Piano Lessons Westwood

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60

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What will you learn in our

Piano

lessons?

Hand Position

Proper hand position is very important to being able to play piano capably. The fingers should be curved, especially the final joint of every finger. A good hand position can often be felt by simply relaxing your hands at your sides and then bringing the hands up to the piano. Look for a slight C shape between the thumb and index fingers, and try to maintain this while playing. The wrist should remain level on top. Generally fingers should point strait ahead in conjunction with the keys. Each finger should be centered on each of the five notes to allow for greatest accurately. posture should be upright, and seat should be high enough that the elbows do not drop below the level of the keys. Shoulders should be low, and the wrist and elbows should be flexible.

Scales

Scales are very important, because it gives the aspiring pianist an opportunity to just work on legato, and evenness. Legato, (Italian for Tied Together), is an important concept for piano, and best practiced with the scale. The idea is that notes are smoothly connected from one to the next. At the moment the first note is released the next one is pressed down. This means there is no overlap between the sound of the first and second note, and but no gap in sound. The next consideration is how even the sound is. Even refers to volume level, and also rhythm. It can be quite challenging for the beginning pianist to keep every note the same volume level, especially the thumb since it is heavier and tends to make more sound. Rhythm is best practiced with a metronome, and steadily increased as everything becomes more comfortable.

Sight Reading

Sight reading is an important skill for any aspiring musician. To begin, students are taught about treble and bass clefs, (different ranges), and to identify notes that are on the lines, and notes that are in the spaces between the lines. To remember the notes on the lines, students learn phrases such as, “every good boy does fine” The first letter of each word are the notes on the lines of the treble clef from bottom to top. E, G, B, D, F. The notes that are in the spaces between the lines spell the word “Face”, F, A, C, E. As students become faster at identifying these notes based on these simple phrases, the phrases wear off and they simply recognize the note for what it is. In addition to identifying notes, sight reading includes understanding rhythm. Rhythm is differentiated in notation by notes filled in or empty, and with different stems and beams. These indicate different speeds of notes. Even the most accomplished musicians can often improve their sight reading. More advanced training involves pushing speed and looking ahead, and through creating progressive goals.

Music Theory

Music theory teaches us how recognize and identify patterns across all music. It is fascinating because it starts to bring together a clearer understanding, and patterns once complex become simple. Imagine a complicated math equation that actually has a very simple answer. Learning theory involves a mixture of ear training, (the ability to identify harmonies and melodies), as well as identifying and labeling these patterns on paper. Harmony is seen in notation vertically, and is often what might be described as the background in which a melody is set. Harmony consists of chords, (3 or more notes heard simultaneously), and can be Major, Minor, Diminished, and several others. These differences in sound are often described emotionally; happy, sad, or scary. The beginning of music theory training might involve identifying the difference between a couple of these chords. Ultimately, advanced theory students are able to write out the music they hear, and to analyze harmonies and melodies in musical scores. A full grasp on the structure of music can take years to develop.

Our Facilities

01

Newly renovated, state of the art facilities on the best streets

02

Access to grocery stores, high end shopping and cafes

03

Comfortable lobby for parents or students with amenities: water, coffee, tea, and wifi

04

Top quality Yamaha and Kawai pianos

05

iPads in every room stocked with the latest music education tools

Brentwood

11670 San Vicente Blvd #C 
Los Angeles CA 90049

Westwood Village

10921 Weyburn Ave 
Los Angeles CA 90024

Tarzana

18634 Ventura Blvd 
Tarzana CA 91356

Concerts

Angeles Academy sets itself apart with the highest caliber performance opportunities in leading venues around Los Angeles, such as the Beverly Wilshire Ballroom, (Four Seasons), where such events as the Emmy’s are held, as well as the BP hall at the Disney Center. The rare opportunity to perform in these world-class facilities increases student recital participation, preparation, and results.

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Over 70 Music Instructors On Staff

All our music instructors have been carefully screened and chosen from hundreds of applicants to bring you the finest quality music lessons in Los Angeles! Here are some factors we look for: A fun positive personality, intuition and sensitivity, flexibility in teaching approach, years of experience, and university training from a top music school. We are sensitive to the fact that not everyone learns through the same method. Our instructors will make a plan to help you or your child learn music through the songs you love, while introducing all the essentials of good technique along the way. Learn more.

