Clarinet Lessons in Hickory Creek, TX

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I have been teaching band in the Dallas Independent School District for 25 years as of 2019 and privately as well. I really enjoy working with students privately the most. I have also performed professionally with several bands as well over the past 30 years and currently. I love helping musicians of all ages to improve their performance skills and confidence in presenting them. I encourage my students to enter competitions so they can feel good about their accomplishments and stay motivated to learn. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Additionally, I like to work with scales and long tones in a more advanced way, expanding the range of the instrument and tone quality as we prepare repertoire. With students interested in jazz, either as their primary course of study or in addition to classical music, we focus even more on scales and arpeggios, aiming to master first the most commonly used keys and then expanding to 12 key mastery. I like to begin with a play-along book like Jamey Aebersold's "Maiden Voyage", stressing the beginnings of improvisation, then moving on to more advanced tunes and chord progressions. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

My teaching experience started in my senior year of high school. I have taught a variety of ages and levels. From 5th grade to 12th grade I enjoyed all of them! I love to watch my students grow as they take to improve on technique, tone and etc. I give students homework to practice and encourage regular practicing. Even if it's 20 minutes a day, it's better than nothing. The more students practice, the more fun playing the clarinet is! Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

As a product of "the system", I generally teach "the system". By that I mean that in the education system here in Texas has been teaching this same way for years and years. After a year or two learning the fundamentals, scales and phrasing, then one gets to study the Ferling etudes for region band and a few basic solos for solo and ensemble. Depending on what the student wants to learn, I can teach anything they want. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

Students will always be encouraged to learn more scales, more octaves, and the full range chromatic scale. All students are encouraged to learn a solo appropriate to their playing level. Older students interested in auditioning for All-Region bands, will work on etudes to prepare for those honor band auditions. We will also prepare excerpts for various auditions like the Lone Star Youth Orchestra, etc, if students are interested in that. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

I've taught the clarinet since my high school days, offering lessons on how to play and how to march to my fellow band members as well as others in my neighborhood and surrounding cities. I did the same in the Marines to my fellow Marines as well those in high schools near my duty station. I take the time to understand what my students want to accomplish and set short and long term goals while having fun and motivating my students to learn more. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium French Horn Tuba Oboe

Since most of the students I teach are members of a band program, I make sure that most of my lessons are based on what is being learned at school. Planning an individual practice schedule is imperative for their success but at the same time make it enjoyable so the student will want to practice. Constant acknowledgement of their progress each lesson the student more eager to learn. Even though the school program may require students to learn from specific material, I also tailor instruction to music they enjoy performing. Read More