Saxophone Lessons in Bloomington, CA

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

I like to teach students in a way that encourages them to think for themselves and learn how to correct their own mistakes. I think it is important for students to develop a solid practice routine, which they can use for years to come. I like inspiring students by going beyond learning their instrument to helping them understand the history of their instrument and the music they are learning and the role/importance of music to them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Music

Playing music is fun! Lessons should reflect that. One of the things I learned in my studies was to hold my students to their own standard of excellence instead of trying to have them meet my own. In addition to all of the technical aspects of playing an instrument, the greatest asset a musician has is their musical concept of sound. I highly encourage all of my students to listen to the greatest players of their respective instruments. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Ever since I was a kid, I had a passion for mentoring and tutoring. Nothing makes me feel as fulfilled as a long day of teaching, having fun with my students and helping them make progress both in their musical studies and development as people. As a performer, my career encompasses anything from classical and jazz concerts to musical theater productions and studio recording sessions. I am constantly looking for new ways to contribute to my craft and find new outlets for performing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Fiddle French Horn Piccolo Oboe

My approach to learning an instruments is to have the students learn to play by ear first before they can start learning to read music. I find that most students are able to progress quickly because it frees them to focus on the playing the instruments rather than reading notes. I consider reading music like different subject that they learn later. Learning music is like learning to speak. First we learn to talk and then we learn to read and write. 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

Most recently Derek was the lead trombonist of the 2018 Disneyland All-American College Band. He has recently performed with Wayne Bergeron, Gordon Goodwin, Dave Holland, Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman, Jimmy Heath, Shaun Martin, Christian Jacob, John Beasley, Troy Roberts, Frank Greene, Brian Lynch, Jeff Jarvis, Steve Houghton, Jiggs Whigham, Sal Lozano, and John Clayton. Derek has had recent performances at Dizzys Club Coca-Cola, the Smithsonian Institute, and the New World Symphony. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute

I have taught some students while attending Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. I've also taught a master class to university students in Colombia, South America while on tour with the Morgan State Jazz Combo. I enjoy teaching to all ages! Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Jazz, Improvisation, Musicianship, Technique, Functional Piano. Topics also included are 1) Breathing 2) Phrasing 3) Articulations 4) Scale Studies 5) understanding Chord Symbols 6) Chord Symbols and there related chord scales 7) Harmonic and Melodic anaylsis. For more advance players I like to introduce them to Aebersol play-along, Berklee method books and lennies Nehaus to work on phrasing and articulation for the student that plans on playing in a jazz band at school. For beginner students who usually are Children or sometimes adults who have maybe never played a musical instrument I will typically start with Hal leonard or Rubank method and once the student has grasp some of the fundamentals I will begin to either introduce Solo material ( Classical) or if thier interest is in Popular Music-Jazz start learning to play either some Blues and Standards depening upon the path the student is interested in. Read More