“How would it feel to be able to play an instrument right now?”

Awesome! That’s the usual answer. Imagine the amazed look on your friends and family’s faces if you picked up your instrument right this instant and started playing yours and everyone’s favorite songs with no effort whatsoever. That would feel awesome!

Even for someone with no prior musical experience our easy to follow instruction makes learning uncomplicated and fun – pretty much effortless.

Every instructor is committed to finding the approach that works best for each person, and is patient and encouraging. Students can work at their own pace so they never have to feel stressed out.

Pick the style of music and songs you want to play. Whether it’s songs from the Rock Band and Guitar Hero video games, classical, jazz, blues – you name it, we’ll teach it.

All Ages

We offer programs for kids through adults

All Skill Levels

Instructors are qualified to teach beginner to advanced students

All Styles

We teach all styles of music so you get to choose what most interests you as a student.

GUITAR       PIANO      BASS      VIOLIN      VOICE     WOODWINDS       BRASS       DRUMS

SCHOOL BAND INSTRUCTION

Jazz Band    Orchestra    Marching Band

Rancho Palos Verdes—Palos Verdes Estates—Rolling Hills—Rolling Hills Estates

What we can do for you:

At Peninsula School of Music, we are dedicated to providing our students with the best possible learning environment.

Our highly knowledgeable teachers are committed to finding the approach that works best for each individual.

Instruction is on a one-on-one basis.

Whether a student just wants to learn enough to have fun playing a few favorite songs, or is an aspiring professional, our instructors will develop a customized music lesson plan especially tailored to fit their specific musical needs and interests.

Our instructors include university graduates, as well as working professionals with many years of performing, recording and teaching experience.

Guitar Lessons  http://theguitarschool.com

These are some of the guitar styles our instructors teach at Peninsula School of Music's Guitar School.

Modern Rock — R & B — Campfire Guitar — Country — Pop — Folk — Blues — Gospel — Swing — Rockabilly — Funk — Punk — Classic Rock — Metal — Reggae —  Ska—  Classical — Jazz — Fingerstyle Guitar

We believe that the majority of students get more out of their lessons, and progress at a much faster rate if they can learn the styles of music that they love. Every student is taught the same fundamentals in regards to music theory. The only difference is, is that one person may be taught their "do re mi's" with their favorite rock band while another may learn the same basic theory, but with Mozart.

For The Intermediate to Advanced Student:

Beyond the basics, many guitarists feel that they aren't progressing fast enough in their knowledge and playing abilities; or that what they've learned seems scattered and unrelated.

With special emphasis toward the self-taught guitarist, our more advanced instruction is designed to "fill in the gaps."

Blues, rock and jazz improvisation; performance skills, and practical music theory are the order of the day.

Topics include improvisational techniques, scales beyond the pentatonic/blues scales, phrasing, chord progressions, progressive scale techniques, left and right hand technique, triads, arpeggios, intervals, advanced chord forms, rhythm, scale and chord theory, definitions, transposition and musical styles.

Bass Lessons

All of the guitar styles are also taught on the bass. Everything in the "For The More Experienced" applies equally to the more advanced bass student. Slap bass, Funk, Jazz/Blues walking bass are popular styles among bass students. Our bass students are taught to interact with drummers and guitarists. Emphasis is placed on the ability to create bass lines and grooves.

Peninsula School of Music, South Bay School of Music and Long Beach School of Music Piano Programs

All piano students at the Redondo Beach location South Bay School of Music, Long Beach School of Music and Peninsula Music are assisted in developing and working towards musical goals.  Following are programs which are available for students in the piano program at the school:

Peninsula Music, South Bay School of Music and Long Beach School of Music Piano Recitals
Quarterly recitals in front of a warm and receptive audience of other students and their families provide a non-threatening

opportunity for piano students of all ages and ability levels to perform.  Regular recitals (held in both Redondo Beach and Long Beach locations) are wonderful opportunities which keep even the most timid students on track towards their musical goals.  All students are given thorough instruction on memorization of piano pieces, practice routines at home, recital dress, behavior and performance practices before giving their first "public" performance.

Music Teachers Association of California - Long Beach and South Bay Branches
Eligible classical and jazz piano students may compete for scholarships and other honors offered by the Music Teachers Association of California's South Bay / Redondo Beach and Long Beach branches.  Music Teachers Association -South Bay and Long Beach branches offer a range of competitive and non-competitive opportunities for student growth. Following are just some of the programs which are available:

Certificate of Merit
Southern California Junior Bach Festival
Music Teachers Association Branch Recitals
Composers Today
Improvisation Celebration Festival
Adult Performance Seminar
Sonata / Sonatina Festival
Solo Piano / Concerto Competition

High-achieving piano students may also be invited to perform at the annual Music Teachers Association State Convention. Extremely exceptional piano students may audition for Young Artist Guild (YAG) and Young Composers Guild (YCG) through the Music Teachers Association (see www.MTACLB.org to find out more about YAG and YCG).

