LCCOTO Jazz Theory Lessons
THE ANDY WASSERMAN SCHOOL OF MUSIC
STUDY ONE-ON-ONE WITH RESPECTED AND ACCOMPLISHED PROFESSIONAL MUSICAL ARTIST ANDY WASSERMAN
40 YEARS TEACHING EXPERIENCE; teaching online since 2010 to students worldwide!
PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS IN REAL-TIME VIA VIDEO CHAT
Interactive, personalized instruction on the internet, customized and tailored to your level, musical taste, preferred stylistic genre and goals!
Advanced and high-tech online teaching studio with state-of-the-art audio, video and software teaching tools.
TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SPEAK WITH ANDY, click this CONTACT ANDY WASSERMAN linkTO SEND A CONTACT FORM MESSAGE.
Musical artist and educator Andy Wasserman has been giving private music lessons online since 2010 with highly interactive, customized and personalized programs of study via video chat in real-time for students around the world (all ages and all levels). Click THIS LINK to find out more about his online lessons within this website.
Andy Wasserman's Music Curriculum:
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS
PIANO - beginner, intermediate and advanced levels; all styles: Jazz, Classical, Pop, Standards and Showtunes, etc.
DRUMS AND PERCUSSION - beginner and intermediate levels; drum set: all styles; West African and Afro-Cuban percussion
ELECTRIC BASS - beginner level; all styles: Rock, Pop, Jazz, Funk, Hip-Hop, etc.
DIGITAL MUSIC TECHNOLOGY - Music Software, Keyboard and Synth Programming, Electronic Drums, Looping, MIDI, Recording, Mac/Windows
MUSIC AS THERAPY- instrumental lessons for Special Needs individuals of any age or level
INSTRUCTION IN RELATED MUSIC STUDY
MUSIC THEORY - foundations of theory for arranging, improvising and composing; creating your own arrangements for all styles of music
COMPOSITION and ARRANGING- beginner, and intermediate through advanced levels
IMPROVISATION- beginner, and intermediate through advanced levels on any instrument
RHYTHMIC TRAINING - for all instrumentalists and vocalists
CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR OF GEORGE RUSSELL'S LYDIAN CHROMATIC CONCEPT OF TONAL ORGANIZATION - the art and science of tonal gravity
Click TRACK button to get current and upcoming live stream concert updates for Andy Wasserman music events at Bands-In-Town
As of May, 2020, Wasserman works with 20 to 30 private students per week. He provides customized online music lessons to students around the world via video chat, phone and email. Please visit PIANO LESSON CITY, the companion website dedicated to Andy Wasserman's distance learning lessons for in-depth detailed information.
For students in the Northwestern New Jersey area, he travels to their homes to provide the most convenient and satisfying music education experience.
When students work with Andy, they benefit greatly by working with someone who is not only an educator, but a full-time professional musician who is involved in the creation of original music and continually focused on the evolution of his own artistry. Andy communicates that intensity of dedication, which in turn inspires and motivates his students to move forward. Music is a total commitment. The aim is to be able to hear it, then play it. This "emotional intelligence" helps a student become an artist, not simply a musician.
Feel free to CONTACT ANDY to set up an appointment for an interview - which is free of charge and without obligation. At that time prospective students will receive a detailed policy regarding registration, tuition fees, payment schedules and lesson logistics. Scroll down this page to read testimonials from students. Scrolling further will reveal in-depth information about his courses, outlined by instrument and subject.
As a full time professional musician and educator with over 35 years of teaching experience, Andy approaches every student as an individual regardless of their level. He does not have a preconceived rigid program or use a "cookie-cutter" plan that plugs a person into his methodology. Instead, he sees each student - regardless of age or level - in relation to their potential, addressing the student's own interests and goals and adapting to their strengths and unique talents.
Wasserman's mission is to nurture, motivate and inspire the innate talent within each student. This is achieved by creating a unique program of study that leads to the fulfillment of their complete musical potential. He shares an enthusiastic dedication to his life's work in music, creating a fresh and vibrant atmosphere during the lessons by meeting the challenge to find what is most productive for each student. This educational philosophy allows room for experimentation in terms of course of study, books, and curriculum content. The goal is to allow the student to tap into the positive emotions and mindset that fuel the fire of passion for learning through the joy of music making.
