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Joel's East Bay Accordion Lessons

Joel's East Bay Accordion Lessons

5.0Exceptional(10 reviews)

About

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: I am giving occasional online Zoom lessons to current students. My students are all in person, vaxxed and n95 masked.

My teaching hours are TUESDAY & THURSDAY AFTERNOONS ONLY, in my North Oakland home.

I've played and taught accordion for years. I'm a veteran alternative high school teacher and teacher of different learners. No prior musical training necessary.

I have taught all ages. I love working with adults who are trying to remember how to be beginners, as well as with younger students. Lessons are seriously individualized. In my home or yours.

Short term rentals are available. I have accordions to use at lessons if transporting yours is a problem.

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Highlights

Hired 4 times
1 employee
31 years in business
Serves Oakland , CA

Payment methods

Cash, Check, Paypal

Social media

Specialties

Students age

Younger than 6 years old, 6 - 9 years old, 10 - 13 years old, 14 - 17 years old, 18 - 25 years old, 26 - 44 years old, 45 - 64 years old, 65 or older

Able to read music

Student can read music staff, Student cannot read music

Years experience

No experience, No formal training; some self-taught experience, 0 – 2 years experience, 2 – 4 years experience, 4+ years of experience

Has instrument

Student who have an accordion, Student who don't have an accordion, but are planning to purchase one

Lesson length

60 minutes

Photos and videos

    • Reviews

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    EB

    Ed B.

    Joel is insightful and patient, a very good teacher.
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    March 04, 2021
    •Hired on Lessons
    SC

    Sue C.

    Great teacher! Joel is patient and interesting and will take you in any style or direction you want to go. I look forward to his class every week. Ive learned so much in such a short time.
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    August 27, 2016
    MN

    Melinda N.

    Joel is a top-notch instructor. As someone who was new to the music world as well as the accordion, I felt very lucky to find Joel. He tailors the lessons and music to your interests, provides a larger context for your instruction (i.e., discusses music theory and education, invites you to local accordion festivals), and endlessly encourages your practice. He is personable, knowledgeable, supportive, and entertaining. Couldnt imagine a better accordion teacher.
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    August 22, 2016
    CW

    Cindy W.

    Joel is a very patient teacher. He has helped me greatly with technique, especially with the bass buttons. He is extremely knowledgable of accordion repertoire of all skill levels and finds the perfect piece for his students to learn. I think of Joel as an encyclopedia of accordion.
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    August 21, 2016
    OM

    Olivia M.

    Joel has been my accordion teacher for several years, and as a learning disabled individual, picking up new skills has always been a challenge. Joel was able to adapt to my learning style in a very kind and helpful way that allowed me to grow and now I can play accordion! It brings a lot of joy to my life and I am very grateful for Joel, I wouldnt want any other teacher.
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    August 17, 2016
    NO

    Nicholas O.

    Joel is great if you are starting out or have some base knowledge of accordion. I went to him with absolutely no knowledge whatsoever of accordion and only some slight idea about music from when I played trumpet as a kid. He is extremely flexible, in that you can spend an entire lesson just talking about aspects of playing accordion or you can play a few songs and get his feedback on what you are doing right or what you are doing wrong. He can make a program where you go through a starting book or you can just tell him, hey I really like this type of accordion music and he can start steering you into that style of playing right after you learn the basics. Really the only thing I can think of as a negative for Joel is that once you reach a certain point he probably cant help you, but if you are at that point you dont really need lessons anyways. He also has a policy, which I dont think he has changed, where you can get one lesson free. So if you are looking to get into the accordion I cannot recommend Joel enough.
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    August 17, 2016

    Frequently asked questions

    We begin slowly and gently, fitting an accordion and working in Palmer-Hughes Accordion Book I or my own materials, learn each hand separately and then together. It's an individual process.

    Teaching Credential; Special Education Credential; years of accordion teaching. I perform publicly. Sense of humor.
    As of this moment (4/2023), your first lesson is free provided that you are thinking about six or more lessons and that you let me know within the week following your free lesson whether or not you want to continue. One hour lessons cost $70 right now, subject to change.

    All ages, beginners and intermediate.

    My two young grandchildren told me to wait in my room while they made a surprise.  They set up a mock accordion lesson with a music stand and chairs and their beginner accordions.  Great fun was had by all.

    Try out different teachers, since each has unique strengths, and the energy you have for learning will depend in part on how well you match with your teacher.

    What songs and kinds of music interest you most?  Will you be able to practice regularly, even for short periods?  Do you want to take weekly or biweekly lessons (weekly is great for at least the first six weeks, if possible)?  How much does a teacher pressure you?  (I don't.  Ever.)  Does your teacher offer rentals and have an accordion for you to use if transporting yours is problematical?

    Services offered

    Accordion