Just moved to the area. Our moving guys COMPLETELY dismantled our electric drum set, to a state we…read moreweren't familiar with at all. Jake set up an appointment with us (showed up earlier than scheduled, last minute, at our request-THANKS JAKE!) and he completely made sense of all the parts without even using the manual. The guys is experienced, has clearly been around music and instruments for ever. He perfected my kid's set up, gave us some tips around the best sticks to use, and even suggested a successful fix for a broken part of our set. I look forward to booking some rock and jazz focused lessons for my kid in the future with Jake.

Working with Jake was a really great experience. Even though I'm a long time working drummer he…read morereally showed me a lot of new things and helped me get my kit sounding better than I ever could! He also helped me figure out some stuff to buy to help me get the most out of my kit. I really hope to continue working with him. I learned a lot.

Matthew is, hands down, the best music instructor I've ever had, on any topic…read more My musical background - both in theory and technique - is pretty scattered. After college, I decided I wanted to learn the cello, so I searched Craigslist to find a teacher. I recognized Matthew's name from Ifshin's and he had a good review from the Berkeley Parents Network, so I decided to schlep up to El Cerrito (from South Berkeley, without a car, with a large instrument) to attend a lesson. Matthew was able to quickly, accurately, fluidly gauge what topics I understood and which I needed help on, and immediately cobbled together a lesson in which I felt not a single minute was wasted. I came away from that lesson feeling like I'd learned more from him in an hour that I'd learned from other teachers in six months. I was hooked. Since I already had a basic background in music theory, Matthew jumped pretty quickly into teaching me straight from repertoire. Matthew himself is quite an excellent musician - very artistic and expressive - and gives similarly excellent instruction on musicianship. He has the unusual ability of being extremely precise about what he wants you, the student, to do to achieve a given effect. (And is very good at being precise from several different approaches until you have that 'a-ha!' moment.) He's been very patient with me on the days that my head just hasn't been in the game and very persistent in making sure I get something out of those lessons, anyhow. Because of his high degree of achievement in cello and his patience, innovation, and keen intellect, Matthew would probably be a wonderful teacher from everyone from complete novices to seasoned professionals. (He does, in fact, teach both these levels, but I can only speak from my own experience. :P ) I have moved towns twice since I started taking lessons with him and, six years later, he is still absolutely worth the transbay drive.

I am very lucky to have found Matthew as a cello teacher. I started to learn to play the cello as a…read morebeginner since almost a year and can strongly recommend him as a teacher. It has been an amazing experience for me to play the cello ever since I started my lessons with Matthew. He is amazing, extremely patient and explains musical concepts and the cello as an instrument to an adult with great precision. In addition, he has a great ability to communicate and can provide explanations to you that suits perfectly well to the way you can understand, which is essential for learning. He always has an analogy to an everyday movement when you learn a new technique that is a great help. Matthew is a remarkable person and has a great personality. He can combine his understanding of humans with his teaching extremely well. Although sometimes your own performance might not be the best (e.g. because you could not practice enough for the lesson) at each lesson you learn a lot and have a smile on your face after you leave the lesson. What I like the most about Matthew's teaching is that he has an exceptional sense of creativity and tries to unmask this ability in his students.

Highly recommended for both adults and kids. My daughter had such an amazing experience with Jason…read more He is a jaw-droppingly talented professional drummer, a skilled and patient teacher, and a wonderful, down-to-earth human being. Jason didn't just teach my 9-year-old daughter how to play drums, he exposed her to new musical genres and both classic and contemporary songs. I can't stress enough how great he is with kids; he really knows how to make the lessons fun and tailor the experience to individual students and their interests.

I'm going to echo previous reviews as I find them completely accurate…read more I've been taking lessons with Jason for about 6 months now. I'm in my late thirties and have no previous experience with music. I had been wanting to learn to play the drums for a while, but the idea of starting from nothing at this age was daunting. I couldn't be happier that I reached out to Jason. He's really good at what he does. Each lesson plan is well thought out and engaging. He does a great job of explaining the exercises and how they fit into the macroscopic viewpoint of drumming. Jason's an amazing drummer and a kind, genuine human being. He creates a great environment that provides for a safe space to learn, all while challenging you to grow. I highly recommend Jason if you're looking for an instructor. I trust his process and always look forward to the next lesson.

Mike is an incredible instructor. I am an adult learner, and having never played an instrument…read morebefore in my life, I was intimidated to say the least. I've now been with Mike for 4 years. His guidance, patience, and passion demonstrate that it is never ever too late to learn. I've had the chance to meet fellow students - of all ages and walks of life - and Mike does an excellent job of meeting the student at their level and connecting 1x1. Whether you intend to learn for school, fun, or professionally Mike can certainly help guide you and progress at a pace that's comfortable for you.

