Teaching
For inquiries about private lessons in composition, theory, ear training, and piano, please e-mail: [email protected].
Comments from Recent Course Evaluations at Columbia University and New York University:
"This is the best class I can ever remember being in, in any subject throughout all of schooling. I have never had a better teacher, again in any subject or any stage of development. It is impossible for me to speak highly enough of Ramin Arjomand, who made this class what it was and is an invaluable asset to the university."
"Pushed students to think beyond the specific concepts of music theory and to look at the bigger picture. Pushed our work further and challenged us to think beyond the textbook."
"Stunning skill at teaching this material, and teaching in general."
"Ramin is the most gifted pedagogue I've ever studied with. His masterful lessons, his tireless attention, and his spirited musical worldview have made both my semesters of Ear Training with him highlights of my Columbia experience."
"The best teacher I've ever had. A master of getting the student to teach himself/herself. The classroom always felt like a place of true learning where every individual had an opportunity and a responsibility to be honest and open."
"Professor Arjomand is one of the most inspiring, brilliant, kind, and passionate instructors I've had the fortune of having. I have never met such an introspective and meditative musical mind. I say without reservation that to be under the tutelage of him this semester has been a life-changing experience. Not only does he teach, but he also composes, conducts, and performs his own series of improvisational concerts. I have attended two of these concerts, and his musicality is incredibly captivating. I've met many professors who are passionate about music, but I have never seen a music professor express passion in the way that he does. He is so dedicated to his students' growth and personal paths, and he touches both the hearts and minds of anyone who comes his way. It has been a true privilege to have been in his class this semester, and I hope to be in a class of his again in the future. I would take it in a heartbeat."
"Ramin is incredible in every way, I have no way to recommend improvements for someone so at the top of his game professionally. He challenged us to move past comfortable, easy ideas of music and find our own path, while also offering just enough guidance when many of us were lost. He also connected his lectures, the flow of them, to the ideas he was presenting in class."
"The instructor had a unique teaching method and pushed us all to our limits in terms of work and critical thinking. His piano demonstrations and performances near the end of the semester were superb, too."
"I can't stress this enough, Professor Arjomand is everything a music instructor should be: enthusiastic, deep-thinking, and genuinely interested in making sure we not only get the material he is required to teach us, but also infuse us with a natural facility to improve and think critically in our own writing. He stressed student participation, and every time I walk into that class I know I'm going to learn something that will develop me as a composer. My Music Theory notebook from this semester is already a vital tool I must have with me whenever I compose. Thank you, Professor Arjomand. You have really inspired all of us and I hope I can have the opportunity to learn from you again. This has been an incredible and eye-opening semester."
"Professor Arjomand is the best teacher I have ever had, hands down. I will take any opportunity I have to study with him in the future."
"By the end of every class, Ramin changes the way I hear and think about music. He never ceases to challenge and excite me with the material he presents."
"Professor Arjomand's ability to stimulate intellectual curiosity is uncanny. He takes music into multiple dimensions; he relates what we are learning to painting, poetry, math. He makes everything challenging yet extremely rich with wonder. The way he facilitates discussions is phenomenal."
"Ramin is one of the most outstanding teachers I have ever had. From day 1 of this year long course, he challenged us to understand music theory on a deep, intimate level. With him, the class formed a community, with its own public knowledge, language, and spirit with which we go about our work. The passion with which Ramin discusses the material is beyond contagious - it is epidemic. He has given me a much deeper understanding of music and a greater capacity for analytical thought."
"I have never taken a better course. Professor Arjomand's love for music and theory is so inspiring, and I have learned more than I ever have."
"Professor Arjomand is a fantastic teacher. He motivates the class to do our best work by maintaining high expectations and challenging us to better ourselves. His teaching methods are interesting and stimulating. He asks difficult questions to promote critical thinking, which in turn gives us a fuller understanding of music theory and helps us to become self-sufficient. He commands attention without coming across as a dictator. The class is always attentive and actively listening because we all respect him for his great knowledge and humility. He is always open to questions and opinions that differ from his own. His assignments are difficult but attainable, and his hard grading helps motivate us to work harder. He is very knowledgeable about the subject matter and genuinely wants to share his knowledge with his classes. He is a very talented musician and educator. I can honestly say that he is one of the best professors I have ever had."
"Professor Arjomand is the best professor I've ever had. He pushes students with very realistic expectations, and he has this amazing knack for knowing what amount of pushing is right for each student. He approaches the class in a way I've never seen in any other class, and it is so refreshing. I dreaded having to miss class, as I enjoyed going so much because I knew I learned something each day. Professor Arjomand is an incredibly talented, passionate teacher, one of the few teachers I've had who cares about students truly, TRULY learning the "subject matter" (aka truly learning how to listen to music and listen to their intuition). I would take any class he taught. He is absolutely incredible."