University Trained

Background Checked

Warm Personalities

Years of Experience

Our hiring process

Become part of our professional team by going through all stages of selection

1

Over 5000 candidates per year

2

Only 1% selected

3

Personality tests and screening

4

Background check and due diligence

5

10 hours of training in Angeles Academy’s proprietary music education Methodology

What Are They Saying

We have a proven track record of excellence since our founding in 2011. Our testimonials for music lessons in Los Angeles can be found on Yelp, Google, Facebook and many other sites. Please enjoy just a few of our testimonials from happy customers.

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FIVE STAR!! Angeles Music Academy is beyond awesome!!! The staff are so professional and welcoming. The music teachers are so great and I have witnessed my daughter’s fast development in piano and her interest in music growing big that she is starting to learn singing as well.

Mona Namin

My son has been enrolled at Angeles Academy of Music for 2 months and we love it here. He is 7.5 and is taking piano lessons for the first time with Tori. She's amazing with kids and he is having fun and learning so much. I love how they tailor what he learns to his interests. Definitely recommend for families looking to introduce their kids to the joy of a musical education.

Eva Vieyra Osmand

This is the most supportive environment I have ever found for music learning. The teachers and staff are really amazing and welcoming. The school has very high standards AND a very fun environment. I love this school.

Sandra Duran

FIVE STAR!! Angeles Music Academy is beyond awesome!!! The staff are so professional and welcoming. The music teachers are so great and I have witnessed my daughter’s fast development in piano and her interest in music growing big that she is starting to learn singing as well.

Mona Namin

My son has been enrolled at Angeles Academy of Music for 2 months and we love it here. He is 7.5 and is taking piano lessons for the first time with Tori. She's amazing with kids and he is having fun and learning so much. I love how they tailor what he learns to his interests. Definitely recommend for families looking to introduce their kids to the joy of a musical education.

Eva Vieyra Osmand

This is the most supportive environment I have ever found for music learning. The teachers and staff are really amazing and welcoming. The school has very high standards AND a very fun environment. I love this school.

Sandra Duran

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Why choose the Piano?

The piano is a great instrument to start with. This is because its very visual, and produces a great sound without having to learn how, (such as the violin or the guitar). Because of this, it is and ideal starting instrument, especially for a young child, and this is probably why it is the number one instrument choice in the world. The piano is also the best instrument to understand music theory, (the study of the structure of music). This is because while most instruments can only play one note at a time, the piano can play many, helping students see the musical structure. While the piano is the easiest instrument to begin, and provides a great musical foundation, it is also the hardest instrument to master.

When should my Child start piano Lessons?

Usually 4 and up. This is hard to answer however, because music requires concentration and focus, and children are ready for this at different ages. The best way to find out is enroll in classes and see how well the child responds. If the parents can provide some structure and oversight to practicing that makes a huge fifference. Also attendance of our masterclasses and rectitals often sparks curiosity about learning the piano.

How long does it take to learn the piano?

Usually a few months to learn a simple piece. That said, everyone learns at a different pace, and this question is difficult to answer. With regular practice a basic level of playing can be accomplished in a few months. Also, progress tends to accelerate over time. Most of our students take lessons on a long term-basis because they want to be constantly improving and they find the lessons enjoyable.

Is it too late to learn the piano?

No. This is a question we frequently get from adults who are interested in getting back into piano after many years, or who are thinking of starting for the first time. We fully believe that its possible to learn piano at any age, and in fact some element of learning such as the technique, theory, and reading can be faster learned by the adult mind.

Do I need to buy a real piano to start or will a keyboard do?

It’s often possible to start on an inexpensive keyboard, and later perhaps rent or buy a real piano as progress is seen. For the first year or so, most adult beginners will only need to use the middle part of the piano, so a 61 key keyboard will often suffice. We sometimes adults to start with a keyboard, then upgrade to a piano as they progress. A weighted keyboard is often a little more expensive, but feels more like a real piano, and this is helpful as a transition to the real instrument. We advise to check with your instructor or to ask a friend that knows about pianos to help make an objective decision before buying.

Other Instrument Lessons We Offer at Westwood

20% OFF! - $100 Value