What We Teach
| All Half Note Instructors have music degrees,
substantial performance experience or both. The school
currently offers guitar, voice, electric bass, piano,
sax, and the Kaleidoscope children's program. In addition,
essential elements such as Song Writing, Ear Training,
Music Theory and Performance Preparation are available.
If you are seeking instruction in an area not listed,
please contact us with your needs. |
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"I'm not just learning the technical aspects
of reading music, I'm learning how to feel and express
the emotions the composer intended to communicate.
My instructor has taught me how to turn notes into
a personal expression of my own emotions and feelings,
and that, I believe, is the true measure of a great
musician."
- Elliott, Half Note Student |
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General Music Classes
Music Theory This class is designed for students
who want more music theory than that which is taught in lessons
(or just a slower look). This affords the student the luxury
of progressing at a comfortable pace and the flexibility to
gravitate towards whichever specific discipline is most needed.
We can start with “This is a note” or “Let’s reharmonize
this melody in a different key.” Contact the studio and
tell us about your musical background (formal and informal)
as well as any musical goals you may have.
Song Writing The Song Writing program is for people
who may have musical ideas and are not sure how to get them
into proper musical form. This program is also popular for
people who have written lyrics but do not know how to set
them to music. Students are exposed to traditional techniques
but are also encouraged to develop a personal song-writing
style. Contact the studio and tell us about your musical background
(formal and informal) as well as any musical goals you may
have.
Improvisation is designed for students who have already
acheieved an itermediate level on their instrument. We will
work with you to further develop your improvisational technique.
Kaleidoscope is a program for children where they are
given an opportunity to experiment with different instruments.
This class is designed for children who are not quite ready
for private instruction but would benefit from receiving basic
musical skills. For more information contact us at info@halfnotestudio.com.
You child will have fun reaching for their musical potential!
Ear Training is one of the most important skills in
musical development and should be a part of any musical curriculum.
This course offers various aspects of ear training skills
such as, sight-singing, pitch recognizition and recall, call
and response, and harmonic anaylsis.
If you do not see your instrument listed please contact us
for up to date availability. Please send us email at info@halfnotestudio.com.
School Director, Jack Dowdell
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Jack first played the guitar at age 13 and began formal
training at age 16. At 17, he began teaching kids in his
NY neighborhood. After 3 years under the tutelage of Richie
Hart in New York, Jack transferred to Boston's Berklee
College of Music where he studied composition and arranging
with a concentration in guitar. He eventually changed
his major to education and transferred Northwestern Louisiana
where he earned a Bachelors degree in Vocal Music Education.
While studying at Northwestern, Jack also served on the
faculty of the Department of Continuing Education teaching
guitar.
Upon graduation, he was hired by the San Antonio School
District to teach Guitar Studies, Music Theory and Direct
Choral Activities. All the while teaching private guitar,
he enjoyed a successful career in the public school system
spanning grades K-12 within 3 districts. Also during that
period, Jack assumed the post of Choral Director for St.
John Neumann Church. While employed there, he had the
opportunity to write arrangements that were performed
during Mass. May of 1992 was the debut of Jack's composition,
Mass in B flat. This work, performed entirely in Latin,
was written for and dedicated to Father Robert Silverman
on the occasion of the celebration of his Silver Jubilee.
In his own words: "I enjoy teaching
music for the challenge. Each student has an individual
learning style by which they can be reached. Determining
and subsequently implementing the teaching approach that
meets their learning style is the challenge I most enjoy.
Regardless of students’ preferred musical styles, each
must be given the tools to reach their goals. Students
should be given a balance of tasks that challenge the
student in varying degrees." |
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