So glad to see Jim active as he is the best news in progressive jazz modes…read more.. It is so simply put with no charades and judgmental posturing I have encountered before. I passed on my experiences to others who were mystified by some of the rhetoric and needed help with ear training... I was relieved to see how much could be cleared up. His courses helped me communicate better to other soloists in my band.

Jim Grantham writes the books the musicians play. He is "The Source" for Jazz Theory and Practice…read moreand presents clearly, concisely and with precision. He spans a 40+ year career as a player and teacher, and plays with the best. If you are serious about music and love Jazz, study w/ Jim. He's the best!

I have taken guitar lessons with Andrew for about two years. I would be considered an advanced…read moreplayer, and my goal with him was to make my formal jump into jazz, and I chose Andrew's tutelage over other teachers. Andrew is a wickedly talented, extremely knowledgeable, and hard-working studio musician and live player. He really is a true working musician, and honestly the kind of player I always aspire to become. As a teacher, he's been really patient with me, but knows when he should be pushing my musicianship's bounds and limitations. The level of enthusiasm he has for teaching inspires a lot of confidence in the people he works with. I've always recommended my other friends who are both beginning and advanced players to at least try out taking lessons specifically with Andrew, with one friend taking up the mantle and several others trying to figure out a way to make it happen. Andrew has been more than just a guitar teacher and instructor. We would have conversations regarding music, the changing local scene, and the art scene associated with it. Beyond the fret board, theory, chord charts, and sheet music, he would always recommend various artists, music, soundscapes, and people to help enrich my overall learning experience. I highly suggest anyone taking their music and craft seriously to hit him up. Also, support your local musician! Andrew does write his own music and perform regularly around the Bay Area.

I've learned more about music in 3 months of lessons with Andrew than I did in the 10 years I'd…read moreplayed guitar previously. He's patient, enthusiastic and remarkably talented. I really can't recommend him highly enough.

Sam is the third harmonica teacher I've had in the Bay Area, and easily the best. He's one of the…read morerare musicians that has both a strong understaning of music theory and a knack for teaching. As a harmonica player it's been difficult to find teachers that have many years of teaching experience and a love of the harmonica. Sam has both. His lessons are tailored to the student and he finds a balance between having high expectations and being understanding if you don't quite meet them. He is also an exceedingly nice guy and with countless interesting tidbits to share about the history of music that somehow make the lessons challenging yet approachable and engrossing. Sam is also a piano player and teacher, and some of my favorite moments during our lessons have been when he plays the piano and asks me to create something as I play along with him; as someone new to music that creative process is endlessly fun and enriching. Sam is a dedicated teacher and I'm glad I found him!

I've been going to Sam for harmonica lessons for a couple of years now. He is a wonderful teacher…read morewhose ability to combine edification and tongue in cheek humor is rarely matched. It doesn't matter if you can't read music, he will guide you through the steps and teach you to whatever ability you wish to achieve. It doesn't matter if you are tone deaf, he will just turn on the radio to drown you out. It doesn't matter if you don't show up for the lesson, he will still charge you unless you bring a doctor's note. Sam is a wonderful teacher, and you should take a lesson or two if you want to become even just a little more proficient in piano, harmonica or even the penny whistle.

My son has been having great piano lessons with Kevin! I love that he paces his lessons with each…read moreindividual child. Although my son enjoys the piano he also loves to talk and run around. Kevin has been great at keeping my son focused while not discouraging his playfulness, instead using that energy to keep piano fun. That was my biggest concern when starting piano lessons so young for him -- that he may lose interest early on if he gets discouraged -- but Kevin intuitively understands this and is great at keeping the balance between a productive lesson and a fun lesson. My son is 6 and has had no musical training prior to starting lessons but now after 4 months can read notes on the scale, and play some short songs while sight reading. We're doing lessons 1x a week, ~25mins per lesson. Highly recommend piano lessons with Kevin!

This is long due! My boys have been taking Piano with Kevin for over two years now. They had some…read morepiano lessons with a different teacher before, but when they started with Kevin, the immediate improvement was noticeable. He worked on techniques, posture and most important, reading music. Before that, all they played and knew was based on repetition and playing with the keys. I love Kevin's methods, his patience and precision are also great qualities when working with kids. I highly recommend him. He also does recitals, and it's great to see all the kids and the improvements made from one year to the other. His studio is in a great location and during this new time of C-19, he has continue to teach over FaceTime! My kids have not missed one class! Always punctual and enthusiastic. Very professional!