Saxophone Lessons in Beach Center, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

This type of jumping around is pretty routine even with students without special needs, so maintain a flexible but focused teaching style. It's a bit of a tightrope, but a walkable one. Adam, as many students are, was eager to show me his progress with scales first thing every week but as soon as the scale began to irk or ceased to interest him, we had to move off of it right away onto something that was joyful, so he stayed focused. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Derek is a Grammy-nominated trombonist based in Los Angeles, California. Derek completed a BM in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas in 2016 and an MM in Studio Music and Jazz Trombone at the University of Miamis Frost School of Music in 2018. As a freelance musician in Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas, he has been regarded as a first-call musician in many styles of music for the past 5 years. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I can provide solid foundations for new musicians and detail-oriented polishing for advanced players. For those beginning an instrument with me, I draw from Rubank or Essential Elements methods and customize my lesson plan based on the needs and interests of the student. For students pursuing jazz, I use The Goldman Method, which provides a systematic and easy to follow program that quickly produces results. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I like to play audio/recordings for the students when possible, so that the student has an idea of the style, or the piece that we are studying.  This gives them something to reference to, but also gives them an aural aspect in their playing/practice habits. I also model for them constantly, so that they get more visual and aural reinforcement.  I sometimes give them short music concept/vocabulary assignments, such as learning the names of the notes on the staff, counting rhythms, meters, etc; all having to do with music theory and musical concepts that can be directly applied to their practical aspect of playing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Bass Guitar Music Keyboard

It is important for me that the student is motivated and enjoys the lesson since they have to keep loving playing and practicing at home everyday to be able to progress properly. Learning music as learning anything is about exploration and repetition. Once you understand something you have to be able to do it correctly a few times before moving on. This can only be achieved if there is a certain amount of practicing involved. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I am a professional musician in the Southern California area who has been blessed to be able to do what I love to do for all these years. My main instrument is saxophone with flute and clarinet being my primary doubles. Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Della Reese, Ralph Carmichael, Johnny Mathis, Mitch Miller, The Four Freshmen,The Cab Calloway Band, Vicki Carr, Rita Moreno, Barbara Morrison, John Stephens, Gerald Wilson, Lucy Woodward, Little Willie G, Bob Wilson, Bud Nuanez, Freddie Ravel, Rick Drexler, Tommy Walker, Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Johnson, Alex Acuna, Rique Pantoja, Justo Almario, Abe Laboriel, Andre Crouch, Leon Patillo, Kirk Whalum, Phil Driscoll, Norman Brown, Brian Simpson, Rayford Griffin, Ricky Lawson, Alex Al, Julio Figueroa, Jon Gibson as well as played and written for cartoons such as "Ren and Stimpy", "Angry Beavers", "Jimmy Neutron", "Sitting Ducks", and children's projects for Disney and Sesame Street and movie projects as a performer/actor with Danny Devito, Jim Carrey, Paul Giamatti. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

Generally speaking I also like to teach music theory and ear training during my lessons so that the students can improve all of their musical skills. This has showed to be crucial especially if they are interested in improvisation and playing contemporary music genres such as jazz / funk / rock / blues. For more advanced players and adults I start by getting an understanding of what they like to play and what are their goals and adjusting my methods according to them. Read More