Teaching Goals for School Programs
G. Spensser Haynes for Partesi Music Services, Inc.

Primary Instructional Goals:

* Students must learn to read standard music notation
* Students must learn to play songs from notation, not from rote memorization
* Students must achieve some positive goal-setting/accomplishment experience

Secondary Instructional Goals:

* Students should experience the unique pleasure of making their own music
* Students should acquire additional insight about music structure and/or tradition
* Students should achieve further refinement of some aspect of playing technique on their specific instrument
* Students should feel some enhancement of their identity/personality/sense of self by the acquisition and/or development of their unique music-making skill
* Students should feel a comradery with others who share their musical involvement, especially as this may transcend grade, sex, background or other distinctions
* Students should develop the ability to make music with others on equal terms, including the development of various interactive and interpersonal skills

Information about Private Instruction
G. Spensser Haynes
 

Private students receive one-half hour personalized instruction in their home, once a week. The progress of private students is measured somewhat differently: a more lasting interest in music-making is developed, and a more subtle understanding of music gained. Private students generally do better, at least in part because more is expected of them. They tend to develop the habit of adequate preparation better, and they become comfortable with presenting themselves and their abilities.

It is important to remember that, where small-group school program instruction tends to focus on the end-of-year performances (recitals and concerts), the goals of private instruction are more internalized. When appropriate however, I offer students public performance opportunities.

Private lessons by appointment on piano, guitar, violin, flute, drums, bass, saxophone, xlyophone, recorder, clarinet. Lessons are currently priced as follows for all, regardless of age or ability: 1/2 hour lesson in your home $27.00; 2 students in the same household $50.00; 3 students in the same household $65.00. These prices are unchanged from last year. Continuing students have preference in scheduling, so new students please be prepared to be a bit flexible about this. Lessons are available on weekends by special arrangement at a slightly higher rate. Click here for more information.

Information about Advanced Subject Areas

Lessons in theory, composition, songwriting given in person and 'by correspondence'. Lessons are currently priced as follows: Beginning Musicianship (basics of making music with others) 1/2 hour lesson in your home $34.00. Contact me for details and availability.

Lessons in any of the following: Theory, Composition, Songwriting for ages 10-20 $42.00; for adults 21 and up $59.00. These subjects include significant writing, preparation and evaluation of exercises, so they are 25 to 50 minutes in length. Discounts are available for additional students in the same household. Continuing students have preference in scheduling, so new students please be prepared to be a bit flexible about this. Click here for additional information. Contact me for further details and availability.

 General Thoughts on Teaching Music

 Teaching is often a direct result of a desire to share an immensely positive experience with others. As such, it becomes a bit of a mission with most good teachers. In my case, I think my early formal music training - including the reading of notation and exposure to the basic concepts of music construction - was extremely significant in opening a broad range of life experiences to me. I also think this solid music foundation helped me to resist many of the undesirable influences that young people are inevitably exposed to as they begin to move in the greater world. Knowing there are others coming up behind me who I have been able to help is personally very inspiring as I continue to pursue my own musical path and destiny.

Additional Information
 
For Students with Special Needs and/or in Special Situations:
Please Contact Me to discuss your specific situation. I have worked successfully over the years with a number of people with various physical and learning challenges.

More Advanced Subject Areas:
Primarily for those with more Professional Aspirations or Needs:
Please Contact Me to discuss your specific situation. I have been able to help a number of people to improve their skills and motivation. I am also able to arrange professional performance opportunities of your work.