"Best course I've taken at Columbia! Professor Arjomand is a genius, and will inspire confidence and personally work with anyone. He truly believes that anyone can get into music, and will do his best to make sure that you will improve if you truly want to. A great introduction to learning how to listen critically, with no judgement of "slow" learners. Almost everyone is doing something like this for the first time, and it's truly a safe place for you to let your "imperfections" show while you work on them (the only way to do it!)"
"Insanely intelligent, incomparably competent, and yet completely clear. Arjomand is just so smart that, being in the room, you kinda get some of that smart rubbed off on you. In all seriousness, he changed the way I thought about Theory. It's a problem, with a solution. Sometimes there are multiple solutions, and yes, some solutions are better than others. Beyond all that, however, it's music. It's supposed to express something, there is a REASON why everything is written this way. So you can memorize the rules, but remember that the rules are not arbitrary. They are simply the voiced versions of what we can actually hear. I love the way he made me think."
"Dr. Arjomand is perhaps the strongest instructor I have ever had. His lectures were deeply insightful and informative. He has a profound command over the subject matter, and his passion for the secret inner workings of music is quite intoxicating. He is a tough grader though certainly not "unfair", as this is intended to ensure our wits are about us at all times. He tested and assessed our skills frequently and managed to conduct class participation in a way that was relevant and thought provoking."
"I cannot emphasize enough how brilliant this man is. I had him for ET I as well, and he just blows my mind with every lecture. He is honestly one of the best professors I've ever had, and goes beyond what he "has" to do. He has so many incredible perspectives about life, and relates that to music. I've even seen him perform outside of school, and one can see how devoted and passionate he is about music and sharpening his craft. I will miss being in his class very much. I would take ANY class that he was teaching."
"Ramin is an incredible professor, his understanding and joy of music are pervasive, inspiring, and endearing. He's also very approachable and has the greatest, most endearing personality. If you can take any class with Ramin Arjomand, you should run, snipe, and beg."
"Dr. Arjomand presented aural skill learning in such a way that every class served as a fresh exploration that stretched beyond the text book way of approaching comprehension. His methods and ideas encouraged us all to grow and to appreciate our musicianship while opening our minds to analyzing and comprehending music in an efficient, yet abstract way. I would encourage students to start with him from Aural I and follow him through Aural IV. I think it is safe to say that he just may be the most gifted instructor and musician that I have come across yet."
"Professor Arjomand is perhaps one of the best teachers I've ever had. His approach to teaching was very unique: there was a lot of creativity, trust, intelligence, and compassion. His loose yet serious and still fun style of teaching would only work with a professor that possessed the level of mastery he did. He really understood the best way to present the topic to us, in a light-hearted, yet serious, exploratory manner, allowing each of us to formulate our own individual understandings. He was very understanding and helpful and it was clear that he was always seeking the best and most appropriate ways for us to learn. He would constantly ask us what we thought would be the best strategy but at the same time was a firm and strong figure. I highly highly recommend him as a teacher, it was really a pleasure. He is an extremely intelligent person, and a very talented musician. Thank you!!"
"I learned the most I have about music theory in this class than I have in any other theory class at NYU. I would highly recommend Professor Arjomand to other students, as he really understands the learning process for theory and communicates his thought process towards composition in a very direct way. This is also the first time I have really enjoyed a music theory class, in large part because of the fact that Professor Arjomand understands how to teach theory in a musical, not mathematical, way."
"Dr. Arjomand treated us like musicians, and because he did so, we were motivated to act like musicians. The amount of respect that we were allotted by this professor was incredible, considering indeed how unbelievably adept he is at this craft, which only served to motivate us to accomplish more. It was a hard course, but that's all right. I didn't understand the meaning of pushing myself till this. In short, I wish I could take this course every semester until I graduate. I cannot think of a better way to improve my musicianship."
"Professor Arjomand has both an enthusiasm for the course's subject matter and a strong belief in its importance to a musician's life. Both are infectious. He has clearly put a lot of thought into the shape and style of the class. I found it to be refreshing and, while demanding, one of the better classes I've taken. In the future I would go out of my way to take another class taught by him."
"Professor Arjomand is one of the most intelligent and professional teachers I have had at NYU. I have taken other courses with him and have had nothing but good experiences. He is always on time to class, well prepared, and eager to help students. I believe that he genuinely wants his students to succeed in the class and challenges us every day in order to do so. While his teaching methods are sometimes a little unconventional, I feel that they have helped me, and I would definitely take one of his classes in the future. I wish he were teaching more courses than just theory and aural comprehension."
"Ramin is truly a talented musician, composer, and instructor. He understands the material he is teaching and is able to make anything in music (even the most mundane concepts) refreshing and interesting. He is well versed and also has innovative methods of teaching and relating to students. He makes real-life connections with the material he is covering."
