Saxophone Lessons in Farmington, PA

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

I believe that once a student enjoys what they are doing - that's where the true learning starts. I want to encourage the student to push their limits with their instrument. However, I will make sure that the student plays within their skill level to avoid bad performing experiences. If they want to play a piece that is out of reach for them, I may pick a piece that is very similar to that one with a goal in mind to one day work up to that piece. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

I like to work with students through the Rubank Method books. These are excellent books for any level musician to pick up and work from. I use these as a foundation of technique that can be translated to repertoire. Again depending on the style of music the student wants/needs to practice, I will pull from etudes, solo transcriptions, and popular music to start building the student's repertoire. I will also work with students on building skills in improvisation. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

My methodology contains five planks: Listening - exploring important music for the saxophone as well as other instruments; Fundamentals - engaging in exercises to improve overall facility with the saxophone as a whole; Scales - playing scales and technical exercises to improve dexterity and and fluidity on the saxophone; Etudes - completing weekly etude assignments to gain speed as a learner Repertoire - performing and practicing core pieces written for the saxophone as well as jazz standards. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I want to help every student achieve their personal goals in music, whether it is to work on school music, learn a new instrument or become a professional musician. I encourage structure in the lessons, but am flexible to work on the students needs. I focus on helping students create their best possible sound and communicate with expression. I want my students to perform and experience live performances. I provide serval venues and ensembles where I perform as well as other performances happening in the Pittsburgh area. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Ukulele Euphonium French Horn Music

For young students or beginners, I start with a lesson book such as Essential Elements or Accent on Achievement. Each of these methods series have multiple books that the student can progress through. Once they have reached a certain level of understanding, I will sprinkle in songs that they know and enjoy, such as Disney songs, pop songs, etc. For high school students, I start with famous repertoire for their instrument or more advanced pieces they are interested in. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

For classical studies, there are some standard saxophone repertoire books I like to go to. For brand new students, I use Essential Elements books, for intermediate students I use Rubank method books, and for advanced students I use the Ferling etude book. For jazz studies, I begin students with Lenny Neihaus' Jazz Conception for Saxophone, which lays a great foundation for jazz and swing playing. After this, I do a lot of ear training and memorization exercises for tunes, and talk about chord-scale theory. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

As a teacher, I'm interested in more than just my students' success on the saxophone. I want to cultivate their understanding of music from all angles - to get them listening to new styles, learning the history, analyzing the pieces they play. I also want to ingrain habits that will help them in all areas of their life - setting achievable goals, developing discipline, respecting others, and loving to learn. Read More