PIANO, GUITAR, VOICE, BASS, UKULELE, MANDOLIN
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Enrich your life and expand your musical mind!
I’m Gidon Herman, your dedicated music instructor teaching here in beautiful Gainesville, Florida since 2009. I teach individual piano, guitar, voice, bass, ukulele and mandolin lessons to all ages and most skill levels. I give 30 minute, 45 minute, or one hour lessons typically held once a week.
My goal is to help you learn the songs you love in an enjoyable way while cultivating a deeper lifelong connection with music.
Click here to schedule your first lesson!
What will you learn taking lessons with me?
Let’s start with FUNDAMENTALS:
Reaching your fullest potential as a musician starts with a strong foundation. And a strong foundation is built on fundamentals.
- YOUR INSTRUMENT: Regardless of whether you’re learning piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, or mandolin lessons, I’ll teach you the parts of your instrument and why it’s structured the way it is. Vocal students will learn how the diaphragm, vocal chords, throat, mouth and tongue collaborate to produce sound.
- TECHNIQUE: You’ll learn the proper way to hold your instrument, and position your fingers, hands, wrists, and arms – essential for maintaining proper posture and playing efficiently. Vocal students will grasp the importance of sitting or standing upright for optimal breath and vocal control.
- MUSIC THEORY: From the musical alphabet to scales, chords, rhythm, pitch, melody, harmony, dynamics, and song structure, you’ll delve into the foundational aspects of music theory.
- READING: Initially, I’ll guide you through interpreting simple notation which will quickly give you the skill necessary to play songs. As you progress, piano students will learn sheet music, and stringed instrument students will learn tablature (unless sheet music is preferred). We’ll also incorporate YouTube tutorials, an invaluable resource for learning songs.
- EAR TRAINING: Listening and processing music is one of the most important aspects to learning an instrument. I will teach you how to analyze and interpret the world of sounds around you whether playing your instrument or just simply listening to music.
- SONGS: The strongest connection humans have to music is through song. I prioritize teaching you songs. I’ll start teaching you basic songs within the first few weeks and I’ll train you towards eventually playing the songs by your favorite musicians.
- PRACTICE: Of course, playing often is crucial to improving your skills. But, I always tell my students, “It’s not HOW MUCH you practice, it’s HOW you practice. I will teach you how to practice effectively and efficiently, shifting your perspective from viewing practice as a chore to embracing it as a love of playing your instrument.
MUSIC APPRECIATION and EXPRESSION – How to become a Musician:
As you embark on your musical journey, you’ll encounter new songs, genres, musicians, and an entirely new understanding of music. Drawing inspiration from the musical and non-musical world, you’ll enhance your playing skills and deepen your general knowledge of music. I’ll help you cultivate your unique musical style through personal expression, fostering a lifelong connection with music.
- DIVERSE REPERTOIRE: Whether you’re into pop, rock, indie, alternative, classical, jazz, video game music, movie music or any genre in between, I tailor lessons to your musical preferences. Together, we’ll explore a diverse repertoire to keep your musical journey dynamic and inspiring.
- MUSIC APPRECIATION: I encourage my students to explore all genres of music, and select songs they’re passionate about learning. As you learn a favorite song, we’ll discuss it’s composition and feeling. I may also touch on the song’s meaning and historical context.
- CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT: Through simple creative exercises, I’ll guide you through the processes necessary to improvise. Over time, I’ll help you develop a style, your style, by emphasizing your strengths and tapping into your creativity. We’ll explore songwriting if you’re interested.
- PERFORMANCE: I’ll mentor you in preparing for performances step by step. Whether performing for yourself, family, friends, classmates, or in recitals, I’ll teach you how to maintain confidence and composure on stage.
- PLAYING WITH OTHERS: Making music with other musicians is an incredible experience. Starting from basic duets, I’ll help you focus on your part while listening to others, paving the way for collaborations with multiple musicians.
- MUSIC and LIFE: My ultimate aim as a music teacher is to ignite your lifelong passion for playing an instrument and fostering your deeper connection with music. For all of my students, I strive to illuminate the profound connection between learning music and life, demonstrating how enriching and healing the experience can be.
Are you ready to start your musical journey and unlock your fullest musical potential?