Unlike many other professional musicians who teach, he not only enjoys working with the advanced student, but is humbled and honored to be working with children with no previous experience. This is evident in the comfortable learning atmosphere he creates that fosters the development of a love and appreciation for all that music making can enrich our daily lives.
The study of a musical instrument accelerates the growth of intelligence and establishes a keen sense of personal discipline while nuturing the valuable virtue of patience. By focusing the mind on listening and calming the nerves, music making is one of the healthiest outlets for self-expression, balance, creativity and joy - key ingredients in the development of SEL (Social and Emotional Learning).
Additionally, Wasserman has had great success teaching music to those with special needs of any age, including those with developmental or neurological impairment, especially children with autism, Asperger syndrome, ADHD or learning disabilities. For more information, CLICK THIS LINK to browse the "Holistic Music Healing" page on this website.
CLICK THIS LINKTO VISIT THE TESTIMONIALS PAGE ON THIS WEBSITE WITH DOZENS OF REVIEWS WRITTEN BY ANDY WASSERMAN'S PRIVATE STUDENTS PAST AND PRESENT.
A QUESTION ASKED VERY OFTEN THESE DAYS - "Why study music with an experienced, qualified, life-long professional musician and music educator when you can simply watch YouTube videos and try teaching yourself?" The answer is this:
Music is a deep and worthy subject to pursue.
A deep subject must be studied deeply.
A worthy subject must be studied in a worthy manner.
In order to pursue music in an enjoyable, fulfilling, creative, connected and authentic way we must make a sincere intention and commitment to the process of learning as we grow to know it.
To do that, we must study it correctly.
Lessons in Piano
The piano is Andy's primary instrument.
He has been playing piano for over 50 years and took formal lessons for nearly 30 years from a variety of highly experienced teachers. Wasserman passes along to his students the rich and diverse knowledge that he was fortunate to receive from his stellar mentors Anne Bacon Dodge, Dwike Mitchell, George Russell and Jeannette Giguere. As a graduate of New England Conservatory of Music, Andy is well versed in a multitude of stylistic genres - yet many of his students come to him for his experience and expertise in Jazz, Blues, improvisation and the ability to create arrangements for solo piano.
Click THIS LINK to learn more about Andy's professional career as a pianist.
Andy's original approach and time-tested teaching methods place emphasis in these indispensable areas of music pedagogy:
developing a masterful piano touch with a full range of dynamic expression by working with gravity and relaxation
recognition of patterns in music; understanding the theory of music as a language
rhythmic training: how to count solid, steady beats in even and odd meters; develop rubato, swing, shuffle and syncopation time in different tempos with special focus on note sub-divisions
how to become a better listener and gain confidence in playing songs by ear: "if you can hear it, you can play it !!!"
using the piano as a creative activity for self-expression and inner, emotional awareness
establishing a vast piano repertoire in a variety of styles and genres
understanding how to play as a member of an ensemble, rhythmic section and in jam sessions
techniques for working as an accompanist - either of your own singing or for others
learning the many preparation and rehearsal skills required to feel comfortable and confident in order to enjoy performing your chosen repertoire in public - for family and friends, holiday celebrations, music recitals, talent shows, etc.
Lessons in Drums and Percussion
There is an ancient wisdom expression that says that the only thing a person can do to truly help their fellow human being is to improve their rhythm. Of course, this axiom relates to rhythm in the most general sense, such as the "bounce" in someone's step or the rhythm of their daily life.
Andy brings a high level of discipline to his student's rhythmic training, mixing technique, playing by ear and note reading. He specializes in Funk, Hip Hop, Rock, Pop, Alternative, Jazz and Afro-Cuban styles structured for beginner through intermediate level students of any age.
His unique methods reinforce the musicality that can be expressed on the drums beyond just keeping time or playing grooves. He is currently working on an instructional book that explores the underlying universal rhythmic code that structures all rhythmic patterns.
As a multi-instrumentalist, Andy often accompanies his drum students on piano, keyboards and/or his electric bass. This helps them to learn to hear what a "rhythm section" sounds like and how it works.
