Richard Schwagerl / Rhythmic Magic

Explore the three elements of music: melody, harmony and rhythm. Delve into playing by ear, improvisation, arranging, and leading a band, while practicing reading, writing, theory and good technique.

Let’s explore how the mind uses music as the gateway to knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

Richard Schwagerl, Keyboard/Percussionist - has been a professional musician and teacher for over 45 years, with well over 7000 performances. Starting at age 15 as a percussionist in the pit orchestra’s for dinner theaters on Long Island New York. This lead to performing with the Long Island Youth Orchestra in high school, traveling to six continents and thirty-five countries, including performing at the Sydney Opera House. By senior year he was offered a scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music pre-college division. After completing that and starting Boston University, he was pleased to study with Charles Smith, considered one of the worlds greatest Marimba players from the Boston Symphony. Richard also studied — with scholarships — at Stony Brook University and graduated USC with a Bachelor of Music Degree. Some of his other teachers were; Murray Houllif, Dave Samuels, David Friedman, Vic Firth, Emil Richards, Ken Watson, Dale Anderson, Jim Price and Tom Gauger.

Richard had the honor of touring as the vibraphonist and percussionist with Lou Rawls, as well as performing with Taj Mahal, Chuck Mangione, Plácido Domingo, Horace Silver, Peter Schickele, Hal David, Tommy Castro, Emil Richards, Emmitt Chapman, Ron Eschete, Dave Mackay, Bernard Allison, Johnny Johnson, Plas Johnson, Robert Greenidge, David Maxwel, Paul Kreibich, and Bobby Hutcherson.

Composing Credits Include:

Travel Channel (Jules Sylvester’s Wild Adventures)

M.T.V. (The Maxx)

Manhattan Confidential (Movie)

Hughes Aircraft / Citibank

The first lesson is free to see how you like it.

I charge $40 a half hour. You need to book one month at a time. $160 standard month four weeks. $200 for the occasional five weeks. A 24 hour notice is required to cancel a lesson, other wise you will be charged. I accept Venmo, PayPal and soon Zelle. 

I was asked to start teaching at El Camino Commuity College shortly after graduating USC University in 1980. I have taught at: Gene Leis & Dietz Brothers Music (Manhattan Beach CA.) Music Focus (Hermosa Beach CA.) Focus Central (Frazier Park CA.) Gorman Elementry School (Gorman CA.) 2020 FaceTime Lessons. 

I have taught 5 year olds to 85, well over 1000 students.

As a music teacher for over 40 years I have

realized 3 most interesting facts.

1) Every student can learn.

2) 20% of the students will learn regardless of (you) as the teacher.

3) 80% of students have no clue of HOW TO LEARN!

I have also worked with severeal students with Down Syndrom but I do charge more for that sevice.

Last week my student Jedediah (9 years old) performed for me his version of the Entertainer. I felt it was flawless! Even his mom gave him a whole day of endless video games! His first lesson three years ago started out with "Don't Tell Me, let me figure it out myself." It was Mary Had A Little Lamb and he was the only student "EVER" to play the minor third, the first time through by EAR!!!

!) Music is a listening art. If you can't hear it you can't play it.

2) Simplicity is the final achievement. After one has played a vast quantity of notes and more notes, it is simplicity that emerges as the crowning reward of art. - Frederic Chopin 

3) “To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable!” - Beethoven

There is onLy one. Can I hear it or not?  !

My smartest 8 year old student ALWAYS had two great questions. Ask aWay!

If you must, How, Why and When?...!...