Use music technology to create your own music. (CURRENTLY SUSPENDED DUE TO COVID-19)
The Creators class is designed to help kids create their own music using technology and music theory, and is open to both So i Heard students and non-students. Instead of producing cover songs as they did in the Makers class, Creators are taught to create their own songs! This weekly class is great for kids who aren’t quite ready for the band program, but who would benefit from a group class in addition to their private lessons.
Using technology, students can quickly make music that sounds just like all of the music recordings they love. Students will learn why the music theory they learn in their private lessons is so important!
Do you have a student who is having a tough time maintaining consistent practice? Maybe they are not sure if they even like music? Or, do they love music so much that they can’t get enough? This class is perfect for them! A weekly private lesson combined with a group class experience of creating music with their friends is an invaluable tool to keep kids engaged in music lessons and creativity.
Fill out the form below or call the studio to find out more about how to enroll!
SiH Creators use technology to learn about chord progressions and how they sound. Creators will recreate recordings of their favorite songs using their new music theory skills, and get a chance to write their own progressions!
Technology Is Motivation
Consistent with So i Heard Music's core education philosophy, technology is important because kids have fun when they are using technology. When kids have fun with music they want to practice to get better. Without practice, our time spent in private lessons is wasted!
Meet New Friends!
Our makers & creators end up forming friendships that stay with them into our SiH Live Program when they form Bands. Music is a social art form, and the earlier we start socializing with other musicians, the easier it will be to form a connection in a band setting.
Meet Our Creators Teachers
Diego
Bussenius
Teacher
Berklee Online
Piano, Guitar, Bass, Music Production
James Yancey
James Jamerson
Paul McCartney
Tom Jobim
Herbie Hancock
My love for music began at a young age when my father would share his love for funk music with my brother and I. He loved the music of groups like Parliament and Jamiroquai and it rubbed off on me at a young age.
In my teens I would teach myself how to play different instruments through instructional books/DVDs from the public library and playing in bands with friends; but I had been studying for a career in architectural design. After high-school, I felt that my heart was completely in music, so I abandoned architecture and got a job to pay my way through Berklee Music for Music Production.
Since graduation, I have been recording local acts from Rock, Pop, to Hip Hop and investing all the revenue back into the studio. This has taught me many valuable lessons about the entire music production process; from having the first idea of a song to officially releasing it to the world and every step in-between.
My Approach To A Typical Lesson
While teaching music lessons, my main goal is to cultivate a love for music that carries through the years. Like English conveys ideas, music is a language of emotions, and I hope to instill the desire to speak that language to all my students. By flexing our creative muscles through constant creation, the theory and the technicalities become a goal for the student to facilitate the expression of music they feel inside.
My Advice For Students
To learn any language we must immerse ourselves in the world of that language. My advice is to immerse into the world of music by listening, studying, practicing, and playing as often as we can. We become what we do, so if we play music everyday, we are music.
My Favorite Local Places
So i Heard Music, and not just because I work there! It's honestly a very inspirational place to see all my colleagues and their pupils achieves so much.
Besides that I'd say my house.
My Music
I am currently establishing a record label where all my future projects will live. Stay Tuned!
www.protunerecords.com
Jeremy
Freeman
Teacher
Wesleyan University
Piano, Guitar, Drums, Bass, Music Production, Music Theory, Songwriting
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Steve Wilson
Radiohead
The Strokes
The Punch Brothers
I graduated from Wesleyan University in 2018 with a degree in Music. I have always been obsessed with rock music, and after playing classical piano for several years as a kid, I began to dabble in guitar and drums at age 13 after becoming inspired to pursue music from my obsession with Guitar Hero and Rock Band. After playing guitar, bass, and drums in several pit bands and rock bands throughout high school and college, as well as studying and performing a variety of music ranging from avant-garde jazz to West African music at Wesleyan, I pushed my composition and songwriting abilities in my senior year of college. Working with a 13-piece band and performing on guitar, bass, mandolin and vocals, I wrote a progressive rock concept album, arranged it for performance, and recorded and released it as the capstone project for my music degree.
Since graduation, I have been playing lead guitar in my band, The Racquets. We have written, recorded and released our debut EP, and have been supporting it with performances in New York City. My music experience also includes interning in marketing and publicity at several major labels, sound designing a short film, performing for students with cerebral palsy and starting a music program at an after school program and camp.
My Approach To A Typical Lesson
While music lessons traditionally focus on memorizing pieces and drilling scales, my lessons focus on developing students' music theory skills, instrumental technique and practice approaches, so they can take on musical challenges with confidence. These skills are then guided towards songwriting and composition on instruments and in recording software. My goal in teaching is to help students discover a passion for music, provide them with the tools to explore their creativity, and above all, have fun!
My Advice For Students
Practice regularly (frequent, rather than lengthy practice) - Playing music is like learning to walk or talk. The more days you pick up your instrument, the better you will get! Even if you only play for a few minutes each day, you will get really good! Remember that music is supposed to be fun! Even exercises that seem boring can always be turned into fun creative opportunities!
