Saxophone Lessons in Cabin John, MD

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bassoon

I have at my disposal a variety of method books and exercises that I use with my students, depending on their age, level of achievement, and particular needs. I tend to use Accent on Achievement, the Breeze-Easy Methods, and the Belwin/Alfred Student Instrumental Course for young and developing players. As the student advances, I use the Rubank Advanced Method Volume I, then transfer to method books specific to the particular instrument being studied. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet Music

Classes for beginners will focus on tone quality, articulation, rhythm, reading music, and playing in time. Students will learn breathing and fingering techniques as well as structured routines for practicing at home. Intermediate players will begin by mastering the 12 major scales and arpeggios in straight and swing patterns. Basic 12-bar blues structure will be introduced and students will learn to improvise using the blues and pentatonic scales. Students will begin to develop an appreciation for different styles of jazz through listening and ear training. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Flute Synthesizer Music Keyboard

My methods are different for every student, but I always start with fundamentals. This includes scales, exercises to improve sound and intonation, reading, writing, improvisation, and most importantly listening. Depending on the path the student choses, some areas will be focused on more than others. I will often introduce more advanced concepts early if the student displays interest in them. I am not the kind of instructor who will say "play your etudes first and then we can talk about improvisation." I almost quit shortly after I started music because I had an instructor with that outlook. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Djembe

My methods are largely based on learning the basics of theory and how to apply it intuitively in music (no matter what genre). I teach this at a patient pace, with teaching diatonic scales first, then transcending those scales into arpeggiated patterns. Learning this way not online teaches the mind, but also teaches the muscle memory of a person to remember the basics before moving to an intermediate level of theory. Read More

Instruments: Voice Saxophone

I have taught many genres of music which include jazz, blues, pop, rock, concert and marching. I also have taught many ages that range from 10 years old to whatever for over 20+ years. I usually teach one on one (private lessons). I mainly teach Saxophone because that is my most experienced instrument but, I have also taught guitar, drums, piano, bass, and voice. And I also teach music theory which I think is very important because it teaches you to know how music is constructed. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Recorder Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Music Keyboard

During my employment with Sallie B. Howard School for the Arts and Education (in Wilson, NC) where I introduced a marching band program and lead the band to winning second place in the Music in the Parks competition in May of 2015. During my internship I was able to develop a percussion line with the students in under a month. The formation and level of proficiency of the percussion section was so astonishing that administrators, staff, other teachers, and even the principal dropped in from time to time just to hear the progression of the ensemble. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

My teaching style is not rigid. I like to get to know the student and personalize the lesson plans so that they best fit the personality and needs of the pupil. I encourage hardwork and try to be prodding by making it clear that practicing is the only way to retain the concepts but I am not "strict." Ultimately I want musical learning to be a fun and self-fufilling experience for the student. Read More