Michael Smolens

Michael is a one of a kind teacher. His ability to get to the heart of the matter with clever analogies is uncanny. I have been studying with him for about three months now and have been stretched enormously by his teaching. No teacher before has ever delved this deep into what it means to be a practicing musician. His three-​part practice log is an invaluable tool that I am only just starting to get the hang of. For a musician who is looking to clear up their misconceptions, develop a practice routine, and make a commitment to a lifetime of playing, Michael will get you there.

I have just started taking piano lessons with Michael (and was learning from a student of his before that), and I can’t imagine learning to play any other way. After taking lessons as a child for several years, and forgetting most of what I knew, Michael’s approach was a breath of fresh air, and one I wish I had learned the first time around. With an emphasis on posture, breathing, mechanics, and rhythm, it has really forced me to take a look at how I’m playing, and has greatly strengthened the foundation on which my training is being built. I would highly recommend him to anyone who is just starting out, or to experienced musicians looking to improve their skills.

Michael’s lessons have been the most important influence on my musical development. I first contacted Michael with the intentions of learning piano, gaining a basic knowledge of music theory and improving my music composition skills. He has completely customized my lessons to help develop those skills and so many more. The areas we cover include: ear-​training, music theory, composition, arranging, music analysis, music literature, keyboard technique/​improvisation, vocal technique, and project management. We also investigate the creative process itself, which I find to be particularly interesting. Over the course of a few months with Michael I have already seen a huge amount of progress. I highly recommend his services to anyone looking to improve themselves musically.
I should also mention that Michael has a very impressive body of musical and written work — it’s worth checking out. His works have been a big influence on my own art, and it’s been quite the privilege to analyze some of his compositions with him.

I’ve taken piano and voice lessons with Michael for more than 5 years. In that time, I’ve seen enormous improvement in multiple areas, including (but not limited to): technique and dexterity, composition, improvisation, and theoretical understanding of music, across a range of styles (jazz, rock, pop, latin, gospel, classical, folk, etc). In addition, Michael’s skill as a teacher gave me the confidence and thorough understanding to be able to become a piano and vocal instructor.
Unlike any other piano or vocal instructor I’ve had, his teaching not only gave me the ability to play at a much higher level, it helped me establish methods for learning and teaching that will no doubt stick with me for my entire life. He absolutely furthered and enriched my career as a professional musician – an invaluable gift. I can’t thank or recommend him enough.

Michael’s musicianship and teaching ability are both impressive. His versatility and ability to cover everything from technique to theory to performance to arranging and composition allow you to develop every area of interest. He can break down technique and identify mechanical issues you didn’t even realize you had. He can dissect an arrangement and suggest how to rework a section and help you find just the right voicings to make a passage zing just the right way. He’s also able to act as a one-​man rhythm section by playing bass and drums, so as a pianist like me who doesn’t otherwise get the opportunity for trio playing, it’s a huge benefit. Michael has a great depth of experience to draw on to help you develop whatever aspects of musicianship you’re looking to pursue.

He did a great job for my grandmas funeral. Dressed appropriately worked great with our singer. Did a great job picking out songs to play as people walked in and left. I would recommend him for sure! Thank you Michael.

The lessons cover all aspects of musicianship, from the theoretical to the practical. Using his practice method has helped me get off my current plateau and I’ve seen great improvement in my musicianship and practice regimen. The method provides a framework and I can see how I can utilize it to become self-​sufficient, to go from being held accountable by him about practicing to holding myself accountable. I’ve also learned a lot regarding the practical aspects of being a musician: band leading, client relationships, gigging, lifestyle.
Michael draws from his considerable experience to troubleshoot problems, answer questions and address concerns. He applies the right pieces of knowledge to my specific situation. It’s been an eye and ear-​opening experience. And while his teaching of the technical aspects is undoubtedly masterful, what he teaches about the bigger picture of music, and life, is of even greater value.

I’ve been working with Michael for over a year now. I had signed up for singing lessons, and having taken lessons throughout my life (including a vocal performance major in college) I can say with confidence that he is one of the best teachers I’ve had the pleasure to work under.
For starters, I never EVER used to practice. Like so many people, even though I love music and love singing, I would always wait until the day of my lesson to cram in as much as I could before heading off hoping to trick my teacher into thinking I’d managed to put some real time in. Michael is the only teacher whose approach has actually gotten me to practice on a regular basis! That in itself is a miracle, at least for me.
Secondly, I’ve had a sort of love/​hate, on again/​off again relationship with music my whole life, and most of my teachers have had a fairly limited, 30-​minute-​session approach, which doesn’t leave any time for talking things out. I really needed a teacher who could double as a music therapist, and Michael is the only teacher I’ve ever worked with who’s been able (and willing!) to take on that role. That’s invaluable. He has been compassionate to my experience every step of the way, willing to hear me out and guide me through my own moments of fear or frustration, with absolute kindness and support, and best of all no bull****.
Last but most definitely not least, Michael isn’t just giving me singing lessons. He’s also working with me on music theory, helping me improve my compositions, teaching me some piano, and even sharing a drum session or two. Not to mention that he is shaping my potential bandleading skills — it’s always been my dream to lead a band that performs some of my originals — and I’m sure that when I get there, he will be able to help me with marketing, managing, producing and recording. I know his skills are sound, because they stem from his own personal experience, and there’s nothing like a successful musician to teach you the tricks of the trade!
People look at me like I’m crazy when I tell them I drive an hour each way from San Jose to his Oakland studio just for my lessons, but let me tell you, Michael is well worth it!

