Modern Music Lessons

        Voice, Piano, Guitar
                Song Writing
                        Music Theory
                                Worship Leading I teach voice, piano, and guitar to students of all ages. Depending on what a student desires to learn, I focus on playing by ear and by chord, music theory, song writing, performance techniques, and worship leading. Often the lessons weave several of those topics together. For instance, I might be teaching a student how to sing, play the piano, and to perform solo. Or I might teach a student to sing, play guitar, and plan and lead worship sets. I might have them plan a worship set over the week, and then in the lesson I might critique things like song transitions, vocal pitch and tone, guitar rhythm, different chord voicings, etc. The lessons are applicable to any modern music genre, but as a worship leader myself, I often teach people who wish to apply their musical skills in a Christian worship setting. I enjoy creating a fun and productive learning environment.

My modern approach to piano lessons is often appropriate for people that have already received, or are currently taking traditional piano lessons, and now want to learn how to apply piano in a modern music setting.

I also teach traditional piano lessons if you are more interested in that approach. It is often best to get children grounded in the basics of note reading before launching them into a chord based approach to playing, and I have years of experience in this type of lesson as well.

My approach to teaching guitar focuses on the skills needed for most modern styles of music. I focus on chords, scales, and developing the student's 'ear' and ability to improvise rather than on traditional note reading.

My approach to voice is applicable to all styles of music. I focus on helping the singer create a free and unrestrained tone, and I am skilled in coaching the stylistic nuances for many different genres.

Each student is given personal consideration to be taught the way they learn the best. I realize that people are different, and therefore, my teaching changes to suit their needs. I encourage input from parents and students to help me with this goal.

If you would like to hear a sample of what I do personally as a musician, start the media player at the bottom of your screen.

DAN'S EXPERIENCE

• A degree in Music Education from a Christian University (Azusa Pacific)
• Author of the Worship Music Ministry Training Course
• Has lead worship or toured for over 15 years
• Recording artist and song writer
• Private music instructor for over 12 years

The following points outline the way lessons work.

TUITION

• Lessons are $20 per half hour.
• Please pay for the number of lessons you will be taking in that month at the first lesson of the month.

MISSED LESSONS

• I request that you please do your best to make it to lessons that we have scheduled.
• If you forget to show up to a lesson, you still need to pay for it.
• If you need to re-schedule or miss a lesson, please give me as much notice as possible.

GENERAL POINTS

• Parents are welcome at any time to observe the lessons.
• If your hands are dirty please take time to wash them in the down-stairs bathroom, and if your shoes are dirty please take them off just inside the door.
• Be sure to bring your assignment and all current music to lessons.

PRACTICING

• Students and parents must be committed to practicing in order to make good progress and to enjoy lessons.

SUGGESTIONS FOR PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

• Parent involvement is crucial to the success of a child flourishing in their musical development.
• Students who receive diligent encouragement during the week from parents will generally advance much quicker and derive greater pleasure from music than those who are left on their own.
• Even parents with no musical background can provide the structure that children need to focus, persevere and have fun with music.
• Be Interested in what your child is doing. Even if you don’t understand it all, pay attention to what is being learned that week. It helps a student to answer questions from you about what they are doing.
• Encourage your student in what they are doing. When they are sounding good, then tell them so. If they are getting frustrated or are having trouble being devoted to practice, then encourage them that it is worth the work to keep going.
• Review the goals for that week with your student. Do this soon after their lesson, but also periodically during the week. This will help them keep it clear in their mind what they are trying to accomplish.
• Help to schedule your student’s practice time throughout the week. Will they practice all at one time each day or a couple of short times each day? At what time of day will it occur? Etc.
• Check in on their progress during the week. Even if you don’t know the songs or understand music, you can tell if they are progressing. Ask the student to play their assignment songs for you as a little mini recital.
• Know when not to help. Sometimes it is better to back off and let them go on their own. As the parent, you can judge if it is helping or hindering for you to be more or less involved during the week.
• Be excited about your child’s progress.

I would be really happy to work with you. Please feel free to call or email if you have any questions. Better communication leads to better teaching.

Dan Ryker
(541) 754-1463