Flute Lessons in Story Hill, WI

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar

Ben maintains a small but thriving private studio of guitar, bass, clarinet, and theory students in Milwaukee and via Skype. Since 2005, Ben has developed a reputation as a first-call jazz, blues, fusion, and rock bassist. He has shared the stage with the late great tenor saxophonist James Moody, Grammy Award-Winning alto saxophonist Eric Marienthal, John DeSalme (tenor sax, US Army Blues), and Duffy Jackson (drums). He has also opened for Jimmie's Chicken Shack, Edwin McCain Band, and Chase Rice. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My instruction experience dates back to my time in high school, as I started instructing private lessons part time 11 years ago, and have been regularly teaching in my home studio throughout that time. Creating a consistent practice schedule is one of the ideas I like to emphasize for younger students, as it will be more likely to benefit student development, and help them grow a passion for the instrument. I have also discovered that a mixture of classical and jazz music can go a long way in helping students like the saxophone and influence them to practice and continue to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Flute Piccolo

For beginning musicians, I like to start with the very fundamentals of music theory in order to get them comfortable with reading music and understanding what they are doing. Books I have used in the past include the Essential Elements series and the Melodious and Progressive Etude series. I also understand the importance of enjoying what one is playing, so I always urge students find pieces or books for themselves that they are interested in, and incorporate them into my lessons. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Lessons are catered to each individual student. The lessons are set up to maintain a balance between fun (to keep them encouraged) and necessary exercises to build the foundations that will excel them to the next level. Such methods will include basic music understanding such as posture/finger positions, reading music, ear training, improvisation, finger-memory exercises, etc., where they will both purposefully learn techniques and unknowingly develop very important musical faculties. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium

I'm a firm believer in taking a student where they are and building off of their interests. Finding what a student is interested in and using that as a starting point is a part of my teaching approach. At the same time, there are some things that are critical to be taught at every level that should be incorporated on some level so there's a holistic and balanced education. I find a combination of fundamental skills, scales, music theory, some history, critical thinking and analysis combined with whatever solo or individual study from school or other sources. Read More

Instruments: Piano Flute Keyboard

Another important method that I utilize - at any stage/instrument - is ear training and singing as much as possible. Pairing our voice with our physical movements to interpret what is on the page at an early stage of learning provides a solid foundation on which to grow musically. After that, I try to introduce simple classical pieces to work on finger crossing, scales, and building the motor skills to keep increasing the intricacies For flute, I have used the Royal Conservatory Method Book along with starting on scales as soon as possible. Read More