After the beginning stage, most students will want to pick some of their favorite songs to learn on guitar and will get training in figuring songs out on guitar by listening. Also, tuning will become part of the practice ritual. The guitar, in comparison to the piano, has to be tuned on a regular basis – basically every time it is played. A guitar teacher will help the student to learn how to tune the guitar in a few easy steps. Studying to read tab and other forms of writing down guitar music will also be part of the journey to master the six strings in private guitar lessons.

After learning the basic chords, some strumming patterns, easy scales and a few simple songs, it is time to venture out into the world of lead guitar playing, learning to play simple solos over changing progressions, and solidifying the use of more complicated chords, such as bar chords.

To start to play lead guitar, first some basic major and minor scales (pentatonic etc.) will be introduced. Then, while one guitarist (for example the guitar teacher) is laying down a basic chord progression, the student can play a progression on top of it. Some songs also feature repetitive easy, melodic solo parts, which can be fun to learn. Learning a whole song (rhythm and lead guitar) can be fulfilling and give the student a sense of accomplishment. A good example of a song, which features an easy riff and some bar chords in the rhythm guitar and an easy melody in the lead guitar is “Come As You Are” by Nirvana.

Rhythm vs. Lead Guitar

Although the lead guitarist seems to be the more celebrated six-stringer, it is the rhythm guitarist who lays down the foundation and  plays the chords that create most songs. In reality, most lead guitarists play rhythm parts throughout the majority of the songs. The rhythm guitar is the backbone of the song, together with the bass guitar and the drums. Developing good timing and being able to play with a metronome or a backing track is a good practice before a guitarist is ready to join a band, for example.

Bending strings, hammer-ons and pull-offs are standard pieces in the lead guitarists arsenal, which also will be studied. Some electric guitars have whammy bars, which allow to bend the strings much more then just by hand. The guitar can be played with a pick, but also with fingers – basic finger picking techniques will be learned, which will be useful in many styles, especially for acoustic guitar.

Playing Guitar In A Band

For many guitar students, the main goal is to play in a band. Making music with other musicians is fun and a powerful experience. Music is the universal language – it is no cliché. A good friend of mine did spend two weeks in Japan without speaking a single word of Japanese and was able to jam every evening with Japanese musicians, who could not speak any English. Communicating with and through music is one of the most rewarding things to do, which is multiplied tenfold when the musicians play in front of a captive audience.

Why study music? Music is important for a child’s development and also in later life. For children, it helps them to communicate better, it builds their confidence and it improves their learning, which is proven by countless studies  – especially math, reading, writing and spatial skills are positively influenced by studying music, although that is not the main reason for learning music. Music also is a great creative and emotional outlet and, of course, immense fun! Not only for children.

Most of my private music students start when they are between  8-10 years old. Having said that, my youngest drum lesson student started when he was 3 and my oldest started when she was 72 – the saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” is definitely bogus in my view, and many of my older students have shown me that every one, regardless of their age, can learn new skills, adapt old ones and find enjoyment in making music.

What I can say is that some instruments are easier to pick up at a younger age. Guitar, for example, seems too challenging for most 6-year-old children, as it is physically hard to press down the strings on the fretboard and to produce a nice sound. Piano and drums are much easier in that regard. We should keep in mind, though, that excitement is worth a lot, so if a 6-year old, for instance, is interested in guitar lessons, I would definitely encourage the child and give the instrument a try.

What Kind Of Music?

I feel it is helpful to let the student lead not only regarding the instrument choice, but also when figuring out the style of music to concentrate on and study. Most of my private music students will have favorite songs or artists and will practice with much more enthusiasm and effort when they learn a song they really like rather than a song, which is picked by the teacher or author of a study book as, supposedly, the “proper” next study subject.