"Thank you for making me think about music theory differently."
Comments from Recent Course Evaluations at Columbia University and New York University:
"This is the best class I can ever remember being in, in any subject throughout all of schooling. I have never had a better teacher, again in any subject or any stage of development. It is impossible for me to speak highly enough of Ramin Arjomand, who made this class what it was and is an invaluable asset to the university."
"Pushed students to think beyond the specific concepts of music theory and to look at the bigger picture. Pushed our work further and challenged us to think beyond the textbook."
"Stunning skill at teaching this material, and teaching in general."
"Ramin is the most gifted pedagogue I've ever studied with. His masterful lessons, his tireless attention, and his spirited musical worldview have made both my semesters of Ear Training with him highlights of my Columbia experience."
"The best teacher I've ever had. A master of getting the student to teach himself/herself. The classroom always felt like a place of true learning where every individual had an opportunity and a responsibility to be honest and open."
"Professor Arjomand is one of the most inspiring, brilliant, kind, and passionate instructors I've had the fortune of having. I have never met such an introspective and meditative musical mind. I say without reservation that to be under the tutelage of him this semester has been a life-changing experience. Not only does he teach, but he also composes, conducts, and performs his own series of improvisational concerts. I have attended two of these concerts, and his musicality is incredibly captivating. I've met many professors who are passionate about music, but I have never seen a music professor express passion in the way that he does. He is so dedicated to his students' growth and personal paths, and he touches both the hearts and minds of anyone who comes his way. It has been a true privilege to have been in his class this semester, and I hope to be in a class of his again in the future. I would take it in a heartbeat."
"Ramin is incredible in every way, I have no way to recommend improvements for someone so at the top of his game professionally. He challenged us to move past comfortable, easy ideas of music and find our own path, while also offering just enough guidance when many of us were lost. He also connected his lectures, the flow of them, to the ideas he was presenting in class."
"The instructor had a unique teaching method and pushed us all to our limits in terms of work and critical thinking. His piano demonstrations and performances near the end of the semester were superb, too."
"I can't stress this enough, Professor Arjomand is everything a music instructor should be: enthusiastic, deep-thinking, and genuinely interested in making sure we not only get the material he is required to teach us, but also infuse us with a natural facility to improve and think critically in our own writing. He stressed student participation, and every time I walk into that class I know I'm going to learn something that will develop me as a composer. My Music Theory notebook from this semester is already a vital tool I must have with me whenever I compose. Thank you, Professor Arjomand. You have really inspired all of us and I hope I can have the opportunity to learn from you again. This has been an incredible and eye-opening semester."
"Professor Arjomand is the best teacher I have ever had, hands down. I will take any opportunity I have to study with him in the future."
"By the end of every class, Ramin changes the way I hear and think about music. He never ceases to challenge and excite me with the material he presents."
"Professor Arjomand's ability to stimulate intellectual curiosity is uncanny. He takes music into multiple dimensions; he relates what we are learning to painting, poetry, math. He makes everything challenging yet extremely rich with wonder. The way he facilitates discussions is phenomenal."
"Ramin is one of the most outstanding teachers I have ever had. From day 1 of this year long course, he challenged us to understand music theory on a deep, intimate level. With him, the class formed a community, with its own public knowledge, language, and spirit with which we go about our work. The passion with which Ramin discusses the material is beyond contagious - it is epidemic. He has given me a much deeper understanding of music and a greater capacity for analytical thought."
"I have never taken a better course. Professor Arjomand's love for music and theory is so inspiring, and I have learned more than I ever have."
"Professor Arjomand is a fantastic teacher. He motivates the class to do our best work by maintaining high expectations and challenging us to better ourselves. His teaching methods are interesting and stimulating. He asks difficult questions to promote critical thinking, which in turn gives us a fuller understanding of music theory and helps us to become self-sufficient. He commands attention without coming across as a dictator. The class is always attentive and actively listening because we all respect him for his great knowledge and humility. He is always open to questions and opinions that differ from his own. His assignments are difficult but attainable, and his hard grading helps motivate us to work harder. He is very knowledgeable about the subject matter and genuinely wants to share his knowledge with his classes. He is a very talented musician and educator. I can honestly say that he is one of the best professors I have ever had."
"Professor Arjomand is the best professor I've ever had. He pushes students with very realistic expectations, and he has this amazing knack for knowing what amount of pushing is right for each student. He approaches the class in a way I've never seen in any other class, and it is so refreshing. I dreaded having to miss class, as I enjoyed going so much because I knew I learned something each day. Professor Arjomand is an incredibly talented, passionate teacher, one of the few teachers I've had who cares about students truly, TRULY learning the "subject matter" (aka truly learning how to listen to music and listen to their intuition). I would take any class he taught. He is absolutely incredible."
