Music Lessons With Gio

Music Lessons With Gio

5.0Exceptional(14 reviews)
Top Pro
Offers online services
Top Pro
Offers online services

About

Trained in classical and jazz, I teach piano, guitar, and ukulele, as well as music theory and composition. I value proper technique, but also encourage the participation of imagination through specific imagery exercises, because that's where I believe the best music comes from.

Having gone through extensive training myself, I've taught all ages for eight years, currently teaching over online platforms using a 2-camera HD broadcasting system, and have 18 students on my roster, looking for more. In addition to live lessons, I regularly email visual handouts with more detailed explanations, to help students better connect with the material, and I have plenty of high quality videos for technique study.

I have experience teaching children 3 and up, and also have plenty of adult students, who are either just getting started with music or seeking advanced instruction.

While I was raised with a strict Eastern European style of classical training before moving to the US, my own methods rely on compassion and making the learning process fun and musical, while also emphasizing discipline and technique (more about my education in the section at the bottom of the page).

Feel free to read more about what I do on my website or listen to my playing on my social media pages:

Website - https://www.bardzero.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/GioBardZero/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/giobardzero/

Possible Lesson Topics

Classical Piano

Scales, arpeggios, and technique exercises

Reading music and various markings/symbols

Classical pieces of various difficulty, depending on student’s level

Music theory and ear training

Imagery work - using the imagination to execute difficult techniques

Quality of sound - making the piano “sing”

Jazz Piano

Chord study, chord voicings, extensions

Reading music and lead sheets

Scales, modes, and pattern scales

Jazz standards from various genres of jazz and study of their stylistic qualities

Music theory and ear training

Improvisation and Soloing

Transcribing solos

Solo piano vs ensemble playing

Imagery work - using the imagination to intuitively connect with music

Guitar

Jazz, rock, pop, or classical repertoire, depending on student’s goals

Basic and advanced chords

Alternate picking, fingerstyle techniques, strumming patterns

Music theory and ear training

Tone color and quality of sound

Guitar solos and improvisation

Imagery work - using the imagination to aid with various techniques

Playing and singing at the same time

Theory/Composition

Basic and advanced music theory and its uses in classical, jazz, and contemporary styles

Songwriting in different genres

Harmonic analysis using roman numerals

Part writing in 4 voices, voice leading guidelines

Ear training, intervals, understanding different types of chords and scales

Functional and non-functional harmony

Modulation

Composition software

Lyric study and lyric writing

Music is my life. I love all aspects of it, the energy of playing for a crowd, the meditative aspect of playing by myself at the end of the day, and the joy of teaching others.


Highlights

Current Top Pro
Hired 4 times
1 employee
12 years in business
Serves Philadelphia , PA
Offers online services

Social media


Photos and videos


  • Reviews

    0.0
    0 reviews
    5
    0%
    4
    0%
    3
    0%
    2
    0%
    1
    0%

    JB

    John B.

    Gio is an absolute musical wizard. He is a master of multiple instruments and has strong ambition for helping his students improve.
    ... Show more
    June 11, 2021

    J

    Joshua

    Took lessons for 2 months to pass an audition, ended up passing, highly recommend
    ... Show more
    November 13, 2020

    VF

    Vinicius F.

    Gio is a great teacher! He was able to pick up quickly my interests and where I need to work. Every time we meet he identifies my progress and helps me focus on what needs imrpovement. He is also very flexible and switches things around to keep things interesting and fun. Highly recommended!
    ... Show more
    August 10, 2020
    Hired on Lessons

    AJ

    Alyssa J.

    Gios a great piano teacher. Hes patient, knowledgeable, but most importantly makes learning music FUN. You should hear him play guitar too, he shreds it up!
    ... Show more
    August 07, 2020

    JH

    Jessica H.

    Any adult students looking to learn a musical instrument or brush up on old instrument playing skills, Gio is a talented musician, and a top notch instructor.
    ... Show more
    August 06, 2020

    NB

    Nana B.

    Gio is a great musician and a very good music teacher. Hi explains everything well and shows how to improve musical performance
    ... Show more
    August 04, 2020

    Frequently asked questions

    I'm always curious to see firsthand where the student is at, if they've played before, so that we can begin with appropriate course-work. The first lesson is always free, just so we can get a sense of where we are at and if I'm a good fit as a teacher. Afterwards, the process is different for beginners as opposed to those who have some experience playing or people seeking advanced instruction.

    7-Year Classical Music Program at Tbilisi State Conservatory (Focus on Piano and Oboe)

    Jazz Piano Performance Degree at Metropolitan State University of Denver

    Work with various private teachers and mentors over the years, including Helen Gatlin, Janet Landreth, Solomon Chapman, and Natasha Shurgaia

    8 years of teaching private music lessons

    3 years of teaching group music classes in elementary schools

    24 years of practicing and playing the piano

    16 years of practicing and playing the guitar

    Various masterclasses

    11 years of performing professionally

    Silver Certificate from the 2019 International Keyboard Odyssiad Competition

    First lesson is always free, as a trial, to see if I'm a good match as a teacher. Afterwards, the rates are:

    $35 for half hour lessons

    $45 for 45 minute lessons

    $50 for one hour lessons

    Rates are per student. If signing up for a monthly plan, the rates are discounted:

    $120/mo for weekly 30 min lessons

    $140/mo for weekly 45 min lessons

    $160/mo for weekly one hour lessons

    Years ago I had friends and children of friends who wanted to learn how to play and asked me to be their teacher. Through teaching them I realized that I love to teach music. Since then, I went to school for music, applied at different lesson studios and got multiple jobs teaching, and also continued teaching privately, as well as teaching group lessons through a company that organizes them in elementary schools.

    Youngest I've worked with was 3, at that age all we can do is play musical games involving the names of the notes, rhythm, and call and response. Eventually we were able to actually play songs and chord progressions.

    Oldest student I've had was a 70 year old gentleman who has never played music in his life before. Some of my students are teenagers who are at the intermediate level. A few are adults, some of whom are taking advanced instruction and others are just getting back into playing music.

    I've taught a few people who were specifically preparing for auditions (and am proud to say have all passed!).

    I also teach songwriting and composition classes, involving things like chord theory and structure, and have had established musicians take theory lessons from me as well.

    Raising over $6,000 through crowdfunding for my first album was an incredible experience. The entire process took 5 months, most of it spent finding the right people to work with and preparing for the crowdfunding month. We recorded one song and then Covid-19 put a damper on recording the rest of the album. That song turned out great, however, and I'm looking forward to being able to get back into the studio.

    Have some general goals, such as what kind of music you'd like to play or what level of skill you're looking to develop. Have enough time every week to regularly set aside for practicing: lesson time is where you receive instructions on what to practice, but practice time is how you actually improve and reach your goals.

    What is my current level of playing? What kind of music am I interested in playing? What is my favorite music to listen to? Am I prepared to invest a few hours every week into practicing my instrument, which might seem like an uphill battle for the first few weeks? Am I forgiving of myself when I make mistakes and am I prepared to embark on a journey that will likely result in many mistakes, before progress is visible?


    Services offered

    Guitar
    Piano
    Harmonica
    Music Theory
    Beatbox