Lessons Offered
Flute, Guitar, Keyboard, Music Theory, Piano, Saxophone
Where are Lessons Offered
In Teacher Studio
Virtual / Online
About Me
I have been teaching music for over 20 years. In addition to private lessons in my studio and online lessons, I also conduct after school music programs at these local schools:
University of Memphis Campus School
Incarnation Catholic School, Collierville TN
CTK Lutheran School, Memphis TN
I also perform regularly in the Memphis area with a variety of bands.
In addition to private lessons, I also offer group lessons for home schooling groups or any other organized group. Although I enjoy working with adults and advanced students, young students and beginners are a specialty for me.
My main instrument is the piano or keyboard, but I can also teach beginners on guitar and woodwind instruments. I also have considerable experience teaching children in small ensembles including Orff ensembles and beginning rock or pop groups.
For adults I can teach improvisation, theory and how to turn chord charts into music. I have years of professional experience performing RnB, rock, pop, jazz and other styles.
My Musical Education Background
Bachelors degree in music composition from Texas A&M at Commerece TX with a minor in piano.
Masters degree in music composition from University of Memphis with a minor in music theory.
Certified in Orff Music at University of Memphis.
Genres and Subjects Taught
Piano
Electric Keyboards
Music theory
Jazz theory
How to turn chord charts into music.
Improvisation
Group lessons for children and home-schoolers.
Rock and pop groups for kids
Guitar up to an intermediate level, and saxophone and flute for beginners.
Lesson Rates
Private lessons:
Half hour - $25
Hour - $50
Group lessons:
Half hour 2 students - $30
Half hour 3 students - $40
Half hour 4 students - $50
Hour 2 students - $60
Hour 3 students - $70
Hour 4 students - $85
Ages / Skill Levels Taught
Piano - 8 years old and up
Guitar - 10 years old and up
Group keyboard lessons - 8 years old and up
My Certifications and Awards
Orff certified 7-29-05
Grant from the Fayette County Education Foundation for "Ensemble Music for Children" - 2005
Service Area
Student Reviews
C. W
Cordova, TN
Mr. Sanders is definitely a five star review for me. I’ve been taking piano lessons with him for around 5 years now, once a week, and the amount i’ve learned not just about piano, but music as a whole is incredible. I love not feeling the pressure that some teachers put on you. They seem to think if they do this then their students will learn better or something...? Anyways, Mr. Sanders is just an easy going guy that during lessons you learn as much as you could ever want AND you have a lot of fun. Now to me, that’s pretty hard to find in a music teacher. From the beginning, he doesn’t teach your child -or you for that matter- all of the boring theory for years until you play real songs. He just starts you on songs and teaches you the theory as you go, and as you need it. In my opinion, that is amazing. I’m not forced to do tons of schoolwork in a music lesson that should be fun. Instead, I get to play the songs I want. This kind of leads me to say: the music he picks out for his students is well... picked out specifically for those students. If you like pop? You got it. You like rock? You got it. Jazz? You got it! Whatever kind of music you like, you learn. Not only does he teach songs and theory, but he also teaches making music with chord charts and doing improv with scales. Look. He’s got everything you need: Qualification, good personality, amazing teaching, and huge bang for your buck. Oh yeah, did I mention that the piano lessons were so good that I started taking guitar and saxophone lessons 3 years ago? Anyways, now I can play piano extremely well, I am very advanced at saxophone and can play all four main saxophones, I can play guitar, and now I can play flute. So yeah, John’s lessons are pretty good. Do yourself a favour and use his lessons.
Lena M
Collierville, TN
Mr. Sanders is my 8 year old son's first guitar teacher. My son tends to be shy and trying something new can be a stretch for him. Mr. Sanders has been very encouraging and has kept the experience fun for him. We're very pleased to see him excited to continue with his lessons.
Anonymous
Germantown, TN
John is teaching my children piano without the stress of "piano lessons." I feel he is very responsive to their pace of learning and understanding when we've had a busy or distracted week. If you want your kids to "stick with it," I believe he does a great job of helping the kids learn music without the pressure like some other teachers.
Cody E
Olive Branch, MS
Cool easy going guy definitely recommend taking lessons from him. I play the piano he has taught me everything I know. Sticking with it
Andrew
Memphis, TN
Our daughter has benefited tremendously from lessons with John Sanders. Not only has she increased her skills and abilities but she loves to play the piano. He carefully chooses music that she enjoys. She practices the piano regularly because he motivates her to grow as a musician.
Carole
Memphis, TN
My daughter has been taking piano lessons with Mr. Sanders for a number of years. He is always prompt and professional. He has superior musical abilities and a love for music that brings joy to our family every week.
Barbara
Collierville, TN
My 5 year old daughter has been taking piano lessons with Mr John for the last couple months and not only she makes tremendous progress each week but also truly loves it and can't wait for another lesson. Mr John is a very experienced music teacher and has great knowledge of child psychology, he knows how to motivate kids and quickly picks up on their strengths and weaknesses. I highly recommend him.