Welcome to my teaching page. You're probably interested in lessons on piano, organ or guitar or you wouldn't be here.
I know most people like to take their lessons at a convenient location and time. I teach out of my studio here on the Westside of Santa Cruz, not far from the Almar Shopping Center at Mission and Younglove.
In general, I offer lessons at times convenient to the student. For kids,
that's after school in the afternoon and on Saturdays. For adults, I try to accommodate their schedules with week-end and late afternoon lessons.
My main interest is teaching motivated students. I do this by finding out what you want to play and helping you reach that goal. I don't have a set program, I customize each lesson to the student. This makes it better for the student and more fun for me.
A little about me:
My name is Steve Czarnecki, and I've been a professional musician for over 35 years.
I've performed in many venues, from small clubs to major jazz and blues festivals. I was the pianist at Pebble Beach for 8 years, and have performed many times at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center. I've put out several CDs and written two instruction books published by the Mel Bay Company, a major music instruction publisher. Locally, I've played as the accompanist for the vocal groups at Mission Hill and Branciforte middle schools, Santa Cruz High, and Cabrillo College.
I'm currently in my 10th year as music director at the Circle Church in Santa Cruz.
I'm also a graduate of Stanford University and have a Certificate of Proficiency in Digital Publishing from Cabrillo College.
Contact Info:
Steve Czarnecki
Phone: (831) 345-6902
E-mail: stevecz_soul-jazz.com
Piano
Piano is often called the king of the instruments. It is the best one for the study of harmony and is prominent in various styles. Jazz, blues, rock and classical music can all be performed completely with melody and harmony on this instrument. You can learn to read music on it or, if you wish, learn to play it completely "by ear". I can teach it either way depending on the style the student is interested in. Generally I've found that each individual has a natural bent toward one or the other methods of learning, and I try to capitalize on that person's natural inclinations.
Here are a couple examples of me on piano:
Piano lessons are $30 for a half hour lesson. These are usually once a week to insure some continuity. These are the best for younger students.
For beginning students 12 and under I charge $25.
For adults I also offer 45 minute ($45) and hour long ($60) lessons. The hour long lessons allow time to go into more depth and are sometimes taken once every other week since more is covered. It depends on the student, but these tend to be more for adults and highly motivated individuals.
Guitar
Guitar is one of my favorite instruments. It allows you access to harmony but also has more expression with each individual note than does the piano. It's used obviously in rock and blues, but also in jazz, all styles which use a pick to strike the strings. It also has a long tradition in folk music, classical and flamenco, where a nylon string instrument is used and the strings are sounded with the fingers.
Here I am on guitar (and piano):
I teach both finger style and plectrum (pick) style. I also specialize in jazz guitar played with the pick. While guitar is usually played improvised or "by ear", I've found that the ability to read music on the instrument has real advantages and I encourage students to master that skill.
Guitar lessons are $25 for 1/2 hour lessons and $35 for 45 minute lessons.
Organ
The organ is a somewhat unusual instrument. While it has keys like a piano, they don't respond to a stronger attack with a louder sound; the notes will continue to sound at the same volume while the key is depressed, and won't decay as will those on the piano. It also adds a whole other dimension to playing when the pedals are used, allowing you basically to play with your feet. There are no other pitched instruments that can do that.
I play organ at the Circle Church on Sundays, but my real interest is in jazz, rock, and blues. I'm willing to show you the key to this overlooked instrument in these styles. There is a lot to be learned about tone production with the drawbars, the use of the expression pedal and playing the pedal board which can only be done on the real thing. I have a Hammond Organ at my studio.
Here I am with some organ examples:
Organ lessons are priced the same as piano; $30 for a half hour, $45 for 45 minutes and $60 an hour.
If you have a Hammond organ clone, we can optimize its sound as well if you bring it to the lesson.