Here, diplomacy and a good, open student-teacher relationship is important. To pick songs that are not too hard and challenging (potentially too frustrating) is important and an open discussion can help. The most challenging thing for music students of all the instruments is a high speed. Often songs are not actually hard to play in general, but the speed they are played at makes them hard. Making clear to the students that we all have to start slowly is an important lesson – again, regardless of age.

We are all the same

My 8 year old student Kaidan gets frustrated when he can’t play a new section of a song on piano – after he does not play it “correctly” he will try it again, only faster, which is exactly NOT the way to learn a new part. My 40-year old drum student Lana does the exact same thing, and so do I! Understanding human nature and being able to diffuse tensions is an important part of keeping learning fun for 4- or 40-year old students.

Have a great week!

My friend asked me yesterday if I am “…tired of holiday music”. Although I understand his question and many people’s differing opinion, my answer is “no” for various reasons:

1. Most holiday music is pretty positive, which is always a good thing.

2. Although Christmas is the focal point of most songs, these tunes are not overtly religious and include people,  bring them together and have the potential to start a conversation: “…the weather outside is frightful” (“Let It Snow”) has been known to start off dialogues at my local Trader Joe’s as the customers commiserate about the wind and rain – or, more often, chuckle in unison as they pick their fresh fruit in a T-shirt and think about their friends and family on the east coast digging their cars out of the snow.

3. Staying with the “bringing-together” theme, the most successful and most-recorded holiday song of all times (and also the most recorded song of all time according to music rights organization BMI) is “The Christmas Song” (“Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire”) – it was co-written by Mel Tormé, who was Jewish. See, the holidays bring people together

4. The mostly upbeat songs fit this time of year, when everybody so busily tries to get things done, buys presents, meet certain people before the end of the year or before the end of the world etc. Without the cheerful sleigh-bells egging everyone on, who knows how much worse people would feel and how much sooner they would run out of steam.

5. Lastly, I feel any occasion, which brings people together to actively “make” music, instead of just listening to it and “consuming” it, is a gift. Personally, the fondest and most poignant holiday memories I have are linked to singing Christmas songs with my family in Austria. Although I did not partake in singing the songs when I was a child, now I do and think back to the many voices singing songs and my uncle playing the guitar pretty out of tune – if he could only have taken some private guitar lessons!

A Holiday Music Poll feat. Charlie Brown

Lastly, I would like to know which version of this well-known Christmas-related program you prefer:

The Funky Rock:

The Hip Hop:

The Punk Rock:

Or The Original:

To let me know your opinion or to learn how to play the funk rock drums, the hip hop bass, the punk rock guitar or the original’s piano contact me!

Happy Holidays!

Regular music recitals offer the student an opportunity to share his/her progress with family and friends alike. The recital also acts as a valuable tool in goal-setting for all students of private music lessons. It is always amazing for me to see and hear how students stepping up to the plate once they have made the commitment to perform at a recital. It also substantiates the simple lesson I have learned in  my many years as a touring and performing musician: “One show is worth ten rehearsals.”

In a rehearsal or in practice, the student can start over many times, make many mistakes, rely on the teachers signals, etc. The student is also in a familiar environment with no one else present to “impress’. Even though it is not my aim to promote students, who need to impress, it is interesting to see how the students change once even only one other person is with them in the room. This innate desire to make a good impression seems at the core of all human beings and comes through even more so when performing in front of a bigger audience.

This experience of playing live in front of an audience sharpens the physical skills, helps overcome mental roadblocks, acts as a confidence booster and creates memorable milestones. Having said that, I am not trying to replicate the, at times, high-anxiety atmosphere of a real live gig. To make it easier for the students, I am creating a comfortable environment and a no-pressure concert situation. The recital motto is: “We are not here to impress anyone, but to express ourselves.”

Share, Accomplish, Inspire

Every student takes home the feeling of accomplishment and an increased sense of self-worth. Watching other, more advanced students perform also opens up the eyes and minds of private music lesson students to what is possible to achieve. Sharing music in this way is rewarding and inspiring.

