Lessons // Piano Lessons Near Me // Piano Lessons Long Beach

Burt Griswold Pianist

5.0 (10)

15 hires on Lessons.com

1 employee

26 years in business

About this pro

I tailor lessons to meet the needs of the student. Beginners learn their way around the piano and to read music. Students receive helpful music on how music works and how to make playing the piano feel and sound musical, plus pick up on music theory, learn improvisation and even try their hand at composition along the way.

Playing a musical instrument improves congnitive ability (attention) and the brain's performance. Music makes us whole. Being a complete musician means taking full advantage of music's ability to benefit us neurologically as well as physically and emotionally.

If you already play the piano and want to improve your playing, if you have a particular goal, like playing a certain kind of music or, if you simply want take your playing to another level, I will help you!

Tip: Learning how to play different styles of music; pop, rock, jazz, or classical, can increase your enthusiasm for making music.

I also help aspiring composers/song writers develop their ideas into finished pieces.

The satisfaction of hearing a student play a piece of music they have mastered never grows old! Over time I have learned to have fun at every step of the way to becoming an accomplished pianist.

Credentials

Long Beach, CA 90803

Email verified

Phone verified

10 Reviews

5.0

David Schafer

2020-03-24
Mareta Z.

Very good and flexible. My daughter is very happy with his performance.

2019-10-01
Mareta Z.

2019-09-25
Bert Jiang

My kids like him very much and he is very patient never teaching too fast for my kids. They have learned to play many many beautiful songs. He also has an affordable tuition. My kids will keep with him for very very long time.

2019-07-12
Jennifer Bamsey

Burt is awesome! He was prompt and professional. I would highly recommend Burt.

2018-07-03
Joanna Noble

Burt is a perfect piano teacher for my 6 years old boy! First lesson my boy starts to learn how to read music. I love the way how Burt gives firm encouragement which helps my boy's mind set about learning a new instrument.

2017-12-05
Ta Tu

Music Teacher like Burt Griswold is rare to find in our society nowadays. You can easily find a music teacher, a tutor, a performer but extremely hard to get a music accompanist who has a good heart, spirit, essence and critical knowledge to profoundly listen to you then be with you for either your studying musical pieces or your own musical composition. Burt is truly one-of-a-kind musician and accompanist. He’s an outstanding individual that I do realize that it's a privilege to know, to work with and learn from ! Ta Tu

2017-11-06
Pam Clements

Mr. Burt finds just the right combination of enthusiasm, patience and discipline in his teaching. He is good with children and keeps a nice combination of songs in his portfolio to keep you challenged as well as entertained. Our overall experience has added to the happiness of our home.

2017-11-06
Carole Reagan

Burt is a fantastic teacher -- enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and patient.

2017-10-30
Saiid Dadashi

Mr Burt is teaching my son for years He is a great teacher with a lot of experience and paitionts

2017-10-27

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FAQs

What is your typical process for working with a new student?

Typically lessons are tailored for the individual student's needs. The student's needs can be determined in the first lesson.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

I have both a performance background and an in-depth knowledge of music (theory, composition, arranging). I have taught extensively privately and with music schools including Westminster Music Academy in Huntington Beach, Laguna School of Music in Laguna Beach, Taylor Robinson Music, and Lessons.com.

Education: Caifornia State College San Bernardino, composition, performance, Western and Eastern music theory, ethnic music, choral music and electronic music with Richard Saylor; Golden West College, jazz and improvisation with jazz pianist Jerry Schroeder, midi arranging/composing with renound Big Band arranger Tom Kubis; Long Beach City College, film scoring; Cypress College, SATB choral singing with Sheridan Ball.

I've performed as piano soloist and accompanist for rock groups, jazz ensembles and choirs. I've also sung with choral groups and toured the US, Europe and the Middle East, and recorded commercially with the choral group Meritage ("50 most loved Christmas Carols"). I was accompanist/ choral director/ arranger for the Teaching of the Inner Christ church in Long Beach, Ca for ten years.

Also, I have a steady output of musical compositions, from instrumentalal music, pop music and songs to compositions for SATB choir. My music is a combination of live and digital instruments that can be heard on the CD's "Meditation" volumes 1 and 2, and "Atalanta Fugiens: Fifty Alchemical Fugues".

I also do studio session work and use the keyboard regularly in the studio for composition and as a primary input device for midi sequencing, from initial idea to final arrangement.

Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.

My basic rate is $30/half hour and I can give a discount to students who pre pay a month or more.

How did you get started teaching?

I started teaching piano part time many years ago and only after I met a great teacher named Robert Rios ran a music school did I embrace teaching. At the time I was performing music but not teaching and it worked out well. Since then I have worked with different schools and agencies. Currently I am self employed and travel to students.

What types of students have you worked with?

I have taught group piano classes and individuals students one on one privately and with schools. I teach all ages.

Describe a recent event you are fond of.

Any time a student clicks with the piece of music they have been making efforts to learn, receiving the enjoyment of playing and getting the positive feedback that comes with it. My enthusiasm for teaching piano continues to increase!

What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?

Find a teacher you resonates with. Satisy yourself that they can teach you. Find someone who challenges you, like a musical fitness trainer.

What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?

What music do you like.

What do you see yourself doing with music in a year? In five years?

Are you willing to devote time to playing your instrument every day?