Brian The Music Teacher - Piano, Guitar & Songwriting Lessons

Brian The Music Teacher - Piano, Guitar & Songwriting Lessons

5.0Exceptional(5 reviews)
Offers online services
Offers online services

About

With over 15 years of private and classroom teaching experience, I offer beginner to intermediate piano, guitar, and songwriting lessons at competitive rates. I am flexible with my teaching approach, and comfortable teaching many different styles of music. In addition to traditional note-reading methods, students also have the option of learning chord-style playing, which can often build momentum and independence much quicker. I believe that beginning musicians are most empowered toward musicianship through learning how to play music that is familiar and inspiring to them, and I am skilled at breaking down songs into bite-sized pieces that are easy to follow, even for complete beginners.

​I hold a BA in Music and an MA in Music Education, and have worked extensively in New York City public schools to expand Music programming beyond traditional band, orchestra and chorus formats.

I will come to your home in Wilton or New Canaan, and teach students from anywhere around the world via video-conference. If interested, please respond with a short email including your location and prior musical experience.

Thank you for your consideration! I hope to hear from you soon.


Highlights

24 years in business
Serves New Canaan , CT
Offers online services

Social media


Reviews

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MJ

Mikyung J.

My 4years old son loves the piano lesson time and waits for teacher Brian all the week. He is an amazing musician, teacher and he knows how to teach music to the kids!
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October 09, 2018
Hired on Lessons

MJ

Mikyung J.

September 11, 2018
Hired on Lessons

NL

Noah L.

Brian taught me how to play piano not just from the book, but by improvisation and enabling me to play the music I wanted to play.
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July 09, 2018

KR

Keannie R.

What I liked was how hard Mr. Duran worked with us and for us. He saw things in us that we or our parents didn’t see in us. He always believed in us and no matter how hard things got he never gave up.
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July 09, 2018

D

Denise

Mr.Duran is an amazing teacher.Even after lessons are over, my children continue to show a keen interest in what theyve learned with him. He is very professional, exceptionally talented and dilligently engages and adapts to each childs style of learning. He is very experienced in what he does and it is showcased once the children are on the instruments. My children have taken valuable lessons with them that they will carry throughout their lives and speak very well of him. I highly recommend anyone interested in music, as you will be very impressed and learn more than you expected! I intend to continue their musical path with Mr Duran.
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July 09, 2018

Frequently asked questions

I first ask the student to share a few of their favorite songs, artists, and motivations/goals. I then go over the basics of how to produce sound on the instrument, including correct posture, hand position, and note execution. From there I provide bite-sized steps to get students into a routine of producing sound as much as possible, and teach them more technique and music vocabulary along the way as they build their skills. Eventually, between their time with me and in individuals practice, they begin playing at least one or two of their favorite songs, and are excited to continue the learning process. I also frequnetly use the HookTheory songwriting free software as a way to reinforce concepts and vary the lesson format, so we spend some time away from the instrument but still learning the language of music. Check it out! https://hookpad.hooktheory.com/

I hold a BA in Music and an MA in Music Education, and have worked extensively in New York City public schools to expand Music programming beyond traditional band, orchestra and chorus formats. My teaching philosophy and belief in the benefits of everyday musicianship for all people has been reflected through guitar and keyboard ensembles that I've established as promising 21st-century options for whole-group music instruction.

After 1 individual trial lesson, my rates are as follows:

30 minute lesson - $45 (5 minimum = $225)

45 minute lesson - $55 (5 minimum = $275)

60 minute lesson - $70 (5 minimum = $350)

I started teaching private guitar lessons while I was still in high school, after my friends, thier families, and my teachers saw how much I loved to play. During my senior year of college I maintained a private studio of 35+ guitar and bass students, many of whom formed groups and played gigs together. I have continued teaching private guitar, bass, keyboard and songwriting lessons over the last 15 years as I have become more active as a classroom Music teacher in NYC public schools.

I have worked with students aged 5 and above, from a variety of different walks of life, some with special needs.

Every year for the past four years I have run a Summer Music Academy in my elementary school. Over the last year, though I've stepped out of the classroom into an administrative role, I've greatly enjoyed coaching teachers in methods I've developed for group keyboard instruction. The Summer Music Academy has allowed me to both teach and coach at the same time. 

My family and I also took a vacation in the 1000 Islands in northern NY, and we had a blast!

Find a teacher who can communicate clearly, break complexity down into simple parts, who is organized, and who can relate to your goals and interests in an authentic and encouraging manner.

1) Am I playing for personal enjoyment, public performance, or both?

2) What are my end performance goals? Do I want to perform in a formal recital, at an open-mic night at the local pub, in a rock band or school jazz band?

3) What songs or pieces of music would I like to learn the most?

4) How much time per week / per day can I devote to practicing? What time commitment would be too much for me?

5) What skills will I need to master before I referring to myself as a musician?

6) Hopefully this goes well and I love the lessons. If not, however, at what point will I know this is no longer worth the investment?


Services offered

Guitar
Piano
Bass Guitar
Music Theory