Clarinet Lessons Cheatham County, TN

Instruments: Saxophone, Clarinet, Recorder

Teaching Methods: I have found that every student requires a very different approach when teaching in a private setting. And that is true of students of all levels. It's quite difficult and unproductive to try and fit every student into the same method. Younger students, beginning and intermediate, progress often has to follow a school dictated path. I can work with any method book provided by the school or recommend a method that I find appropriate for the student. I also like to provide the student with new music every lesson. For advanced students, I like to rely on the standard clarinet repertoire for most of the lesson material, and I supplement with etudes from the clarinet repertoire as well as my own transcriptions of etudes from the violin, viola, cello, oboe, flute and bassoon repertoire and technical studies to address specific parts of the technique. I emphasize an approach that is true to the performance practice of the era the composer was active. Adult students often already have an idea of where they want to be, and I tailor make the lessons to reach that goal.

Teaching Styles: Because every student is unique, and learns and grows at at different rate, my approach to every student will be different. An emphasis on regularity and time management is essential to a student who wants to grow, so I assign realistic goals for each lesson. My lessons are most often dived into three parts: technical studies, etudes, and solos. I like to draw from music that exists outside of the clarinet and saxophone standard repertoire when I feel appropriate. For example, my jazz students have proven to benefit from the study of baroque music and ornamentation. And I often ask my bass clarinet and baritone sax students to learn etudes originally written for flute. It's always good to spread our wings and see what is possible.

Instruments: Piano, Voice, Trumpet, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Drums, Organ, Recorder, French Horn, Piccolo, Mallet Percussion, Orchestral Percussion, Oboe, Bassoon

Teaching Methods: I have developed my own beginning teaching materials. I also use popular method books for intermediate and advanced levels. I give a fall and spring recital in which all students are encouraged and motivated to participate in. I believe in motivated engaging lessons that produce a fun and enjoyable time at all skill levels. 

Teaching Styles: I love to see a student express themselves through music. My style and approach is to tailor instruction for the individual student. This is done with the belief that everyone does not learn the same. By recognizing accomplishments and progress, I seek to keep the desire of music alive. 

Instruments: Piano, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet

Teaching Methods: For my beginning students who are children on piano, I typically start with Alfred's Basic piano books. There are so many levels and it helps them understand the basics. With the piano books there are also theory workbooks that give them a chance to think about what they are actually doing when it comes to making music. With the older students on piano, I stick with Alfred's Piano books for adults. It's a fast paced learning tool but also help adults learn the basics. With my instrumental students I use Essential Elements and Hal Leonard's; I will also provide solo repertoire and technique books. 

Teaching Styles: I love to see kids progress in music and become excited about it!! My teaching style is very paced and hands on. If a student isn't getting something, I like to slow it down until they they do. I'm very complimentary and positive during lessons; this helps the student be confident. I also try to give the student a guideline on how to practice and how to pace themselves throughout this process. I tailor all of my lessons according to what the student needs.

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Trumpet, Trombone, Flute, Clarinet

Teaching Methods: I like to spend the first lesson figuring out what the student knows so that I can formulate lesson plans that are relevant and chronological. Once a rapport is established, I introduce material that is both accessible and challenging and help the student work through the music. First we work on playing the right notes and rhythms, then we add musicality and expression. 

Teaching Styles: It is important to me that my students gain the necessary knowledge and skills to be able to continue making music after lessons with me end. I want to make sure that they develop a strong foundation for music understanding and are able to apply it to their chosen instrument.