Joshua Linde Piano Studio
BIO
Joshua Linde is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. After interning at MAFM during high school, he continued his studies as an apprentice focusing on improvisation and composition. He is now an instructor at MAFM where he teaches piano, guitar, banjo, and ensemble. He lives in Holland, MI with his wife and daughter.
PHILOSOPHY
Joshua’s goal is to provide a holistic approach to learning music through the piano. While part of this includes music literacy and technical mastery, equally important is developing the student’s ability to improvise and create music freely. By practicing this, students can exercise their own creativity and grow in their understanding of (and appreciation for) music as a whole. Over time this will lead to a strong foundation to build upon as the student develops his or her musical interests.
Joshua enjoys working with both young and old, total beginners and more serious students. Here are some things you can expect to learn and grow in depending on your current level of experience:
Beginner levels
Basic music literacy, sight reading, and repertoire development
Proper technique (learned through finger exercises, often taught by ear, that help develop good technical habits as well as get you making music from lesson one)
Rhythmic embodiment (through a variety of tapping, clapping, and stomping exercises at the piano)
Basic solfa
Basic understanding of harmony (such as triad chord structure in common keys)
Introduction to improvisation and composition
Basic ability to play with others, such as piano duets with teacher or siblings
Intermediate levels
Growing repertoire of music that can be played from memory (combining music of various styles and forms including classical, jazz, hymns, etc…)
Development of improvisational skills (how to follow song forms, fluency in different keys, ability to creatively manipulate scales and chords, etc…)
Development of compositional skills, including counterpoint study and musical analysis
Deeper understanding of major, minor, and dominant 7th chords, voice leading, bass motion, etc…
Strong rhythmic foundation (through rhythmic exercises and creative metronome practice)
pricing / location / scheduling
25 minute lesson: $30; 50 minute lesson: $45
Teaches at Michigan Academy of Folk Music, 451 Columbia Ave Holland, MI 49423
Email: jplinde04@gmail.com to schedule
testimonials
“We have had three children who have taken lessons from Josh so far and I can enthusiastically vouch for his skills! He is patient and kind, making the lesson a time they look forward to. He is also highly skilled musically and technically, making it a situation with incredible growth potential for our kids. He has high (but not unrealistic or frustrating) expectations which stimulate growth in our musicians. He communicates well with us about logistics and is a pleasure to work with. All in all, we love everything about working with Josh as a teacher!”
“Josh is an incredible teacher! He clearly has an extensive knowledge of piano theory and technique and he does a great job explaining everything in a way that is very easy to understand. One thing Josh did that I really appreciated was asking me what my goals were at our first lesson so that he could shape our lessons in a way that would best benefit me. I 100% recommend him to anyone looking for a new piano teacher regardless of their level of experience with piano.”
“Joshua has made Vera’s first year of piano lessons a joy. He is kind and patient, teaching a variety of skills. From simple songs to basic note signing to canons with cord accompaniment. Vera has stayed engaged and is eager to practice each day. Joshua is obviously a gifted pianist and great at working with children.”