James Cortright

Experienced tutor helping for grade improvement

4.6(157)

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Profile photo of James, Music tutor at Wiingy
Profile photo of James, Music tutor at Wiingy
Profile photo of James, Music tutor at Wiingy
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James Cortright

Bachelors degree

/ 55 min

About your music teacher

I've dedicated my life to teaching music, while constantly improving my abilities as a teacher and musician. For over 15 years of work experience I've taught lessons and ensembles, learned from some of the best teachers, and remained a life-long student of music pedagogy. My education includes a 4 year Bachelor's degree in music, and a 2 year certificate in audio technology. I've won first place as a performing member and a teacher with ensembles in world class international competitions, and received perfect scores in competitions as a soloist. Through all of this, I've learned that each student is a unique and special musical mind that requires adaptability from a teacher who has mastered their craft, but still has the ability to make the material understandable to a complete beginner. Thank you for reading this and considering taking lessons with me!

Your music teacher expertise

Electronic icon

Electronic

Folk icon

Folk

Pop icon

Pop

Film/Movie icon

Film/Movie

Metal icon

Metal

Jazz icon

Jazz

Hip-Hop icon

Hip-Hop

CoTutorCoTutor

AI modules

Summary

Podcast

Quiz

Learnings

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15-days refund

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1-yr validity

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Learner types for music lessons

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Music for kids

Music for intermediate icon

Music for intermediate

Music for beginners icon

Music for beginners

Music for advanced icon

Music for advanced

Music for adults icon

Music for adults

Music lessons at a glance

My teaching methodology is based on a combination of studying a variety of music education techniques such as Orff, Kodaly, and Suzuki, while also learning from first hand experience teaching thousands of students. I believe that there is no one right way to teach music, but instead it is best to have a large tool kit and extensive background of knowledge to draw from based on the needs of any individual student. From beginners to advanced, from elementary age to adults, there will always be some creativity and flexibility involved in how I go about conveying the information that will help a student learn about music and improve their abilities on their instrument. I incorporate lessons from all areas of the subject of music including music theory, history, and ear training, while drawing from a variety of styles including classical, jazz, and folk.

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Expert in developing musical techniques

Breaks down complex techniques for easy, effective learning.

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Trusted by 95% of parents

Parents observe tangible growth in their child’s musical talent.

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Interactive feedback for performance

Students receive real-time feedback to enhance their music practice.

Types of music lessons

Music Production

Music Production

Music Composition

Music Composition

Sight-Reading

Sight-Reading

Digital Audio Workstation

Digital Audio Workstation

Music Mixing

Music Mixing

Mashups

Mashups

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Music concepts taught by James

Student learned about 11 hours ago

Student and Tutor worked on various piano scales, including single-octave scales with sharps and flats, two-octave scales, and two-octave arpeggios, discussing specific fingerings and underlying music theory. They also practiced three pieces: a Bach Minuet, 'The Wind in the Willows,' and a Beethoven Sonata, focusing on musicality, dynamics, and structural analysis. Follow-up includes continued practice of all discussed technical exercises and pieces, with the tutor providing a summary and new arpeggio fingering notes.

Navigating Complex Repertoire: Sectional Practice & Stylistic Nuances

Performance Polish: Musicality & Practice Strategies

Expanding Range: Two-Octave Scales & Arpeggios

Scales Mastery: Black Key Challenges & Fingering

Chord Progression Fundamentals: Roman Numerals & Scale Degrees

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Student learned 15 days ago

Student and Tutor practiced various piano scales, focusing on fingerings and black note keys. They reviewed music theory concepts including major and minor chords, chord identification, and inversions. The Student also practiced three repertoire pieces: the Bach Minuet, Wind in the Willows, and Moonlight Sonata, receiving guidance on performance consistency, musicality, and navigating specific technical and theoretical challenges. The Tutor advised on deliberate practice, mental preparation, and utilizing reference materials for continued improvement.

Developing Aural Recognition and Musical Phrasing

Optimizing Hand Positions and Fingering for Complex Passages

Achieving Performance Readiness: Mental & Physical Strategies

Triads and Inversions: Identification & Application

Comprehensive Piano Scales: Fingering & Practice Strategies

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Student learned 22 days ago

The Student and Tutor reviewed and practiced piano scales, arpeggios, and chord progressions from the Circle of Fifths (C-E major, B major) and introduced the Circle of Fourths (F major). They also worked on repertoire pieces including the Bach Minuet in G, "Wind in the Willows," and Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, focusing on refining technique, musicality, and strategic practice methods. The Tutor discussed providing materials for two-octave scales and encouraged independent practice of identified challenging musical segments.

Mastering Major Scales: Circle of Fifths & Fourths

Chord Analysis & Inversions in Repertoire

Deconstructing Music into Voices

Efficient Repertoire Practice Strategies

Advanced Notation & Fingering Principles

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Student learned 29 days ago

The Student and Tutor reviewed three piano pieces: Bach's Minuet in G, "Wind in the Willows," and Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, discussing dynamics, stylistic interpretation, and effective practice strategies. They also practiced fundamental scale, arpeggio, and chord progression exercises in C major and G major, with the Tutor introducing the Circle of Fifths for transposition. The Student's homework is to practice the first five keys of the Circle of Fifths for the fundamental exercises.

Repertoire Management & Performance Confidence

Dynamics and Articulation Across Musical Eras

Effective Practice & Handling Mistakes

Chord Analysis for Memorization and Understanding

Fundamentals: Major Scales

Arpeggios

and Cadences

The Circle of Fifths and Fourths

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Student learned about 1 month ago

Student and Tutor had an introductory piano session where they discussed the Student's background, goals to strengthen music theory, and overall piano technique. They practiced major scales, arpeggios, and chords, delving into the theoretical construction of scales and chords, including inversions and a chord progression. The Tutor suggested practicing these fundamental exercises in all twelve keys as a future learning objective and offered to share materials.

Rebuilding Music Fundamentals

Major Scales: Construction & Fingering

Arpeggios & Basic Triads

Major and Minor Triads: Construction & Sound

Chord Inversions & Slash Notation

Cadences and Chord Progressions

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Student learned about 1 month ago

Student and Tutor engaged in a comprehensive piano lesson focusing on jazz improvisation and theory. They reviewed the student's performance of a Debussy piece, discussing musicality and rhythmic density. The session also covered essential jazz concepts such as scale-chord relationships, 2-5-1 voicings and licks, and the structure of jazz performances, with follow-up recommendations for ear training apps and learning songs by ear.

Solo Piano Arranging Techniques

Ear Training for Jazz Musicians

2-5-1 Chord Voicings & Licks

Jazz Scales & Their Characteristics

Flexible Chord Voicing for Smoothness

Jazz Solo Piano Musicality & Flow

Standard Jazz Form & Improvisation

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Teaching tools used in music classes

Backing Track Libraries image

Backing Track Libraries

Vocal Warm-Up Apps image

Vocal Warm-Up Apps

Recording Apps image

Recording Apps

Vocal Range App image

Vocal Range App

Metronome spps image

Metronome spps

Pitch and Tuning Apps image

Pitch and Tuning Apps

Looping Software image

Looping Software

Interactive music lessons

Note taking icon

Note taking

Parent feedback icon

Parent feedback

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Chat for quick help

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Record lessons

Weekend lessons icon

Weekend lessons

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