---

Learn More About Robert's Experience:

composition (music) To be a composer, you need to have knowledge of music theory, orchestration, and music history. To teach music composition you have to have a background in music theory. This is necessary, because if you cannot notate music, you have no way of recording your ideas and conveying them in a way that others can understand. Notating your ideas allows others to then recreate them way you intend them to be recreated. You have to have an understanding of pitch, rhythm, and harmony and how to manipulate and combine these elements to create the effects you want. All these elements fall under the umbrella of music theory. When composing music, the idea is to have that music performed. To do that you have to choose instruments, which is what we call orchestration. Orchestration is the art of choosing the right instrument for the right job. First understanding the basic workings of all instruments, or at least those you intend to write for, and then the special characteristics and qualities of individual instruments. You must also learn the specifics of how to notate music for those particular instruments. All this falls under the umbrella of orchestration. Finally, to compose, you need to know your history, and understand your influences, and then learn how to grow from them. You cannot create something from nothing. That is a law of science, as well of music, in my opinion. Understanding our past will help us know where we are going and grow as people. The same is true of composing. Study composers of the past to see what made them great and to see how they pushed the boundaries of music to where we are today. This is not to say that you will like every composer that history considers great. I don't, and neither should you. But, you can learn to appreciate what they did to make a mark in history and use that knowledge to find your own way to make a mark. You cannot necessarily teach someone to compose music, because there is no one way to write music. It is an art. Like painting, you can show someone great artworks, teach them brushstrokes and techniques, and give them a canvas and paints, but you cannot "make" someone into an artist. If a student has the fire to create something, within them, I can give them the tools and techniques they will need to bring that creation to life. That is what a composition teacher can do, and that is what I offer. drums I am a percussionist. I have played for over 10 years now. I have a B.A. in Commercial music and I am certified in Insrumental Music Education by Tennessee and Louisiana. I was in Marching band through 6 years of high school. Through college Percussion was my primary instrument. I performed with the Centenary college jazz band, concert band, orchestra, and percussion ensemble. I am not a set player. If you wanna learn how to be in a rock band, you can do that just by listening to cds and playing along. If you wanna be a percussionist, which is what district and state honor bands and college scholarship committies like, then I can help you. Mallet percussion and timpani are my strong suit. I can teach basic snare work and playing. I can teach four mallet melodic percussion technique. I have my own vibraphone and can teach pedaling and dampening techniques. I can also teach improvisation if someone is interested in jazz vibraphone. I can teach timpani technique. I love to play and I love to teach. I can teach up to beginning college level playing. voice (music) I am a singer. I am classically trained, although I can teach techniques that apply to any style of singing. I have a B.A. in Commercial music. I was certified in Music Education K-12 by TN and LA. I've been a choir director for over 4 years. I've performed with the Centenary Camerata, Shreveport Opera Chorus, Music City Community Chorus, am a member of the Nasville Opera Chorus, and have performed solo recitals as well. If you're looking to be the next American Idol, I'm probably not your guy. But, if you wanna be the kinda of voice student that gets into district and state honor choirs and is interested in college scholarships, then I'm your guy. Or, if you just wanna improve for your local church choir. I love to sing and I love to teach. I'm comfortable teaching up to beginning college level singing. Don't be fooled by the rest. Not everyone who can perform can teach. Nashville is home to thousands of over-priced vocal coaches, who actually have very little traning. With me you get an qualified teacher, at a resonable rate.