Private Lessons

PRIVATE LESSONS

Josh offers private in-person half-hour or hourlong sessions. If you are interested in lessons please email jkaufmanlessons@gmail.com for more information and pricing.  Focus is on popular music of all kinds - pop, rock, soul, funk, country, Americana, alternative, r&b, Broadway, some jazz, etc., basically everything other than classical.  So, if you're looking for formal classical preparation, then you would do best to look elsewhere.  However, if you'd like to focus on anything related to popular music - singing, playing, playing and singing together, performance and presentation, songwriting, reading chord charts, playing by ear, music theory, ear training, recording and music production, etc. - there's a good chance Josh can help.  All instruction will be tailored to your needs with the ultimate goal of helping you to maximize your abilities so that you can perform and create the very best music you're capable of producing.

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workshops

*No workshops are currently scheduled. Below are descriptions of past workshops.

VOCAL WORKSHOP

This workshop will be focused on vocal technique and stylization in popular music - pop, rock, soul, jazz, musical theater... just about anything other than classical. On the more technical side, we will address, among other things, breathing, moving through vocal registers, and keeping the voice healthy. We will also cover a variety of vocal exercises intended to help maintain and strengthen the voice. Moving beyond the technical, we will then delve into vocal stylization. Using the recordings of well-known accomplished singers as frames of reference, we will discuss tone, placement, movement between pitches, pronunciation, phrasing, and an array of other vocal stylization techniques. Finally, all attendees will have an opportunity to sing a prepared song and receive constructive feedback.

SONGWRITING WORKSHOP

This workshop will focus on the art and process of songwriting. Using songs by some of the great modern songwriters as reference points, we will explore a variety of ideas and concepts related to writing music, writing lyrics, and fitting the two together. Topics discussed will include, among other things, song structure, chord progressions, melodies and hooks, poetic devices, and lyrical topics and content. Attendees will have the opportunity to get feedback on their own existing work, as well. And although there will not be sufficient work time to write and complete an entire song, we will spend some time creating and all should come away with some musical and lyrical beginnings upon which to build. The workshop will also be a great opportunity to meet other young writers to trade ideas with and possibly collaborate with in the future.

MUSIC PRODUCTION WORKSHOP

This workshop will cover the basic element of music production for musicians and songwriters. Specifically, it will focus on the steps involved in taking a completed song and turning it into a high quality recording. We will begin by looking at instrumentation and arrangement, considering such topics as simplicity vs. complexity, melody and counter-melody, harmony, and the interplay of different timbres, tones, and textures. We will then move on to the recording process, covering such subjects as live vs. “in-box” instruments and sounds; mic-ing techniques; outboard gear vs. software; using eq, compression and effects; and the basics of mixing and mastering on your own. Attendees will have the opportunity to present and receive feedback on their own work, as well. And the workshop will provide a great opportunity to meet young musicians interested in production to bounce ideas off of and possibly collaborate with in the future.

a note FROM JOSH:

"I love to help aspiring musicians improve their skills. Vocals, guitar, keys, music production, recording, songwriting, performance- I’ve worked in a lot of different areas and I always enjoy having the opportunity to pass along what I’ve learned. Kids or adults, individuals or bands, I’m up for helping whomever I can however I can. Just let me know.”