How long are lessons? Usually 45 minutes or an hour. For younger students, sometimes a half hour works best. This is something we would determine at the trial lesson.
How much do lessons cost? My rates are competitive for the area, but change depending on the length of the lesson and the amount of travel involved. Contact me for details.
Where do lessons take place? You can come to my home teaching studio in Hastings-on-Hudson or I can come to your home if you live reasonably close. Please contact me and we'll see what we can work out.
How often do lessons happen? I encourage students to take weekly lessons, but I know this is difficult for some people due to busy schedules. If that's you, please mention this when you contact me and I'll try to accommodate your schedule.
What is your cancellation policy? Lessons cancelled within 24 hours of the scheduled lesson time must be paid in full or rescheduled for that week.
How much do I need to practice? My recommendation for the typical student is short practice sessions (around a half hour) several times a week. This can be very effective, especially for a beginner. Of course, the amount of practice time is up to the student, but the more you put in, the more you will get out of it. When we start working together, we will talk about your specific goals and try to come up with a practice schedule that is both doable for you and will help you reach those goals.
Why do you teach so many different instruments? I've been playing saxophone and guitar since I was a kid and later learned flute, clarinet, ukulele, and banjo. I find that playing all those instruments makes me a better overall musician. I also enjoy the variety and expanded perspective it brings to my teaching.
I don't read music. Is that okay? Yes! If you want to learn to read music, I can teach you. It's especially useful for wind instruments. If you're studying guitar or ukulele, it may not be necessary, depending on the music that interests you.
Do I need my own instrument? Yes. I can advise you on the type to get and where to get it. If your child is learning an instrument through a school music program, they may have instruments available for rent or loan.
Can you do group lessons? If quick progress is what a student wants, I encourage them to do one-on-one lessons. That being said, music is best enjoyed with others, so I do encourage students to join ensembles or play with friends. I will consider teaching a group or duo if the students are at the same level and are interested in the same music.
I'm tone-deaf. Is there hope for me? Yes! True tone-deafness is extremely rare. It's usually just a lack of confidence and experience, which are things that most good music teachers can provide, especially in a one-on-one setting.
Can you teach me this [fill in the blank] song? I'm all for students bringing in repertoire that they're excited about. Sometimes a student will need to learn some other easier songs before tackling their favorite song, but if the difficulty level is appropriate, I'll be happy to teach it.