Contrary to the fad of popular music TV shows, our recitals are not set up to promote competition, and do not look towards crowning one winner and regarding everyone else as a loser, but they are conceptualized to create a shared, positive experience of enjoying music together, which is one of the oldest and most basic human forms of connection.

When And Where?

The next private music lesson recital will be held, as always, at the Martin Luther King auditorium, which is situated at the Santa Monica public library. Please contact me for an exact date and time and more info. If you are a student, a parent, someone, who is interested in future lessons, or simply a music lover – you are all invited to come and see our students perform as in this video clip underneath, which features my student Atticus (drums) and his band.

The bass guitar (often bass for short) is not a hard instrument to start with, but also not an easy instrument to play well. There are various reasons for this, for example: the bass is a big instrument – it is similar to the guitar in many ways, but it is also larger and heavier. The neck is often wider and thicker and a bigger hand is needed to be able to grip it. The strings are also thicker, which means the player needs quite strong hands to press the strings down on the fretboard. The soonest bass students usually start is in their early teens.

Developing a good bass technique is important, because many factors influence the tone and sound. For example, you can choose between playing the bass with your fingers or with a pick. After you play one note, it is necessary to mute the other strings so you hear only the string and/or note you plucked and not other, unwanted open strings or unwelcome harmonics.

All these factors are important, because they help to produce a clear, good tone. As with most instruments, the start can be hard, but developing a relaxed technique can quickly make this endeavor more fun. A bass teacher can lead the student through various exercises to support the development of a sound foundation.

Bass Guitar Lessons

Good bass instructors can help the student to develop a good technique right from the start, which will save (some) mistakes and time and also lead the student towards interesting and exciting music examples. The bass is an instrument, which especially shines in a band environment – in fact, many students tell me their goal is playing bass in a band. Because of its’ role, which is usually more in the background as part of the rhythm section, the bass can be overlooked more easily by the listener, but it is one of the most important pieces of the sound of a song. Just listen to a classic like Led Zeppelin’s “Ramble On” or a newer song like “Sour Girl” (Stone Temple Pilots) and imagine them without those important grooves, counter melodies and drive.

Choosing the right Bass Equipment is an area where an experienced bass teacher can help. Many bass students want to perform with a band, or back-up a solo artists. In those settings, the relationship with the drummer is important and drums are quite loud! Acoustic bass guitars are not loud enough in most instances to compete with the drums and other instruments, so the student will have to purchase a bass guitar, a cable and a bass amp. The choice can be quite overwhelming – guidance can be helpful.

Bass Lessons in Los Angeles

Private, in-home bass lessons provide a great way to learn the bass, especially because the bass is an instrument, which needs accuracy and control. Studying and practicing in a more quiet environment as opposed to a, sometimes, more noisy music school can help to give the student more confidence in developing a solid foundation before taking the bass and the amplifier to a more loud “band’ environment.

The first question I am asked by most of my students is: “how to hold a drum stick?” The player holds the stick between the index (and middle finger, depending on the grip) and the thumb, somewhere between the middle and the lower third of the stick. The point where the stick is held forms the fulcrum, or pivot point. Holding the stick to tightly will prevent the stick from bouncing and result in fatigue and tense muscles. Approaching the grip with control, yet loose, is a good idea. The two most common ways to hold a drum stick are the German and the French grip. Roughly, the German grip gives the player more power, and the French grip more control.

When playing not only the snare drum, but the whole drum set, these grips are both used in a fluid manner. When playing the ride cymbal, for example, the French grip seems more fitting, while the snare drum often is more effectively played when using the German grip. These drum set techniques are explained well by Steve Houghton, for instance, in a video by Vic Firth, the stick company, which I am also endorsed by.

