About
My name is Andrew Grau and am a professional bassist in the NYC area. My own journey through freelancing, undergrad and gradschool, has helped given me the experience to teach success. I have found that fostering enjoyment through listening, ear training, and simple techniques inspire and expand musical knowledge and creativity. Personally, it's important to teach what the student wants to learn, inconjunction with what must be learned, to keep them engaged and inspired. We live in a world with endless music streaming possiblities and more music coming out every day. The possibilties to createand grow are infinite.
I am a graduate of SUNY Oneonta with a BA in Music and received an MA in Jazz Performance from CUNY Queens College. I have been performing professionally for 10+ years and have been teaching privately for for 6 years. In those years of playing and teaching, I have received an endorsement by Moniker Guitars (https://shop.monikerguitars.com/), have toured all over the continental United States playing festivals, venues of all kinds, off-broadway, have been mentioned in Timeout, and am on 6 albums currently.
Feel free to browse my website and my self-released album!
https://open.spotify.com/album/3bYU4EHMBwyNPHuN6ETEHB
www.andrewgraumusic.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewjgrau/
I enjoy most expanding the minds of students. Something as simple as introducing a new artist or new technique to a student, and seeing that light bulb go off for them.
Reviews
Coles
Luke M.
Ken H.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I enjoy doing lessons in 3 segments:
1) Warm up/Technique
2) Review Last Lesson and Work on New Material
3) Listen and Learn Student Request
Whether its 30 minutes of 1 hour lessons, this is a pretty basic guide to how lessons run. Every lesson is catered individually so every lesson will deviate a slight bit.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
In addition to my BA in Music and MA in Jazz Performance, I have substitute taught piano and trumpet lessons at Song of Songs in Queens, NY.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
1/2 hour lessons are $40
1 hour lessons are $75
1 hour group lessons are $125 - if for some reason a student plays with a group and wants sepcific band insturction or masterclass
How did you get started teaching?
When working in a field that I am immensly passionate about, naturally I want to share my love of music. Specifically, I find the interworkings of instruments within a group context, and the theory and physics contained in harmony and sound endlessly interesting. While some of the finer points are not interesting to everyone, music is inherently human and it's the singular language that all people can communicate through. My goal through music education is to inspire students to seek, love and share music throughout their personal life.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with a wide range with the youngest being about 8 years old and the oldest being 40, all either students or hobbyists. I have no problem communcating professionaly to varying age groups and skill levels
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
My colleague teaches music up at the Success Academy in Harlem and I helped coordinate and play for the his winter recital. Just being able to play and work with the next generation of musicians, whether they go on to play professionally, as a hobby, or just listen to a lot of music, was very humbling. To see every group embrace the music they had learned for the concert in a very deep way truly inspired me to help my students do the same. What a great experience.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
The student should ask for recordings to listen to. If you don't like the way your potential teacher plays, then find a new teacher.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
The student should ask what do they want to sound like? Who do they like? Who's their favorite at their instrument? Who's their favorite artist/band, and why?
Answering these questions help me, the teacher, build a lesson plan that is catered to the student, and probably will help expand my knowledge in the process