Trumpet Lessons in Wood Ridge Garfield, NJ

Instruments: Trumpet Music

My primary teaching philosophy is one of showing by example. Book learning is excellent and necessary and I use an assortment of standard materials and literature to assign lessons. I am especially fond of the teaching method of Laurie Frink and John McNeil and their joint manual "Flexus" and the basic Carmine Caruso embouchure studies literature. I also create my own exercises for the the students based on their individual and immediate needs. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Music

For beginner students, I focus heavily on fundamentals consisting of breathing, mouthpiece buzzing, long tones, slurring/tonguing exercises, and scales. I will require each student to learn at least 1 new scale each week once we've established our individualized curriculum. For more intermediate/advanced students, fundamentals are still a must, but we will also begin more challenging repertoire such a solos, etudes, orchestral excerpts, and various other advanced studies depending on the student's level. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Trumpet Trombone Organ Accordion Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music Keyboard

But they will be in my care. I hope to reach them much like how a person reaches anyone. With respect, patience, and a will to understand our many differences. My community of learners are not going to be perfect children, and that is okay. There will be days when the majority of what we do in class is learning how to be human. I think we are all still learning how to be human. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

I use Alfred Piano Method, it also dives into intervallic reading, as described above. Many true, albeit arranged, baroque, romantic, and classical piano pieces are featured without a lot of fluff and fanfare. This may be an ideal method for more serious, self-motivated students. The Alfred method is featured in a variety of books, including an all-in-one piano course for children, a prep course, and a basic piano library, completely correlated and presented in progressive levels. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music Keyboard

I like for a student to look at a piece of music and then to explain to me what they think it is. Their perception is different than my perception and I can learn a lot about how to teach them based on how much they may already understand or do not understand. Understanding musical concepts and musical language is important and I emphasize getting basic concepts right immediately. If a student has a misconception about something I try to correct it so they can move forward make progress. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone

I like to tailor my approach to each student and the things they find inspiring about brass instruments. I will set goals and motivate my students in a way that works for their learning style. Lessons will always be engaging, challenging and fun. All students will begin with a foundation in the essential trumpet method books including the Arban, Clarke, Schlossberg and Chichowicz. From there we can explore specific areas of interest, with my specialties being upper register development, improvisation, jazz theory, transcription and solo pieces/concertos. Read More