Videos

lesson 1: Orientation to Harmonium	lesson 2: Intro to Sargam	lesson 3: part 1: further into sargam
lesson 4: further into sargam: part 2	lesson 5: playing a kirtan: ganesha sharanam	lesson 6: warming up your voice
lesson 7: all about chords	lesson 8: playing a kirtan: om namo lakshmi	lesson 9: Rockin’ Rhythms: jaya Ma Durga

Private lessons in the SF Bay Area

Private lessons with Daniel are fun and approachable, and you’ll be playing and singing your favorite chants in just weeks. Each lesson is tailored to the student’s needs and interests, and may involve singing ‘sargam’ vocal warm-ups, exploring chords and scales on the harmonium’s keyboard, and learning a kirtan song from the inside out.

Lessons are an hour long, and are held Tues 1-5pm at the Yoga Loft in San Francisco, followed by a ‘house-call’ slot at 6:30pm, and Wed 12pm-6pm in Daniel’s Berkeley home music studio. Email Daniel to schedule, for current rates, or for any other info. *Please note: Daniel will be in India for February of 2010, and will resume teaching March 1st*

Long-distance learning via Skype

Milwaukee or Manhattan, Canada or Croatia, if you’ve got a harmonium and a web-cam, we can do lessons over Skype! Skype is a free online video-phone service. Check out Skype.com, and email Daniel for more info.

testimonials

“Playing harmonium has deepened my yoga practice in ways I did not expect. My morning practice has been infused with new devotion and feeling. Daniel’s patience blended with attention to detail has given me a solid foundation in how to use the harmonium. I feel lucky to have him as my teacher.” –Jason Nemer, Acro Yoga co-founder

“In just a handful of lessons Daniel took me from being able to play a simple chant to leading a “real kirtan” that takes you through a whole range of feelings and emotions. Before when someone asked me to play, I would feel very shy and reluctant. Now I can play anytime for anyone, which is why I got into it in the first place – to share the joy of music with others!” –Jan Robinson, Tantra Yoga instructor

“Ok, something seriously amazing is happening to me… I caught the bug! I’m writing songs over your melodies and making up my own. I just played an old ghanaian song over the baba hanuman melody and then made up new chords. I made up new chords! Thank you!!” –Debbie Steingesser, SF Yoga Teacher

“Who knew you could play Jack Johnson on the Harmonium? I quickly began playing everything from devotional chants to campfire songs with Daniel as my personal back-up band, encouraging teacher, and helpful guide.” –Tyler Ryan Blank, Ecstatic Dance co-founder and Acro Yoga teacher

“Daniel is a uniquely gifted teacher. Not only do you improve with each session, but his easy going nature is a joy to be around. The lessons feel more like you’re going to hang out with your friend to play music and sing, rather than music practice. I’m not naturally musically inclined so for me having a teacher that can adapt and be creative is very important. I highly recommend his teaching.” –Bill Wyland, Owner Bernal Yoga and yoga teacher

“Daniel is a very inspiring teacher, he is patient and joyful, his music just flows and flows. Learning is fun and simple, I always come out uplifted and grateful. Just after a few months of classes with him, I am now able to play the harmonium when teaching yoga, I love it!” –Charu Rachlis, Yogini Charu yoga retreats

“Daniel is an insightful and generous teacher. His curiosity and sense of humor puts me at ease so I can find the best I have to offer, every time we meet.” –Grace Meyer, yoga teacher

“Daniel’s lessons are always uplifting, educational and fun. I have come so far in a short time thanks to his warmth, energy and talent as a teacher. I look forward to my lesson all week!” –Natalie Bartlett