Clarinet Lessons in Garden Grove, CA

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Music

For students that are beginners in music, I use the Essential Elements and Rubank methods to teach them how to read music as well as their instrument. For more advanced students, I place more of an emphasis on the fundamentals of the instrument specifically developing a warm, beautiful sound and establishing a vast technical facility. All of my students are expected to keep a practice journal as way to encourage logging their own progress and goals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Saxophone Flute Clarinet Oboe English Horn Acoustic Guitar

I use a wide variety of methods depending on the student's current ability level, musical preferences, and goals. I'm also willing to work with a method or book that a student is currently using. Generally, my students have a varying ratio of technique/scale study to work on the foundations, an etude/short piece study to help connect musical ideas and teach expression, and a solo piece that is prepared over a long period of time, most likely for a future recital. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Derek is most known for his association with the John Daversa Big Band. Derek has had the pleasure of meeting and performing with many of his musical heroes. He has recorded live and studio albums with Arturo Sandoval, Jon Faddis, John Fedchock, James Morrison, Greg Gisbert, Roger Ingram, Paul Stephens, Scott Englebright, Donny Dyess, the Tastee Bros, Bernard Wright, Gene Coye, Steve Reid, Kate Reid, Melvin Butler, Ed Calle, Richard Todd, Mike Brignola, Alex Norris, Dante Luciani, John Hart, Martin Bejerano, Chuck Bergeron, Rick Margitza, and appears on the Gary Lindsay album "Are We Still Dreaming" with the South Florida Jazz Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I like to play audio/recordings for the students when possible, so that the student has an idea of the style, or the piece that we are studying.  This gives them something to reference to, but also gives them an aural aspect in their playing/practice habits. I also model for them constantly, so that they get more visual and aural reinforcement.  I sometimes give them short music concept/vocabulary assignments, such as learning the names of the notes on the staff, counting rhythms, meters, etc; all having to do with music theory and musical concepts that can be directly applied to their practical aspect of playing. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I am a professional musician in the Southern California area who has been blessed to be able to do what I love to do for all these years. My main instrument is saxophone with flute and clarinet being my primary doubles. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Della Reese, Ralph Carmichael, Johnny Mathis, Mitch Miller, The Four Freshmen,The Cab Calloway Band, Vicki Carr, Rita Moreno, Barbara Morrison, John Stephens, Gerald Wilson, Lucy Woodward, Little Willie G, Bob Wilson, Bud Nuanez, Freddie Ravel, Rick Drexler, Tommy Walker, Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Johnson, Alex Acuna, Rique Pantoja, Justo Almario, Abe Laboriel, Andre Crouch, Leon Patillo, Kirk Whalum, Phil Driscoll, Norman Brown, Brian Simpson, Rayford Griffin, Ricky Lawson, Alex Al, Julio Figueroa, Jon Gibson as well as played and written for cartoons such as "Ren and Stimpy", "Angry Beavers", "Jimmy Neutron", "Sitting Ducks", and children's projects for Disney and Sesame Street and movie projects as a performer/actor with Danny Devito, Jim Carrey, Paul Giamatti. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

I've been playing the clarinet for over 20 plus years from middle school through college. I've performed in various concert bands, jazz bands, pep bands and chamber groups while in school. In addition to the clarinet, I can also play the saxophone as well. Groups that I played for includes the Palos Verdes Symphonic Band. I studied the clarinet at El Camino College and was a student of James E. Mack prinicple clarinetist from the Carson Dominguez Hills Symphony and also Studied Clarinet at California State University Long Beach under woodwind specialist Joe Stone from the Long Beach Symphony. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium Oboe Bassoon

I am very familiar with all of the standard piano methods, and will evaluate the student in the first few lessons to choose a method that they will be the most comfortable with.  I supplement all lessons with music theory and outside repertoire, allowing the students to choose from their favorite genres/artists.  For theatre, musical theatre, and vocal coaching, I also employ Linklater and Alexander techniques. I also really enjoy exposing students to styles, genres or artists that they might not be familiar with along with the history behind the music they're learning! Read More