Mark James Music Lessons

Mark James Music Lessons

5.0Exceptional(6 reviews)
Offers online services
Offers online services

About

I'm a full-time music instructor. I have a music education degree with over 40 years of experience teaching young children, teens, and adults including 16 years teaching at Vanguard University.

Consider the teaching credentials of your teacher. A qualified and experienced teacher, one with a music education degree, can make a huge difference in the success of the student.

Private instruction allows me to tailor the course to match the goals, interests, and learning pace of the individual student.

I strive to maintain the student's motivation to learn by providing this personalized instruction in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

The method course I use will emphasize note reading skills, technique, and artistic creativity. It is geared to train the student to be a contemporary musician. Music theory will be taught along the way.

I particularly enjoy seeing students achieve results they didn't think were possible, then observing their satisfaction and joy when they get their piece filmed and uploaded on YouTube to share with family and friends all around the world.


Highlights

Hired 9 times
1 employee
48 years in business
Serves Santa Ana , CA
Offers online services

Payment methods

Cash, Check, Venmo, Apple Pay, Zelle

Social media


Specialties

Musical styles

Country, Jazz, Folk, Classical, Recommendations available

Guitar style

Acoustic guitar, Recommendations available

Has instrument

Student who have a guitar, Student who don't have a guitar, but are planning to purchase one

Years experience

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

Able to read music

Students who can read music staff, Students who can read guitar tabs, Students who cannot read music

Lesson length

30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes

Student's age

5 – 10 years old, 11 – 13 years old, 14 – 18 years old, 19 – 25 years old, 26 – 45 years old, 46 – 65 years old, Over 65 years old

Photos and videos


  • Reviews

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    KH

    Karl H.

    June 29, 2018
    Hired on Lessons

    GR

    Gabriela R.

    I have been taking my son to Mr. Mark for about 2 months already and all I can say is that he is wonderful. My son is 7 and has ADHD. He is a handful most of the time. His has poor attention span and is super hyper. Mr. Mark has always made him feel welcomed and has all the patience in the world to deal with him. He is very knowledgeable about music and explains everything to my son like he was an adult. Its amazing how my son understands everything! Mr. Mark has helped my son to fall in love even more with music. I totally recommend him to anyone. He is awesome!
    ... Show more
    December 18, 2017
    Hired on Lessons

    LH

    Lynn H.

    Mark is very patient and helpful for an older beginning guitar student. He is obviously knowledgeable and skilled in many areas of music so he is able to give good advice and direction. Ive had two sessions and plan to continue my lessons with him. I think he is a great teacher and a really good guy!
    ... Show more
    July 09, 2017
    Hired on Lessons

    LB

    Leslie B.

    Mark is an excellent teacher as evidenced by my 11 yr old grandsons enthusiasm for his lessons. Mark is professional, kind, and supportive. He strikes just the right note (pun intended.)
    ... Show more
    February 21, 2017
    Hired on Lessons

    CN

    Cheryl N.

    My mid-teen grandson (NN) asked if he could have a key board as his Christmas gift. A few months after receiving the key board I asked NN if he would like to take lessons and he said yes. I located Mr. James through a professional music teachers association and the rest is history. Mr. James is a dedicated and extremely patient teacher. NN has been Mr. James weekly student for 18 months and I attend each lesson and observe his teaching skill as well as the development of NNs music ability. I think it says a lot about a teachers skill if a 16 year old wants to continue the lessons. My judgement of the teaching skills is partially based on the fact that I have been attending music lessons (cello with various teachers) with my now 20 year old granddaughter for 10 years.
    ... Show more
    November 03, 2016

    SB

    Susan B.

    After my sons first piano teacher moved to another state, we tried others, but he was only discouraged. We are so happy we found Mark, he has brought back my sons desire to learn.
    ... Show more
    August 29, 2016

    Frequently asked questions

    First, I will find out the musical goals and interests of the student. As the lessons progress, the student may request certain pieces to play or styles to emphasize. Next, if they are not a beginner, I will have them play a piece they know and then sight-read some new music so I can place them in the correct level. 

    I have a music education degree with over 40 years of experience teaching private music lessons including 16 years teaching at Vanguard University. I have also served as a church music director where I arranged music, conducted rehearsals, and performed.

    Most beginning students take a 30-minute lesson once a week. This provides enough material to practice at home for about 30-minutes a day. So, pricing is based on a 30-minute lesson. 45-minute and 60-minute lessons are available too for an additional charge.

    My father, Everett James, and uncle Mel James opened James Music Studio at 518 S. Main St. in Santa Ana, CA in 1946. Consequently, I started playing music at a young age and have stayed active my whole life. I first started teaching while in high school.

    I have successfully worked with students of all ages, children through seniors.  

    Several years ago I had a 7 year old beginning guitar student whose father was serving in the military overseas. He was delighted to be able to see her playing one of his favorite songs via YouTube. I encourage all of my students to prepare and record a piece now and then for my YouTube channel to share with family and friends, particularly for those living outside the US who would otherwise not be able to see their progress. I use a high quality camera and microphone with good lighting to produce high quality music videos. 

    When selecting a music teacher, consider their teaching credentials. Do they have a music education degree? A qualified teacher can make a huge difference in the success of the student.

    If you haven't already purchased an instrument, please talk to me first. Getting the correct size and type instrument can allow the student to progress much faster. It's a shame to see children (and even adults) lose interest in music simply because their instrument is uncomfortable to play.


    Services offered

    Guitar
    Piano
    Bass Guitar
    Clarinet
    Brass Lessons