Fred Knapp Music Studio
Accepting a limited number of private students on piano and/or drumset
Piano:
I love working with children and find that the best age to start them is
between five and seven years of age, depending on their level of maturity .
There is noage limit, so it’s never to late to start. So, for those of you
who have always wanted to learn, this is your chance to make it happen.
I enjoy working withbeginner throughadvancedlevel students and
I strive to give them a solid foundation in the skills of sight-reading, theory, and ear-training. I take special pride in instilling in my students a keen awarenessof musical details. These include the use of correct posture,technique, the use of dynamics, accents, and the myriad of other musical symbols that make music jump offthe page and come alive.
I alsoteach jazz piano techniquesto intermediate and advanced players whowish to learn how to improvise and read chord symbols.
Drumset:
As I mentioned above, everyone is welcome to explore theworld of the
drum set. However, it is helpful if the student hashad some basic snare
drum instruction and has access to a drum set. Students will learn to play
different musical styles such as, jazz,rock, latin, and pop. They will also
learn to read music for drum set and gain independence of their limbs
through a progressive study of coordination exercises. I work with students
to expand not just their knowledge of drum set but also of music. I expose
them to forms and phrasingthat they will encounter in playing situations.
Being a full-timeprofessional gives meinsight into what it takes to grow
and to reach a high level of musicianship that I gladly pass on to my students.
Cost: $20 per half hour
Location: Home studio
917 Malta St. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Two minutes from the Fuller Exit on 1-96
2 miles Northeast of downtown.
Education: B.A. in Music Performance with Soc. Minor
from WesternMichiganUniversity.
Piano References:
Joe Winegar/ Ben (616)336-9677
Jennifer Ancans/ Oliver and Alexis (616)363-5744
Rose Conlin/ Nina(616)458-6351
Sherry Schuen/ Brendan(616)774-3331
Drum Set References:
Jerry Claire/David(231)845-1371
Pam and Steve Sorbels/Luke(616)957-7776
Tom Davis(616)361-8124
Recommendations:
Would you ever believe you would need to ask an outdoorsy, athletic 12
year boy to “take a break” from his piano practice?? My experience has
been the opposite with my older two children who took piano lessons.
You take it for granted that you will many times need to gently remind a
beginning student to practice, but our son Ben needs no such prodding.
He has loved working with Fred from his first lesson two years ago, and
has developed a true love of music since then. Fred has instilled a great
foundation in music, plus taken time and energy to incorporate the musical
styles of play (jazz and blues) that our son is interested in. We couldn’t
have asked for a better fit. Last year, Ben decided to take up the bass in
the school orchestra program. I think that the piano background has allowed
him to quickly learn the instrument, and become one the top musicians in the
group. We are very happy with Ben’s progress with the piano, and although
we occasionally do ask him to “take a break”, the music we hear is very nice,
and just gets better and better.
Joe Winegar
Fred is passionate about music and loves to teach his multi-faceted musical
talents to young students. He is patient, creative in capturing their attention,
and gentle in his methods of correction when the correct notes are missed.
Both my son and daughter enjoy having Fred as a mentor and teacher for
piano.
Jennifer Ancans