"Best course I've taken at Columbia! Professor Arjomand is a genius, and will inspire confidence and personally work with anyone. He truly believes that anyone can get into music, and will do his best to make sure that you will improve if you truly want to. A great introduction to learning how to listen critically, with no judgement of "slow" learners. Almost everyone is doing something like this for the first time, and it's truly a safe place for you to let your "imperfections" show while you work on them (the only way to do it!)"
"Insanely intelligent, incomparably competent, and yet completely clear. Arjomand is just so smart that, being in the room, you kinda get some of that smart rubbed off on you. In all seriousness, he changed the way I thought about Theory. It's a problem, with a solution. Sometimes there are multiple solutions, and yes, some solutions are better than others. Beyond all that, however, it's music. It's supposed to express something, there is a REASON why everything is written this way. So you can memorize the rules, but remember that the rules are not arbitrary. They are simply the voiced versions of what we can actually hear. I love the way he made me think."
"Dr. Arjomand is perhaps the strongest instructor I have ever had. His lectures were deeply insightful and informative. He has a profound command over the subject matter, and his passion for the secret inner workings of music is quite intoxicating. He is a tough grader though certainly not "unfair", as this is intended to ensure our wits are about us at all times. He tested and assessed our skills frequently and managed to conduct class participation in a way that was relevant and thought provoking."
"I cannot emphasize enough how brilliant this man is. I had him for ET I as well, and he just blows my mind with every lecture. He is honestly one of the best professors I've ever had, and goes beyond what he "has" to do. He has so many incredible perspectives about life, and relates that to music. I've even seen him perform outside of school, and one can see how devoted and passionate he is about music and sharpening his craft. I will miss being in his class very much. I would take ANY class that he was teaching."
"Ramin is an incredible professor, his understanding and joy of music are pervasive, inspiring, and endearing. He's also very approachable and has the greatest, most endearing personality. If you can take any class with Ramin Arjomand, you should run, snipe, and beg."
"Dr. Arjomand presented aural skill learning in such a way that every class served as a fresh exploration that stretched beyond the text book way of approaching comprehension. His methods and ideas encouraged us all to grow and to appreciate our musicianship while opening our minds to analyzing and comprehending music in an efficient, yet abstract way. I would encourage students to start with him from Aural I and follow him through Aural IV. I think it is safe to say that he just may be the most gifted instructor and musician that I have come across yet."
"Professor Arjomand is perhaps one of the best teachers I've ever had. His approach to teaching was very unique: there was a lot of creativity, trust, intelligence, and compassion. His loose yet serious and still fun style of teaching would only work with a professor that possessed the level of mastery he did. He really understood the best way to present the topic to us, in a light-hearted, yet serious, exploratory manner, allowing each of us to formulate our own individual understandings. He was very understanding and helpful and it was clear that he was always seeking the best and most appropriate ways for us to learn. He would constantly ask us what we thought would be the best strategy but at the same time was a firm and strong figure. I highly highly recommend him as a teacher, it was really a pleasure. He is an extremely intelligent person, and a very talented musician. Thank you!!"
"I learned the most I have about music theory in this class than I have in any other theory class at NYU. I would highly recommend Professor Arjomand to other students, as he really understands the learning process for theory and communicates his thought process towards composition in a very direct way. This is also the first time I have really enjoyed a music theory class, in large part because of the fact that Professor Arjomand understands how to teach theory in a musical, not mathematical, way."
"Dr. Arjomand treated us like musicians, and because he did so, we were motivated to act like musicians. The amount of respect that we were allotted by this professor was incredible, considering indeed how unbelievably adept he is at this craft, which only served to motivate us to accomplish more. It was a hard course, but that's all right. I didn't understand the meaning of pushing myself till this. In short, I wish I could take this course every semester until I graduate. I cannot think of a better way to improve my musicianship."
"Professor Arjomand has both an enthusiasm for the course's subject matter and a strong belief in its importance to a musician's life. Both are infectious. He has clearly put a lot of thought into the shape and style of the class. I found it to be refreshing and, while demanding, one of the better classes I've taken. In the future I would go out of my way to take another class taught by him."
"Professor Arjomand is one of the most intelligent and professional teachers I have had at NYU. I have taken other courses with him and have had nothing but good experiences. He is always on time to class, well prepared, and eager to help students. I believe that he genuinely wants his students to succeed in the class and challenges us every day in order to do so. While his teaching methods are sometimes a little unconventional, I feel that they have helped me, and I would definitely take one of his classes in the future. I wish he were teaching more courses than just theory and aural comprehension."
"Ramin is truly a talented musician, composer, and instructor. He understands the material he is teaching and is able to make anything in music (even the most mundane concepts) refreshing and interesting. He is well versed and also has innovative methods of teaching and relating to students. He makes real-life connections with the material he is covering."
"Thank you for making me think about music theory differently."
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