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Jesse M.

Sunnyvale, California

Learn how to develop your technique and learn pieces efficiently.

Beginners Learn to find the notes on your instrument and read simple pieces, as well as all the theory to back up all concepts. Explore the basic methods of fretting and finger picking. Play simple pieces primarily in first position in major keys. Intermediate Expand upon your theory to include all three types of minor keys (natural, harmonic, and melodic). Start to traverse the neck in pieces. Advanced Start to apply prior concepts to arrangement and improvisation. Take music off the page, and begin to live it.
About Jesse M.

*Disclaimer* I'm currently not taking beginner students for bass, drums, piano, and ukulele or children under 10 years old. I highly recommend my studio partner Melissa though. Please check out her profile: https://takelessons.com/profile/melissa-m62 My Background I've been playing with classical ensembles and rock bands since 2001. Even though I started on classical trombone and rock guitar, I have come to expand my repertoire to a variety of instruments and genres. During my time in college I performed with the University choir, orchestra, and band. I also have organized, wrote/arranged for, and performed with a variety of bands in my home state of New Mexico, as well as Japan, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 2006 I have been an active teacher. This profession has taken me everywhere from working with classical guitar classes in New Mexico high schools to Elementary students in Japan to a variety of private students of various musical instruments and genres everywhere I've been. Since relocating to the Bay Area in 2010, I've had the pleasure of working with lots of great students from kids to adults with a wide range of ambitions. Since 2012 I've been running my own full time studio. Philosophy of Learning Lessons are generally designed to work towards giving students the tools to accomplish their goals and become increasingly independent over time. While all students will study similar fundamentals regarding technique, theory, and performance, every lesson is as different as every person. What kind of music do you want to make? I'll tell you what you need to do to get there, and help you take the steps to achieve your aspirations. It's really important to know though that everyone makes their own experience. The process of learning music involves you learning as much about your own mind and body as it does any external concepts, so please keep in mind only you can move yourself forward. I also love to help students put together a song, record, and produce it for them so that they can have a recording to share with their friends and family. I also hold events for my students. (Check out our pictures and videos below!) Younger students have opportunities to perform for friends and family at my studio every few months. Adult students also occasionally have events where they get a chance to get together and play music as well. Aside from in-studio lessons, students also have the option to sign up for online lessons via Zoom or the TakeLessons Classroom feature. (*Online lessons offered during different times than in-studio lessons.) *Unfortunately due to scheduling issues, I'm not currently accepting students for bi-weekly lessons. I can do regular weekly lessons, or occasional drop-in lessons, but bi-weekly appointments make it really hard for me to give the best scheduled times to my existing weekly students. I'm sorry for the inconvenience. My studio is equipped with: *Music Stands *A P.A. System *Vocal and instrument microphones *Guitars, Basses, Ukulele, Banjos, etc *Two guitar amps and a bass amp *Various percussion including a fully equipped acoustic drum set *An electric piano console and Yamaha organ *A MicroKorg Synthesizer *A Tuba, Trombone, Cornet, Saxophone, and Flute *An extensive physical and virtual music library *A recording system that students are not only welcome to use but encouraged to *HD Webcam and condenser microphone for high fidelity online lessons via Zoom

Teaches all skill levels

Teaching since 2006

Bachelors of Music Education with Honors

Age: 10+

Speaks English, Japanese

Has background check

Instructor details
Subject: Classical Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Arrangement and Composition
Banjo
Bass Guitar
Clarinet
Classical Guitar
Composition
Djembe
Drums
Ear Training
Electric Guitar
English (ESL)
Euphonium
Flugelhorn
Flute
French Horn
Guitar
Hand Drums
Japanese
Music Performance
Music Theory
Piano
Saxophone
Singing
Songwriting
Trombone
Trumpet
Tuba
Ukulele
Upright Bass
Viola
Violin
Teaches 10+ subjects. Different subjects may have different prices.
Location:
Teacher's Studio
Teacher's Studio
SEE MAP
S Pastoria Ave

Work hours

Times are shown in your local timezone (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada)
Pricing
30 minutes
$70
60 minutes
$130
Photos & videos43 photos & videos
ReviewsWrite a review
4.8
105 Reviews
5Review Star
88%
4Review Star
10%
3Review Star
0%
2Review Star
2%
1Review Star
0%
Teacher's studio

I felt very safe and comfortable in the accepting and non-judgmental environment. I was able to use my voice to sing without getting anxious.

Posted Feb 10, 2023
Teacher's studio

Jesse is engaging, kind and you can tell he’s very experienced at teaching different levels in a patient manner. Highly recommend!

Posted Apr 28, 2022
Online

Talented teachers are rare. Like a great coach i sports... the coach doesn’t need to be the top athlete in his field to know how to teach each team member to hone their best abilities, he just has to know and see how to teach you how to get there. Being an outstanding teacher is a great talent all in itself... and that is Jesse. He has that quality and ability to lead, focus and take you where you want to go.

Posted Jun 23, 2020
...
Owner
Jan 2011 - Present
MTS - Musician Training Solutions
I started my own music education service in the Bay Area in 2011. I started by offering in-home lessons and eventually expanded to opening a studio for individual lessons as well as band classes, workshops, and summer camps.
Teacher
Nov 2010 - Present
TakeLessons
I've been working with TakeLessons since the fall of 2010. I've worked as an in-home, in-studio, and online teacher for a variety of subjects. I've also been appointed as a member of of the TakeLessons Teacher Advisory Panel and as a Team Administrator for their Google Helpouts initiative.
Instructor
Jan 2011 - May 2014
The Riekes Center For Human Enhancement
When I first moved to the Bay Area one of the first contracts I landed was as an aide for a month long rock band class offered in conjunction between The Riekes Center and The Summit School District. Since then, I worked with Riekes Center on many occasions for music classes, camps, special workshops, and one-on-one classes.
English Teacher
Apr 2009 - Mar 2010
RCS
For the 2009-2010 school year I taught English at four public elementary schools in Takaski-city, Gunma-Prefecture in Japan. During this time I planned curriculums for a wide variety of classes. Students ranged from 1st grade to 6th grade, and some groups would have weekly classes while others would only have about 3 classes over the course of a year. My classes were often built on participation, games, music, and movement.
Bachelors of Music Education with Honors
Aug 2004 - Dec 2008
New Mexico State University
English
Native Proficiency
Japanese
Limited Proficiency
Level 1 Orff Schulwerk Certification
Jul 2008
American Orff-Schulwerk Association
Orff Schulwerk is a method of music education designed by Carl Orff. It focuses on learning through organic methods of approaching music and movement.

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