R. Chuck Jacks - Online Music Lessons

The first lesson for new students is always $Free. That way, you know what you're getting yourself into beforehand. And, I can get to know you to see if this is a good fit, too. The first lesson is usually a lot of talking, explaining the lesson process, attendance policy, and making adjustments to the technology. Throughout the year, any time spent on purely fixing a technical problem is not charged. I always give a free makeup lesson to make up for that time.

I have extensive experience as a private lesson teacher, but also as a public school teacher and college teaching experience. In addition, I worked for 5 years with Royal Caribbean as a professional Trombone Player. For my beginner students through to my most advanced, I have the knowledge and the experience to help you learn how to achieve your musical goals.

Yes. I have 3 categories of pricing for my students. 1) For weekly half-hour lessons, I charge $30/lesson. 2) For bi-weekly 1 hour lessons, I charge $60/lesson. 3) For weekly 1 hour lessons, I charge $60/lesson. The entire month of lessons is due during the first week of the month (for example, January 1-7). Zelle is my preferred payment method.

Teaching private lessons is in the family. Growing up, my mom was teaching woodwind private lessons as a side job after school. During college, I got started with my first brass students. I really loved it a lot, so I decided to switch my major from Music Performace to Music Education (I had no idea that teaching private lessons is nothing like being a public school teacher... not even close). After leaving the public school position and working for 5 years as a professional trombone player, I had this passion inside me to take everything I had learned and pass it on to the next generation. In the fall of 2012, I was hired at a local music store to do just that. During the lockdown, they went out of business permanently, so now I teach from Zoom and it's great! The parents and students both love the convenience. Over the last few years I have been able to get the sound quality to a high level, too. One of my students said to me, "I know this is weird, but it sounds like you're in the room playing the Trombone sitting right next to me." So, that's pretty good! :O)

I usually work with the type of student who treats music as a serious hobby that they want to excel at. A handful want to take it to the next level as a college music major, and some kids originally start lessons because they feel like they are a little behind their peers. I teach beginners, advanced, adult students, really anybody who has a desire to improve on their instrument.

Recently, I was hired to be in charge of an historical event celebrating the 150th anniversary of Ventura County in Oxnard, CA (just north of Los Angeles County). It was a really cool event, where I told the story of each song in chronological order eventually leading up to 1873. It went from the gold rush in 1849 to statehood in 1850, the Civil War, and even connecting to the East Coast through the railroad, telegraph, and stagecoaches, too. Everybody had a lot of fun and we sounded great, too!

The first advice about looking for a teacher is this - do they have patience? After that, do they continually learn the best methods of not only teaching, but new and advanced performing techniques? "You can't teach what you don't know" is a motto I stand by. Also - Is this a people person? You don't want someone who is a phenomenal musician, but who can't connect with their students. You want to have the whole package. Especially because this is a teaching relationship that will last for years to come.

A student should always feel confident to express to their teacher what their current goals are. It might be some hard music in school that week. It could be an audition for symphonic band or marching band. Or something bigger, like an All-State Festival. Whatever that is, telling your teacher helps them to tailor the lessons towards your needs and desires. Also, and this is a big one, please speak up if at any time the lessons are too easy for you or even if they are a little too advanced. Private lessons are geared toward being able to speed up or slow down depending on where you are at today, in the moment. This helps a teacher to really focus in on what's best for that particular lesson.