My Favorite Local Places
The Great Swamp near Morristown.
The Orange Reservoir (next to the Boathouse and Turtle Back Zoo)
The Wellmont Theater in Montclair (where I saw my first concert).
My Music
I play lead guitar in an indie/garage rock band called The Racquets. Our band started at Wesleyan University, playing intimate house shows to college kids. Since graduation, we perform in New York City and have recorded and released our debut EP, The Racquets, which can be found on Spotify and most other major streaming services.
I also wrote and recorded a rock opera with a friend for my senior capstone project at Wesleyan. Lyrically, the album is from the perspective of a person exploring the highs and lows of friendships, as well as the role that speech plays in all of this. The album was designed to be heard as a whole, in order of the track list. The instrumentation is vast, containing vocals, guitar, bass, drums, piano, synthesizers, electronic production, mandolin, violins, violas and cellos. This album can be found on Spotify and most other major streaming services as well.
Sam
Morgan
Owner, Teacher
Berklee College of Music
Piano, Guitar, Music Production, Music Theory, Songwriting
Jimi Hendrix
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Underoath
Modern Baseball
Manchester Orchestra
I am one of the owners and founders of So i Heard Music, but I am a teacher at heart. I started playing guitar when I was 5 years old, picked up piano when I was 8, and by the time I was in Middle School I knew that I wanted to go to college to study music. It has been my passion ever since. I grew up listening to classic rock, which evolved into hard rock and metal music by the time I was in high school. In college I fell in love with hip hop and classical music, and as a teacher I've fallen in love with pop. I really do love EVERY type of music.
I started So i Heard Music to give kids in my community the music lesson experience I wish I had growing up. Our studios and hi-tech approach are unparalleled in the industry. I am passionate about teaching beginners, and watching them grow from somewhat curious to head-over-heels obsessed.
My Approach To A Typical Lesson
I am all about making sure the student has fun! I can teach the same techniques using a Justin Bieber song that I can teach using Mozart or Beethoven. My goals in a lesson are always to keep the student interested, and make sure they are having fun!
My Advice For Students
Practice as often as you can. Frequency is so much more important than individual session length.
My Favorite Local Places
The Woodland in Maplewood, NJ
Goldbergs Deli
Millburn High School
The Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, NJ
My Music
Having spent most of my adult life teaching, my original music is mostly old projects from my playing / performing days.
I recorded an EP with my rock band in college, "Attack The City." (fun fact: Sean Killary, the other owner of So i Heard played guitar in that band!)
I also recorded on and helped arrange another EP for my late friend Paul Adler called "Pius."
Jacob
Feldman
Teacher
Ramapo College of New Jersey
Piano, Guitar, Music Production, Songwriting
The Interrupters
Halestorm
Jimmy Eat World
The Lonely Biscuits
Lord Huron
I'm a passionate rock musician with a specialty in guitar as well as music production. I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Music Production and Industry from Ramapo College in 2019. My prior experience includes touring the country with my band Callout as well as recording 2 full studio albums. While my speciality is guitar, I have a passion for music theory and the piano as well. My philosophy for teaching is making learning music both fun as well as informative through various interactive methods. I believe that a strong foundation in music theory, combined with the excitement and passion for learning an instrument is what leads to a knowledgeable and well rounded musician. In my lessons I highly encourage learning the basics of music theory while reinforcing these concepts through learning songs as well has a various assortment of technical and musical exercises.
My Approach To A Typical Lesson
Each of my lessons are broken down into three parts, technical warm ups and exercises, music theory, and learning songs that you want to learn. I begin each lesson with a technical skill to help improve your technique and overall understanding of the instrument. We'll then move into a small section of music theory for each lesson. I strongly encourage learning the basics of music theory as it opens a world of possibilities for your instrument. Lastly, we'll work on songs that you WANT to learn so that you can feel comfortable in your own musical improvement and be able to show others what you've learned.
My Advice For Students
You can learn absolutely anything on any instrument as long as you PRACTICE and STICK WITH IT. The first few months of learning something new can be frustrating, but is incredibly rewarding in the long run. It's important to practice consistently each day, even if it's not for a lengthy amount of time. Learning how to be a good guitarist comes from training both your ear and your hands. Practicing consistently will help build muscle memory and eventually, playing your instrument will become second nature.
My Favorite Local Places
I love the local venues around New Jersey, especially Starland Ballroom, Boontunes, and Allstar Music Empire.
My Music
Responsive collapse (by row)
I've written two records and have performed around the country with my band Callout.
Carmine
Fusaro
Teacher
University of Delaware / SUNY Buffalo
Piano, Drums, Music Theory, Songwriting
Billy Joel
Elton John
Ben Folds
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Beatles
I graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor’s degree in music-education and Minor in Jazz Piano. While at the University of Delaware, my main concentration was drums/percussion. I studied drum-set, classical percussion, latin percussion and even steel pan! Most recently I earned a Master’s degree from SUNY Buffalo in music-education. My master's degree focused on Music Learning Theory which is an explanation of how we learn when we learn music.
