Clarinet Lessons in Cliffside Park, NJ

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder

I have been teaching for over 45 years, mostly in students' homes. I started in the 1970's in my NYC apartment and since moving to Westchester 30 years ago have been going to student's homes. Many of my students have been accepted to colleges as music majors or minors and my students frequently get the highest ratings in solo competitions. School band directors often recommend me as a coach for their most serious students, since school music programs usually do not have the capacity for intensive individual coaching. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo

Dependent on the instrument, I generally use essential musical workbooks as well as my own scales and exercises that create a better base to suppliment the workbooks.  I find that these general books are useful to keep the student's growth on track, however, my own sound exercises alllow wind players to usually progress at a quicker rate.  For more advanced students, once we have discussed what each student hopes to get out of their lessons and what they generally see themselves doing with their instruments in the next few years, we can decide what pieces to work on and what skills to develop. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium Tuba

For a young child to love music, a teacher must introduce it to him or her in a passionate way, without forcing it one the child. The struggling student is just as capable of loving music, just as much as the accomplished one. As I mentioned earlier, all students learn at different paces, so I teach each student as close as humanly possible to their level. It is not important for a child to play like a professional musician, but to play like the student has put his or her heart into learning the music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Organ Piccolo Oboe Bassoon Keyboard

My teaching methods are essentially designed to give the student maximum command of his/her skills on their chosen instrument. First, all students must know the music essentials and the masters, especially on their instrument. Technique must be perfected by daily practice. I seek from every individual the highest level that they can attain to. No one knows exactly what that is but what is surprising and refreshing are the boundaries once thought impossible to accomplish have been broken. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder

I typically start beginner students on the Rubank Elementary Method books for saxophone, clarinet, or flute. These books are a great way to introduce the basic mechanics of the instrument, as well as reading music. I generally like to branch out from the method books as soon as possible, by supplementing the basic reading with other technical studies and pieces. For adults and more advanced students, I like to steer the focus more in the direction of what they want to learn, while still teaching the proper fundamentals of the instrument! Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

A Berklee College of Music Alumni, Simon has studied with an array of professors including Dino Govoni, Dennis Montgomery, Walter Beasley and Kenwood Dennard. His aggressive funky style has made him a mainstay in groups like the Brian Rigby Band and SlackTide both of which tour regularly up and down the east coast. In addition to these groups Simon has worked with groups such as SoulPax, and Jon Oneal and the Bayou Boys. Read More