Southwestern Youth Music Festival (SYMF)
Piano students with strong performance skills (age 7 - 25) compete in the annual Southwestern Youth Music Festival.  This extremely popular event draws over 3,400 students each year from all over Southern California to compete for prizes in piano, strings, woodwinds and vocal divisions.

National Piano Guild Auditions
All eligible piano students participate in annual National Piano Guild Auditions.  This venerable program began in the 1930's and is popularly known as "National Piano Guild".  Guild "Auditions" are sponsored by the National Guild of Piano Teachers division of the American College of Musicians, and are held by appointment only in selected locations in the Redondo Beach / Long Beach areas May through June of each year.  

Piano Teachers at The Piano Program
Our piano teachers are members of the Music Teachers Association of California, the National Guild of Piano Teachers (American College of Musicians), and Southwestern Youth Music Festival, and are well-versed in the curriculum and performance requirements for National Piano Guild, Southwestern Youth Music Festival, Certificate of Merit, and other above-mentioned programs.

Music Theory Tutoring for all Instruments

Tutoring for AP music theory students is offered at Peninsula School of Music.

Some Topics Covered:

key signatures, scales, chord progressions, chords triads-13ths, arpeggios, intervals, advanced chord voicings,

rhythm, scale and chord theory, definitions, eartraining, sight-singing, modes

We also offer tutoring for beginning music theory students.

Home

Preschool music lessons:

Group classes for preschool children are offered throughout the year. Call for the schedule. 310-377-2600

ABOUT THE LESSONS

Your lessons are on a once a week basis, on the same day, same time, and with the same instructor. Usually they are 1/2 hour long, but one hour lessons are available.

The lessons are one-on-one, so the instruction is based on the students progress.

We don't do group classes, unless it is the pre-school type classes, but we can accomodate two family members simultaneously (father & son, two siblings, mother & daughter, etc.) with one instructor and offer a discount. As well, there are free workshops and jam sessions open to all students currently enrolled.

We still don't charge a registration fee but require new students to come in and register before starting lessons.

We supply the majority of guitar and bass instructional material at a very low cost to the student, so you don't have to worry about finding and buying books and materials. Click Here for information on Getting the Most Out of Music Lessons

Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday, 2 - 9 PM Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM - 6 PM

Note: Alternate lesson times are sometimes available depending on individual instructors schedules. Call us with your specific time requests.

RATES

1/2 hour = $28 = $112 per month (four weeks)

1 hour = $56 = $ 224 per month (four weeks)

NOW REGISTERING FOR Fall & Winter 2009

310-377-2600

Time slots are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Why Sign Up for Music Lessons Today?

Ask yourself these 3 questions:

1. "How would it feel seeing your child learn to play a musical instrument?"
2. "How much joy will playing music will bring to your child throughout their life?"
3. "Is it better to start now or keep putting it off?"

Playing music is a productive, educational activity that contributes to the development of intellect, motor skills, self-esteem and discipline. 

Not to mention that it is a creative activity, making better use of time than the internet and most importantly FUN! 

There is limited availability as our amazingly popular instructors fill their schedules fast. Call now and reserve your slot for Piano, Guitar, Drums, Voice, Bass, and Woodwinds.

Autism Spectrum Disorder and other special needs students

In the last 10 years our instructors have had many opportunities to work with special needs children, especially those with autism spectrum disorder.

Our music schools are run with the philosophy that all students are not alike and should be educated in the way that is most helpful to the student; that group or classroom instruction is not as individualized as most students need in order for them to achieve the greatest success; and finally, that all instruction should be on a one-on-one basis so as to fully focus on a students specific needs and interests.

This customized approach to teaching fits the special needs students since no one program or approach will benefit all students, special needs or not. One-on-one music lessons in a regular music school environment are an opportunity for these students to participate in a mainstream activity without the distraction of other students in the room.

Long Beach School of Music owner Mark Fitchett giving a lecture at the Autistic Society of Long Beach

Some of our instructors have taught for Pedriatic Therapy Network's "Camp Escapades" held at Seaside Elementary School in Torrance.

Here are some of the reasons more parents and students choose our music schools:

Why Take Lessons?

Music & The Brain

All Styles Taught
The student gets to choose the kind of music they want to learn.

Recitals: Jazz, Rock & Blues
We have our very own "School of Rock." For our student recitals we put together a professional band, borrow a venue, and put together a program of student performances on a Sunday afternoon. This an ongoing event up to four times a year. As well, we do smaller informal in-studio recitals for the less experienced students. These recitals are open to all instrumentalists as well as vocalists. Typically, our shows have a wide variety of musical styles. It is not unusual to hear for example, a heavy metal song followed by something jazzy then followed by a blues number. The students get to choose the music they want to perform. (Click Here for a typical set list)

Recitals: Classical
We also have various levels of piano recitals throughout the year.

