Garret Fernandez
Piano Lessons with Specialized Instruction from University of Jamestown Educator




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Garret Fernandez
Bachelors degree
/ 55 min
Garret - Your piano teacher
Teaching piano is more than just a profession for me — it’s a lifelong passion and a way to share the joy, beauty, and depth of music with others. I bring kindness, patience, and years of experience to every lesson, and I strive to create an environment where students of all ages and backgrounds feel supported, inspired, and truly heard. I’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of students ranging in age from 3 to 80. Each person comes with their own story, learning style, and musical goals, and I believe in meeting every student exactly where they are. Whether you're playing your very first note or returning to the piano after many years away, I’m here to help you grow at your own pace and in your own direction. I am classically trained and deeply in love with the music of the Classical, Romantic, Impressionistic, and Modern eras. My teaching draws from this broad range of styles, and I often help students explore the expressive language of composers like Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, Ravel, Prokofiev, and many more. My lessons go beyond technique — I aim to help students develop a sensitive ear, a deep understanding of musical structure, and a connection to the emotional world of the music. If you’re looking for a teacher who is experienced, gentle, supportive, and deeply committed to helping you grow as a pianist and musician, I’d love to work with you. Whether your goal is to master the classics, write your own music, or simply enjoy playing for yourself and others, I’m here to guide and encourage you every step of the way. Let’s begin this musical journey together.
Garret graduated from University of Jamestown


Your piano teacher skills
Pedaling Techniques
Chord Theory
Piano Technique
Ear training
Rhythm and Timing
Piano Repertoire
Scales and Arpeggios
Finger Placement & Hand Position
AI modules
Summary
Podcast
Quiz
Learnings
Flashcard
Spotlight
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1-yr validity
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Types of learners for piano lessons
Piano for kids
Piano for adults
Piano lessons at a glance
My teaching style is rooted in clarity, patience, and a deep respect for each student's individual learning path. I approach piano instruction with the belief that every student deserves a strong technical foundation, a comprehensive understanding of music theory, and the encouragement to develop their own musical voice. At the core of my teaching is a commitment to building solid technique. From the very first lesson, I emphasize posture, hand position, finger strength, and freedom of movement. I believe that good technique is not just about playing faster or more accurately—it’s about physical comfort, expressive potential, and long-term health at the piano. I help students become aware of how they use their bodies while playing and guide them toward efficient, relaxed movement. Scales, arpeggios, chords, and etudes are essential tools in my curriculum, but I make sure they are not practiced in isolation. Instead, I show students how these elements connect directly to the pieces they’re working on. Theory is woven into every aspect of my teaching. Rather than treating it as a separate subject, I integrate it into our work with repertoire, technique, and improvisation. Whether we’re looking at a Mozart sonata or a modern composition, I guide students to recognize patterns, harmonic progressions, formal structure, and motivic development. Understanding the architecture of a piece helps students memorize more easily, play with greater confidence, and make more informed interpretive decisions. Above all, I want my students to develop a lifelong relationship with music—one that includes curiosity, discipline, expression, and joy. I meet each student where they are and support them every step of the way.
Different types of piano lessons
Piano
Grand Piano
Digital Piano
Upright Piano
Classical Piano
Electric Keyboard

Piano concepts taught by Garret
The Student and Tutor worked on two piano pieces, 'Classic Dance' and 'Young Hunter', focusing on note reading, establishing correct hand positions, rhythm, dynamics, and chord recognition. The Tutor guided the Student in creating a note cheat sheet and assigned practice for both songs with specific attention to counting, staccato, balance, and scales (C, G, D).
Musical Expression (Staccato & Dynamics)
Reading Music by Direction (No Skipping)
Determining Hand Position (Finger Numbers & First Notes)
Counting & Rhythm (Time Signatures & Accent)
Music Notation Cheat Sheet (Clefs & Mnemonics)
Student and Tutor covered several piano concepts, including practicing the E scale and learning the B major scale with specific left-hand fingering. They worked on the song "A Hole in the Bucket," focusing on correct left-hand positioning and legato playing. The session introduced chord inversions using C major and began working on a new song, "Black Socks," which involved reading notes, understanding hand movements, and navigating repeat signs. For homework, Student is to polish and speed up "A Hole in the Bucket" with legato, practice the new B scale, and get a hands-together idea of "Black Socks," also focusing on counting and repeats. Student expressed interest in learning the "Minecraft" main theme next.
Major Scales Progression & B Major Uniqueness
Chord Inversions (Root
First
Second)
Legato Playing Technique
Sheet Music Navigation & Reading
Left Hand Bass Clef Reading & Position
The Student and Tutor practiced C and G scales, focusing on proper hand posture and consistent tempo. They reviewed the song "Sailing in the Sun," with an emphasis on counting and maintaining a steady beat, and began working on "The Haunted Mouse," identifying notes and chord shapes. For homework, the Student is to perfect the C and G scales hands together and learn the new song "Classic Dance," paying attention to fingerings and staccato markings.
Piano Scales: C and G Major
Essential Piano Hand Posture
Maintaining Tempo and Counting Rhythms
Note Reading: Treble and Bass Clef
Piano Chords: Basic Shapes and Identification
Articulation: Staccato vs. Legato
Student and Tutor worked on piano scales, specifically reviewing the A scale and introducing the E scale. They extensively practiced the new song "Hole in My Bucket," focusing on right-hand dynamics, left-hand accuracy, and hands-together coordination. For homework, the Student was encouraged to practice the song, incorporate a new counting method for all scales, and review previous material from the red book.
Mastering Major Scales through the Circle of Fifths
E Major Scale: Structure and Practice
Enhancing "Hole in My Bucket" with Technique and Dynamics
Cognitive Load Reduction for Hands-Together Play
Adopting a Growth Mindset for Progressive Learning
Student and Tutor focused on practicing piano pieces, primarily "The Entertainer" and "Whispers in the Wind." They worked on musicality, dynamics, and articulation, specifically addressing left-hand octaves and playing without looking at the keys. The Tutor assigned the C two-octave scale as a warm-up for upcoming material.
Mastering "The Entertainer": Octave Technique & Articulation
Strategic Practice: Counting as "Ankle Weights" & Pulsing
Essential Piano Technique: Playing Without Looking
Advanced Warm-ups: Two-Octave C Major Scale (Hands Together)
Student and Tutor worked on piano technique, reviewing A and E scales, and focusing on the piece 'There's a hole in my bucket.' They practiced right-hand note accuracy, rhythmic counting with dynamic emphasis, and introductory left-hand bass clef reading. The Student was assigned to practice the E scale, continue refining 'There's a hole in my bucket' with hands together, focusing on counting, dynamics, and playing without looking at their hands.
Musical Phrasing and Cadence
Effective Practice Strategies
Scales and Chords Practice
Dynamic Balance and Hands-Together Coordination
Bass Clef Note Reading & Left Hand Position
Rhythmic Counting and Dynamic Emphasis
Approach & tools used in piano classes
PDF Sheet Music Libraries
Ear Training Software
Chord & Scale Reference Apps
Piano Tuner Apps
Looping Software
DAWs
Interactive piano lessons
Parent feedback
Weekend lessons
Open Q&A
Record lessons
Note taking

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