We recently hired Michael for a 40^th Anniversary bash. He put together a great combo that perfectly fit our needs and wowed everyone who attended. He understood exactly what we wanted for the changing mood of the various parts of the celebration. Cool jazz to swinging dance numbers. The highlight came when he performed our request for Paul Stookey’s «Wedding Song» (from our wedding so long ago). As he was singing, a spontaneous circle dance formed, and as we all communed together, he beautifully kept the song going and going. He and his group fulfilled our every expectation and more. Michael you are a real pro — a five star guy for sure.

Michael did a fabulous job at our open house event. This was an evening event for business professionals to showcase the opening of Laptop Lounge, the new business lounge in Walnut Creek. It was attended by business professionals and members of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce and City Council.
Michael arrived on-​time, set up quickly and efficiently, then wowed the room with his wide range of skills and unique combination of sounds. He can adapt easily to any situation and reads the room very well to keep the right sounds flowing at the right times. His sound is lush and remarkably complex considering he was hired as a one-​man band that night. His advanced equipment let’s him keep the sounds coming. At one point, I heard him playing and singing, even though he was momentarily away from the equipment. He had used a digital loop to keep the music going.
I have hired Michael before and know he is a musical wealth of resource regardless of the type of event you are planning.

I am in a much better position as a performer after working with Michael Smolens. I originally contacted Michael to learn vocal technique, but what I am learning from him goes far beyond that. From the finer points of bandleading, to marketing myself as a teacher, to discussing more effective practice strategies, Michael is helping me develop every aspect of myself as a career musician. As hard as it is to make a living as an independent artist, the skills and tools that Michael is arming me with give me confidence that I can make it work.

I hired Michael for my son’s first birthday party, which we held in our backyard. Michael brought an impressive collection of huge, gorgeous African instruments, plus a loop recorder, mic, amp, and flute, and once he got set up, he was a delight to listen to. The kids were really into it – a bit too into it, perhaps, as Michael (understandably) tried to keep the curious crawlers off his valuable equipment.
So my only suggestion for a future kids’ party with Michael would be to have him also bring maracas, drums, or other not-​so-​precious props for curious tots to shake, pat, and perhaps suck on (a practice with which Michael is undoubtedly familiar, given that he’s been involved with Music Together) during his performance, such that everyone can interact a bit more with Michael and his music.

I hired Michael Smolens and his superb quartet to play for my wife’s 60^th birthday. They were fantastic. Did jazz, latin jazz, classical jazz. Just terrific. If you want a great liver performance for your function, I couldn’t recommend Michael Smolens any higher.

It’s hard to know where to begin when trying to describe Michael’s musicianship — he does so many things, and does them all so well. In every area of his music, he has golden ears and precise attention to detail.
I’m studying vocal improvisation with him and loving it, but he could as easily teach me composition/​arranging, the foundations of North Indian classical raga singing, Western classical piano technique, jazz piano improvisation, drumming, hand percussion, or music production. And for all I know, lots of other stuff too.
I admire his confidence as a teacher in combination with personal humility and willingness to listen. I see him as setting a course for me as his student with clear vision of where I could go, but attentiveness and flexibility as I give feedback about how the journey is going, and what’s working for me and what’s not.
Earlier this year I sang a full-​length house concert of South American popular and folkloric music. He was a joy to work with as my piano accompanist: rehearsing with clear focus and preparation, taking critiques without any defensiveness (and interpreting them when I didn’t have the vocabulary to be entirely clear), giving critiques that were consistently useful and in service to the music, and creating rich improvised accompaniments in a musical genre that was relatively unfamiliar to him. He’s like an orchestra at the piano.
My sense is that Michael is the sort of person who by nature focuses on details, building up to the big picture. Since I have the same tendency, sometimes we can get over-​focused when loosening up and making broader gestures might be more productive. But there is nobody more exciting if details are your thing! Each session with him is like going down into the mine and discovering endless jewels.
This guy is the real deal: an artist, a master craftsman, and a spiritually disciplined, thoughful listener — someone well worth getting to know.