Based on an extensive body of research and practical field testing by Edwin E. Gordon and others, Music Learning Theory focuses on the teaching of audiation, Gordon’s term for hearing music in the mind with understanding. Through the Gordon Institute for Music Learning (GIML) I hold certificates in teaching both Instrumental and Early-Childhood music. As an educator, I have taught everything from Kindergarten to High School in many different realms such as Band, Marching Band, Percussion Ensemble, Orchestra, Choir, and General Music.
My Approach To A Typical Lesson
My approach to every lesson I teach is to first and foremost get to know my students on both a musical and personal level. I like to understand from the beginning what my student's goals are and what they want to get out of studying music. When it comes to studying music, there are many different directions one can go in. Thus, I find it essential to be on the same page with my students from the very beginning.
My Advice For Students
I would encourage prospective students to consider what their interests are and what goals they want to achieve by studying music. I would also encourage students to make music with others in one of our band programs as soon as they feel comfortable doing so!
My Favorite Local Places
I'm a huge fan of being outside and specifically being outside at the beach in the summer months. I frequent Long Beach Island in the summer and enjoy relaxing on the beach as well as boating and fishing!
My Music
I have a YouTube page for some of my performances as well as one for my teaching examples. The performances vary, but mostly highlight my abilities in drums/percussion. My teaching examples highlight what I have done while teaching General Music.
Aaron
Geusic
Front Desk, Teacher
Kean University
Piano, Guitar, Drums, Voice, Music Theory
The Beatles
Patternist
Queen
Ben Platt
The Moody Blues
I am currently finishing up at Kean University studying Music Education. My primary instrument is voice but I am a multi-instrumentalist who is proficient in guitar and piano as well. I have had various experiences performing both solo and in groups including but not limited to multiple performances with the Woodbridge Community Players (shows include West Side Story as a Shark, Little Shop of Horrors as Seymour and Cabaret as Herr Schulz), The Kean University Choir, and with my band "The Wednesdays." I teach voice, drums, music theory, beginner piano, and more!
My Approach To A Typical Lesson
My typical approach to teaching lesson's is as follows: I would greet the student, ask about their week and lead them in a short physical stretch. After stretching would be a short five minute warm up. At this point I would either introduce a new piece or review old music, having the student sing through the piece and making mistakes along the way. When finished, I would pinpoint any particular sections giving the student any trouble.
My Advice For Students
The one way to improve on your instrument is to practice everyday! It may seem impossible but all it takes is 10 minutes a day! You must be willing to put in the work to achieve greatness!
My Favorite Local Places
New York City in any theater
M Uncle's front porch
My Basement studio
My Music
Aaron also performs in a band called "The Wednesdays." Their music can be found on Spotify.
Rob
Fragnito
Teacher
The Collective School of Music
Piano, Guitar, Drums, Voice
The Beatles
Radiohead
Beethoven
Miles Davis
John Bonham
I am a multi-instrumentalist specializing in Drums, Piano, Guitar, Voice, and Music Production. I have been playing drums since I was 12 and piano since I was 8. I have performed in many different bands as a drummer, keyboardist and songwriter/singer. I have a lot of experience performing on stage and working in recording studios. I graduated from Music College in a degree in performance and music theory. I have been teaching for many years and love to share my passion and knowledge with my students.
I have studied many different genres. From jazz and rock to classical and funk. I personally like to combine all styles and create music that is interesting and innovative. Also, having a good beat and catchy melody is most important! I think it's important to be influenced by many different styles and sounds. I look to instill this in my students and encourage them to think outside the box and explore different types of music that they normally wouldn't listen to.
My Approach To A Typical Lesson
Whether you're a beginner or experienced I like to start slow and get a sense of the instrument. We do this through fun warmups! For me it's all about music so I also try to get a sense of what kind of music the student enjoys. Listening to songs and understanding what the musicians are doing is a great way to becoming better at your chosen instrument.
My Advice For Students
Remember music is all about having fun. Relax, it's okay to make mistakes. Actually making mistakes is the only way to get better.
My Favorite Local Places
Rockwood Music Hall
Newark Museum
Smalls Jazz Club
QXT's Night Club
The MET
My Music
I currently play in a band called Moon Rabbit Retreat. If this doesn't showcase my skill set,I don't know what will. In the band I play drums, keyboards and sing. It's easier than it sounds!
I can't believe my child is already writing original songs! So Cool! The iPad technology really helps motivate and excite her to keep learning more about music theory and chords so she can make her original compositions even cooler! Love my little creator!
[ SiH Creators Parent ]
Let Us Know You're Interested!
Fill out the form below and someone from our front desk staff will call you as soon as possible to discuss options for enrolling in our Creators class.
