Music Lessons in Upperville, VA

Instruments: Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Teaching music to students has always been a huge passion of mine and developing a love of music is always my top priority. I had a lot of bad habits that developed over years so it will always be my goal to make sure this isn't the case with my students. Playing music should be fun, never too hard or painful. I will put a big emphasis on posture and building proper habits from the beginning. Read More

Instruments: Piano

For beginners, I start with the basics - proper posture and hand position, introduction to the keyboard and note recognition. In my experience, the Faber series is the most widely followed to get students started on their musical journey. As students progress, I ensure that they develop a repertoire that consists of at least 3 songs. I emphasize the importance of technical exercises that begin with 5 finger scales and advance to proper octave scales. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Students can expect to work from a variety of method books to study instrumental techniques, and music theory. For beginning students I prefer Hal Leonard's Essential Elements, but also work with any method book a student uses in their band class. Students will also work from the Peters/Yoder Master Theory Series. We will also incorporate a students "favorite" music to help develop listening skills and gain a level of comfort and familiarity with improvisation from the very beginning of their lessons with me. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Keyboard

Adult students I have taught typically want to learn to do two things: 1) accompany themselves on an instrument while singing a popular song or 2) learn to play with others ... whether that be a jam session during a jazz set ... or playing behind someone else that is singing or playing a lead instrument. For these adult learners I lean toward teaching chords, arpeggios and scales. Important: I suggest that a student only practice 15 to 20 minutes a day ... whatever amount of time it takes to cover the lesson. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet French Horn Music

Classical Students: We will Start with basics: Breathing Posture/Playing Position Long tones, Articulation Scales Music theory Then progress into more advanced topics: Musicality tone phrasing advanced music thory composition and arranging Then solo, band and orchestra literature will be introduced Elementary Intermediate: Usually standards Advanced: More contemporary music Jazz and other styles: All beginning methods will be the same as Classical students with Jazz methodology adopted: Scales: Blues, Dorian, bebop etc. Read More

Instruments: Guitar

Every student has different goals ,wants and needs..and it is for this matter that an individual and personal approach is needed to address those musical aspects,catered and tailored specifically geared towards their learning the instrument.I use various resources at my disposal: books,mp3s and videos and my many years of experience and knowledge of performing and teaching. For classical: I use the Matteo Carcassi Method Book, Fernando Sor and Mel Bay's Complete Method for Classical Guitar. Read More