ANDY'S EDUCATIONAL & PERFORMANCE BACKGROUND IN DRUMS AND PERCUSSION
Drum student and performer in his school bands from 5th grade through first year of college.
Accepted to the High School of Music and Art (Manhattan) on drums and orchestral percussion.
Drummer in various rock, blues and jazz bands in the New York City area ages 12 - 17.
Performed and studied orchestral percussion (timpani and mallet instruments) in grades 7 through 10.
Performed in many New York City Fifth Avenue holiday parades on snare drum in Boy Scout marching bands.
Decades of private and group study on non-Western hand percussion, drum kit and electronic drums.
Over 35 years of performing drums and percussion in his World Music Experience arts-in-education concerts
(click THIS LINKto learn more)
Lessons in Composition, Arranging, Theory and Improvisation
Andy Wasserman is an accomplished BMI composer and arranger (click THIS LINK to read more about his composition background and experience) who also gives private lessons to aspiring musicians who wish to create their own music. He welcomes beginners who are new to composition and/or arranging, as well as the more advanced musicians and songwriters who have already begun to craft their own music.
His current roster of composition students consist of very motivated and inspired budding composers in elementary school, middle school and high school grade levels, as well as adult students and professional musicians.
Private lessons in composition very often include instruction in George Russell's Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization - the art and science of tonal gravity. Maestro Russell was Wasserman's composition and theory professor at New England Conservatory of Music. This "Concept" is easily assimilated by students who have little or no previous study in traditional Western music theory. The fundamentals of music theory are essential to the study of composition, and "The Concept" is a map that explains what the music itself is telling us about it's innate structure.
Click HEREto read more about Andy Wasserman's work with the Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization
Wasserman's composition students are encouraged to find their own voice, their own message, and their own story. He gives them the tools that work best for them to break down the barriers between their musical truths and the expression of those truths. His students in arranging learn how to arrange either original compositions or already existing repertoire from any stylistic genre in pieces for any instrumentation, ensemble or vocal group. Notation software is also taught as the latest way to create your own professional sheet music.
Andy Wasserman specializes in teaching his students the meaning behind the music through traditional Western music theory and George Russell's Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization. He includes quite a bit of theoretical information in his instrumental lessons but is also working with a few students whose entire focus is the study of music theory.
Additionally, Andy teaches musicians how to improvise and express themselves freely and with originality on any instrument. The two disciplines of music theory and improvisation go hand in hand. Think of music theory as learning how to speak a language and improvisation as then deciding what it is that you wish to say in that new language.
A student must be an advanced beginner on their instrument and at least 9 years old in order to pursue these subjects.
Anyone can learn how to improvise within any style of contemporary music, but the art of improvisation is often best suited in the context of Jazz - American's indigineous improvisational music.
In this study the student learns to listen and build phrases that communicate a coherent, simple and clear meaningful musical statement while exploring rhythmic invention. Andy gives you the tools to build your own improvised sound with a time-tested method of teaching from the perspective of self-expression and creativity. After all, that's what improvisation is all about - and music theory gives you the map with which to navigate your journey of exploration. These lessons can be of tremendous help to aspiring songwriters and composers in mastering their artistic and aesthetic judgment as well.
Lessons in Digital Music Technology
Andy Wasserman instructs his students in the art and science of using digital music technology in the most creative and productive way. Designed as an individual track of study or incorporated into lessons in compostion, arranging, theory, improvisation, instrumental music, recording and production.
As of 2017, it is practical and extremely economical for anyone - at any age and at any level - to incorporate the current digital music technology into most phases of music composition, production and even performance. The tools that a musician can use on a daily basis are more readily accessible and affordable than ever. At the heart of the digital music techology is the personal computer.
Wasserman has been using a personal computer in his music creation and production since 1986 when he started with the Macintosh Plus, Mark of the Unicorn's Performer version 1, Sound Tools version 1 (which later evolved into today's most popular recording software "Pro Tools"), Finale version 1 and the Akai S900 digital sampler. He has adapted to the myriad of upgrades in technological evolution that have taken place in the last 22 years and now uses a the full spectrum of currently available digital music hardware and software suites to be as creative as possible. Click THIS LINK and scroll down that page to read about Andy's current work in the field of Music Technology.