Instructional Material
The school supplies the guitar and bass students with the necessary material for a low fee, so there is usually no need to buy any extra books.

Workshops

We are presenting weekend workshops throughout the year. Some of the planned topics include:

Guitar effects; what they are and how to use them
Playing in a jam band (click here to see video)
Soloing technique

Improvisation
Styles

Piano Technique

Jamming The Blues

Summer Camps

Instructor and Guest Performances

The instructors perform small informal shows to expose the students to different styles of music. Other musical guests (subject to availability) will also perform.

Jam Sessions

For the intermediate to advanced students; this will be an opportunity to get together with other student musicians and play. All students are welcome to come and listen.

Consultations

There are instructors available (in person or by phone) if students need extra help on their assignments.

Variety of Programs

Flexibility in Teaching Styles and Methods
There is more variety of music taught at our schools compared to most music schools.

Some of the styles we teach include:

Fingerstyle Guitar — Modern Rock — R & B — Campfire Guitar — Country — Pop — Folk — Blues

— Gospel — Swing — Rockabilly — Funk — Punk — Classic Rock — Metal — Reggae — Ska— Classical — Jazz

Great Location & Atmosphere

Experienced Instructors
Our instructors have excellent professional and educational backgrounds. References and backgrounds are available upon request.

Specialties That Include:

Reading Music (standard notation and tablature)
Writing Music
Composition
Improvisation
Styles
Songwriting
Music Theory
Technique
Rhythm Styles

Rock Summer Camps

Homeschool Music Programs

INSTRUCTORS

Instructor: Mark Fitchett    more about Mark

Teaches: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Banjo, Composition, Improvisation, Rock School Summer Camp
Styles: Jazz, Blues, Rock, Country
Specialties: Jazz Chord Melody, Fusion/Metal Jazz, Standard Jazz, Music Theory Tutoring (all instruments)
Locations: Redondo Beach, Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes

Instructor: Joe Kennedy

Teaches: Piano, Improvisation

Styles: Jazz, Blues, Rock, Country

Specialties: Music Theory Tutoring (all instruments)
Locations: Redondo Beach, Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes

Instructor: Lisa Kato

Teaches: Piano, Improvisation

Styles: Classical, Pop, Jazz
Specialties: Music Theory Tutoring (all instruments)
Locations: Redondo Beach, Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes

Instructor: Dan Krier

Teaches: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Ukulele, Improvisation
Styles: Jazz, Blues, Rock, Country
Locations: Redondo Beach, Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes

Instructor: Leeora Kronen

Teaches: Piano, Improvisation
Locations: Redondo Beach, Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes

Instructor: Greg Alban click here

Teaches: Drums & Percussion
Locations: Redondo Beach, Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes

Instructor: Stephanie Pickard

Teaches: Guitar, Rock School Summer Camp

Styles: Rock, "Shred" Heavy Metal
Locations: Palos Verdes

Instructor: Chris Price
Teaches: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bass`Guitar, Rock School Summer Camp
Locations: Redondo Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes

Instructor: Russell Lollis

Teaches: Electric & Upright Bass & Guitar
Locations: Redondo Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes

Instructor: Leslie Sharp

Teaches: Piano & Vocals
Styles: Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop

Specialties: Music Theory Tutoring (all instruments)
Locations: Long Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes

Instructor: Chuck Turner

Teaches: Piano & Guitar
Styles: Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop

Specialties: Music Theory Tutoring (all instruments)
Locations: Redondo Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes

Instructor: Terje Lie

Teaches: Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Trumpet, Guitar
Styles: Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop

Specialties: Music Theory Tutoring (all instruments)
Locations: Redondo Beach, Rancho Palos Verdes

Instructor: Jeff Perez

Teaches: Drums & Percussion
Locations: Rancho Palos Verdes

Instructor: Allan Ellis

Teaches: Vibraphone, Drums & Percussion
Locations: Rancho Palos Verdes

Instructor: Storm Rhode

Teaches: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Improvisation
Styles: Jazz, Blues, Rock, Country
Locations: Rancho Palos Verdes

Guest Artist: Gary Ferguson

Teaches: Drums
Styles: All
Locations: Rancho Palos Verdes

Check out Gary with Larry Carlton & Steve Lukather

PENINSULA SCHOOL OF MUSIC—SOUTH BAY SCHOOL OF MUSIC

LONG BEACH SCHOOL OF MUSIC—GUITAR SCHOOL

Serving Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates,

Redondo Beach, San Pedro, Torrance, Lomita, Long Beach