed. The student composes advanced pieces at this stage.
- ORCHESTRATION:
The range and capabilities of different instruments are discussed, and the student learns to write music for transposing instruments as well as learning to arrange pieces.
- COMPOSITION AND SONGWRITING:
Different styles of composition are analyzed and the student learns composition of different genres of music. Chord substitutions, prevalent in styles such as jazz, pop and rock are discussed; as well as more advanced composition techniques used in Classical music, such as the use of the diminished 7th chords in modulation, etc.