Jazz and Classical Piano Instructor - Janet Somers

Gelb is happy to offer Monday lessons with Oakland-based pianist Janet Somers, an experienced teacher whose students have gone on to play gigs, study at conservatories and even garner local press attention. Mostly, though, her students are playing for their own enjoyment and fun.

Janet specializes in teaching jazz and classical piano to teenagers and adults with some musical background, but she also welcomes younger beginners who express a desire to play. Many of her accomplished students started with her as beginners.

Instruction

Janet tailors lessons to her students’ tastes, encouraging musical exploration while instilling basic knowledge and skills. She has taught interested students boogie-woogie, pop and even religious music in addition to the core curriculum of jazz and classical music.

Instruction includes classical repertoire from Bach to Bartok; improvising and playing from a fakebook; music theory (intervals, chords, and rhythmic concepts); ear-training (understanding what you are playing and hearing); jazz repertoire from traditional blues to Miles Davis; and a technique geared towards speed, mellow tone and tactile connection to the piano. Although learning to read music is necessary, Janet emphasizes listening, hearing, and playing by ear whenever possible.

Background

Janet has been teaching full-time since 1994, when then-Stanford jazz-department head José Bowen chose her to take over his private teaching practice. She holds a B.A. in Music from U.C. Berkeley and has studied with some of the world’s great classical and jazz pianists including Enrique Barenboim (father of Daniel) abroad and Bruce Barth in New York. Although she now devotes most of her energy to teaching, Janet plays occasional gigs, has been the house pianist in a few Bay Area jam sessions and has performed with local notable players including bassists Bill Douglass and Herbie Lewis.

Lesson Rates - current as of March 2005:

1 hour: $63
45 minutes: $50
Half-hour: $35 (for beginners only)

If you are interested in private lessons you can contact Janet directly at (510) 653-6783

You can also contact us here at the Gelb Music Teaching Institute where our receptionist is on duty from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday-Friday at: (650) 365-0875

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