Andy's teaches his students how to create and use their own digital music workstation with a simple computer and keyboard interface. He then instructs them in the applications of musicality in the following disciplines of study:
learn the art of notating your charts, lead sheets, compositions or arrangements by using software that allows your printed music to look professional, clear and accurate.
learn to use music sequencing software along with a MIDI keyboard to assign different instruments of the band, choir or orchestra to different MIDI channels and hear back your music as an ensemble.
take advantage of the full spectrum of digital music tools to structure, produce, record and notate your own music.
learn to incorporate digital music technology into every phase of your production, from conception to the final CD or MP3 files for the internet
learn how to build your own affordable and professional sounding home workstation and mini-studio to record, edit and master tracks for both acoustic and electronic music.
any instrumentalist can use digital music technology to help them use notation, recording and production in their practice routines and performance techniques, including ear training and rhythmic training.
there are many software programs available today to help students of music theory master the fundamentals and hone their craft.
Take Music Lessons in Real-Time Online via Video Chat
NEW: REAL-TIME ONLINE LESSON PROMO VIDEO. CLICK TO VIEW THIS YOUTUBE LINK!
Andy teaches students outside of New Jersey through a high-speed internet in his recording studio for personalized, one-on-one webcam private lessons via real-time streaming video, audio and file sharing
This online distance learning can be accessed using your choice of the free call service platforms Skype video conferencing for face-to-face webcam streaming. Your lessons can be recorded during the call and archived, stored on your device for future reference. Or if you prefer, we can communicate via phone calls and email too.
Wasserman's studio configures an Ethernet-wired connection, two Hi-Def webcams (switching views between face and Steinway grand piano keys) a studio condenser microphone and Pro-Audio USB interface for smooth, superb sound and picture.
Andy has 3 free services available by request to supplement the video chat for an enhanced learning experience: the whiteboard web program, with audio, document upload and text-chat functions for charts and sheet music (Andy draws on whiteboard in real-time during lesson with Wacom Tablet); music notation software file sharing, and cloud storage for custom video and audio practice files he produces individually for each student.
CLICK HERE to send an email directly to Andy for more details on his one-on-one, distance learning private lessons, as well as CLICK HERE to view a page on this site dedicated exclusively to his REAL-TIME ONLINE LESSONS:
Interactive and personalized instruction on the internet, customized for you!
ADVANTAGES OF TAKING ONLINE MUSIC LESSONS
Quality of the teacher: Most educators agree it is better to have Skype lessons with an excellent teacher than it is to have in-person lessons with a less qualified teacher.
Searching for the best match to suit your needs: Seeking a new teacher using Skype broadens the search possibilities since choices are not restricted to one's local geographical area.
Connecting with the right teacher: Skype gives students the opportunity to find the best teacher whose expertise can help them attain their goals.
Added benefit of Recording the Lessons: While students always have the option to record their in-person lessons, it rarely happens. But students can easily record Skype lessons for review at a later time with digital recorders or free apps that plug into Skype during a video call.
Immediate Practicing: Long-distance students can practice immediately after the lesson when ideas are fresh and when energy levels are still high.
Warming Up: Students can warm up on their instrument and review their assignment right before their lesson, and have the advantage of playing their own instrument during the Skype lesson.
Increased student performance:Research studies have found that people tend to be very focused when interacting via webcam with minimal off-task distracting behavior during the lesson.
Click THIS LINK to visit Andy Wasserman's PIANO LESSON CITY website dedicated exclusively to his online music lessons!
Visit Andy Wasserman's listing on the international MUSIC TEACHERS DIRECTORY website.
A 2015 testimony from an adult study who takes weekly long-distance private lessons online:
Andy: I want to thank you for the time we've spent together at the piano during our weekly online Skype video chat calls. I've enjoyed listening to the audio I record to document our weekly lessons while driving my car each day. You're really a gifted teacher and although I'm one of your new students, you have already given me a sense of calm, confidence and excitement when playing the piano and/or composing. I'm very thankful to have been exposed to both you and George Russell's "Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization."
CLICK THIS GOLD AW LOGO TO CONTACT ANDY WASSERMAN