After getting to grips with the drum sticks, students are often eager to jump right in and learn basic drum beats. Many current and classic pop/rock hits are based on the most basic drum beats, which makes figuring out fun for the beginner. To learn a basic drum beat and to be able to play along with some of the most well-known songs after only a few lessons is a great confidence-booster and aids the learning process. Tracks like “7 Nation Army”, “21 Guns” and “Highway To Hell”, for example, use three simple, yet different beats, which can be learned within the first two months.

How To Read Drum Music

Memorizing drum beats and exercises is an important step in building a drum vocabulary, but reading music plays a big part in moving forward. Although sight-reading is not essential, to be able to read drum music quite fluently will make it easier to learn new beats and exercises, which also keeps the learning process fresh and allows the student to be independent and to find new material. Reading drum notation is not very different from reading other music notation, and, in many people’s opinion, is actually a little easier, while also preparing the student for other instruments. This is one of the many reasons why the drums work well as a first instrument.

Playing drums in a band is a goal for many students, especially drummers in their teens and older. Making music with friends can be one of the most fulfilling and fun experiences one can have, if in front of an audience or in a rehearsal room. Being in a band builds team spirit, helps self-esteem and can have positive side-effects, such as kick-starting an entrepreneurial streak.

Advanced Drum Techniques

After mastering the basic snare drum exercises (rudiments) and having worked through an array of drum beats and different songs, many students have build up a basic understanding and certain comfort level on the drums. Then, it is often time to move the focus on the various pieces of the drum set and hone in on more advanced techniques. The hi hat, for instance, is played mostly in a closed position in many basic beats and songs, though it is able to produce a wide variety of sounds, depending if it is played with the tip or the shoulder of the stick, if it is open or closed, or half-open, if it is “splashed”, etc. The other individual pieces of a drum set can also be played in various ways, which makes moving on challenging and fun.

The piano is one of the most popular instruments, because it is versatile and relatively easy to learn. The piano also can provide an excellent foundation for other instruments and helps with understanding music theory in general. The knowledge acquired while studying the piano will apply to all other instruments, from stringed instruments, such as the guitar to wind instruments like the saxophone, for example. The logical and clear lay-out of the piano also creates a great visual connection of the written notes to the sounds heard.

As with all other instruments, the basics are important when starting to learn the piano. In the first piano lessons, the student will be acquainted with piano techniques, body, hand and wrist posture, and the principle of correct piano fingering. Learning the right piano fingering will allow the student to play more smoothly and move around the keys with more ease.

Practicing arpeggios, chords, scales and other basic exercises will “warm up” the student’s hands, wrists and fingers and increase dexterity, strength and stamina. Early on, choosing to learn the right songs can be an important step to keep the student motivated – of course, there is not a set of “right” songs for every student. Picking songs that are easy to play and excite the student offer the best way forward and can insure that the student practices and learns with joy, which helps the learning process.

Private Piano Classes

Private piano classes offer a great opportunity to learn the instrument quickly and in- depth and reap the best results. Developing a tailored approach for each individual student will quicken the pace of mastering the instrument, take the studies more in-depth and simply make learning music more fun.

The best piano teachers will help to identify the strengths of the individual student quickly and develop an organic approach by applying tried and tested methods on the one hand, and, on the other hand, by letting the student guide and lead by encouraging him/her to take an active role. If, for example, a student learns songs easier by ear than by sight, the teacher can encourage that aspect first and later hone in more on sight-reading. Both exemplify different sides of what produces a well-rounded pianist and musician as the end result.

Private Piano Lessons In Los Angeles

When a private music teacher comes to your house it is a privilege – Yes, I mean that it is a privilege for the student to take lessons, but I also feel that it is the greater privilege for the teacher to be allowed into the house and to bring music to a student. I do not take that  opportunity lightly and am grateful to be allowed to guide students through their progress – many of them for years. I will be happy to come to your house in areas ranging from Malibu to Venice, and from the Pacific Palisades to Hollywood.

See you here next week after we have settled in and found our rhythm with our new, second daughter.

All the best and have a music-filled week!!