About
My students as a group make much faster and much more extensive progress than those from other studios, because I have a rare ability to diagnose sound, and determine how the student creates their tone quality. This has allowed me to write a much more accurate and comprehensive list of fundamentals than is commonly taught. I've also done some research, and have found several ways to speed progress, by training students how to think while playing.
For me, there's nothing like the exhilaration of the "aha!" moment, when a student "gets it," and is blown away by the discovery. Those happen regularly in my studio. The level of the student is irrelevant. I've had them from rank beginnner to budding pro, and that moment is always available.
Highlights
Payment methods
Specialties
Student's age
Able to read music
Years experience
Instrument style
Musical styles
Photos and videos
Reviews
Oliver T.
Greg (.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
It all starts with learning how to make it easy, while getting better! Those two things go hand in hand, because to make it right, you have to avoid unnecessary tension, which all students start out with.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
50 years experience teaching, BS Indiana University cum laude.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My rates are based on $125/hr. 45 minutes is the norm for intermediate and advanced students, and 1 hour for the occasional exceptional student working on professional refinements.
How did you get started teaching?
After a successful start as a performer, I discovered I got more reward from teaching. It was the difference between entertaining people, and making a profound difference in their lives.
I toured with many stars of my youth, like Henry Mancini, Andy Williams, the Carpenters, Johnny Mathis, and the Temptations, and played with the SF Symphony, Opera, and Ballet orchestras after moving to the Bay Area.
What types of students have you worked with?
All types. Everyone from the rank beginner, to the budding pro. All levels of interest and talent. The discoveries I've made have resulted in my distilling the book on fundamentals to a few things that work for everyone. The refinements are simply extensions of the fundamentals.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
A few years ago, a HS senior student of mine broke into the pros, playing with a well-known jazz group in Oakland. The leader couldn't get over the fact that he was just 17!
I'm classically and commercially trained,/p>
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
You want to have a good connection, early on. You're going to be learning a lot more than just music with a good teacher, like perseverance, the strength and power of a positive approach, practice discipline that pays off big time.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
I can't speak for other teachers, but in my studio, no question is off-limits . I believe we're all of a piece, as human beings. Anything that affects one part of us, will have at least some ramifications in every other part. So if something is getting in the way, let's deal with it.