Clarinet Lessons in Holland, OH

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet Drums

I am a firm believer in showing rather than telling. I always have at least one type of saxophone with me during lessons if not more. For example, if I have a student who is taking baritone saxophone lessons, then I will have a baritone saxophone with me. My goal is not to play along with the student during these lessons; rather it is simply there if I need to demonstrate a key concept to my student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Music

My teaching style is whatever fits best with the student. I am a high energy, silly, out of the box kind of teacher. I have no shame doing a silly dance to get my students engaged and moving! My main goal is for students to have fun and enjoy making music. My students will quickly learn to love every sound that they make because every note they produce is unique to them. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

Making music and playing your instrument easier is always my goal. Putting visualizations to certain sections of music to make the student more musical, or making a game out of the harder more technical sections is how to keep students interested longer. Of course, every student is different. Some need a firm nudge in the right direction, while others are so self-determined that all they really need to remember is how to make music enjoyable--and then they break through and can infinitely improve. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet

There are quite a few method books that I like to use with my students. To start, I like to have students use the Beginner Rubank Method Book (the blue book) and work through this to get the basics down. After this, I like to choose some supplemental solo pieces that aren't in this book to help the students grasp the concepts that they have been working on, outside of what is shown in the book. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet Music

For beginner clarinetists, we will begin working out of the Voxman/Gower Beginner Method Book. We will spend the majority of the first lessons learning posture, holding the instrument, proper embouchure, blowing into the clarinet, breathing techniques, articulation, and how to develop sound through long tones and exercises. During the process, basics of music reading and music theory will be taught. For intermediate to Advanced students, we will learn all scales and arpeggios using the Klose Method book. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Watching my students develop and grow as musicians is one of the greatest joys I have in life.  I use positive encouragments while also challenging students to continually improve.  Music making is not a race, so I allow students to develop naturally and at their own pace.  I try to inspire, encourage, and motivate through leading by example. My favorite aspect of my first teacher was when he would play his instrument along with me. Read More