I used to have a big long essay here explaining my take on the Suzuki Method, the Pace Method, the Russian Piano School and some of the accepted tenets of music pedagogy. But the scoop is that everyone is different and everyone has different musical needs and interests. I've been teaching music lessons privately and in conservatories since 1991, and if there's one thing I've learned it's that no one person is the be all and end all when it comes to music instruction. I believe that the word "music" encompasses too big a realm to be easily boiled down into one simple method that works for everyone. I approach each student individually and work with that particular student in the way I believe will be the most productive and enjoyable. I have a good track record (my students enjoy the instrument and progress musically). I am glad to furnish references if you so desire. If you click on the "Links" tab above, you will find a link to my yelp page and you can read what some of my students have to say about me.
My main interest at this time is classical piano. I have also performed with rock and jazz bands and feel comfortable with those genres as well. I am not playing as much guitar these days, but as a guitarist, I am most at home in the groovy rock/jamband/funk music world and discussing the art of improvisation/comping/etc. in those musical realms. Students wishing to focus on classical or jazz guitar with a couple of years of experience in those fields should contact Amanda Monaco for lessons. She's the bomb. You can find her on my links page.
Your ears are the most vital part of your body for learning to play a musical instrument. You should record someone playing the music you are learning so that your ears can help you to learn. I have a digital recorder and can record your lessons and email you mp3 or wav files so that you have audio examples to work with until your next lesson.
I have had students ranging in age from 3 to 57. I teach in the greater Jersey City, New Jersey area. My rates are $30 per half hour and $60 per hour at your place. I would rather teach at your place, partly because I enjoy reserving my musical space to be my musical space and partly because I don't want to have to worry about cleaning off the top of the piano or providing magazines for parents to read in the living room while I am teaching in the studio (dining room). My piano teacher, Sophia Rosoff, teaches out of her home, and I figure that if I am fortunate enough to still be doing this well into my eighties, perhaps then I'll start consolidating and working out of my home. For now, I prefer to travel. Based on your musical goals, we can figure out a schedule that works for you timewise and educationwise. For additional information, please email me at karlos(at)karlmuzik.com.