Saxophone Lessons in Fort Hamilton, NY

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My lessons vary from student to student, but are generally comprised of two parts. The first part involves working out a method book or classical etude book, depending on the level of the student. I believe that working out of a book is a great way to cover many of the fundamental bases of being an instrumentalist, such as reading music, developing technique, developing a good sound, playing with good rhythm, etc. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute

My approach to teaching can be different based on the age and level of the student. In general I like to keep the pressure off my students and above all find ways to make learning fun and enjoyable. My ideal lesson is one that the student will remember, whether it's a concept we talk about or a song that we learn. I try and teach my students more than how to play notes on a page and to learn songs, but how to discover and tackle projects themselves that otherwise might seem too big a challenge. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

For beginner students young and old I start out with Rubank Elementary Method for saxophone. This book provided a solid foundation in basic theory and reading that lead to musical literacy. From there I go towards the basics of improvisation in the blues while continuing with technique books on the side. Once this foundation is in place I begin to encourage the student to explore music they're passionate about and start with the basics of solo transcription and more advanced improvisation. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I am lucky to have had the opportunity to work with so many great students of all different levels. From adult beginners to advanced high school students, I have enjoyed helping people achieve their musical goals for the past 10 years! For younger students, audition preparation is an important part of their musical journey. I try to make this process as fun possible to make sure that they enjoy their audition experience. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Cello Saxophone Bass Guitar Double Bass Keyboard

For students aged 3-6, I ensure to use visual materials. I also try to give the student time at the end of the lesson to improvise, which ensures ending on a positive note.-Students aged 7-13 always a quick Q&A regarding music studies in school if they are participating in the school's music program. They are also given scale exercises to ensure a solid knowledge of the major and minor scales.-Students 14+ are given the opportunity to express particular interests and goals that they are specifically trying to reach. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

A passionate student is a happy student, so I take special care to ensure that each student develops at their own pace. I like to encourage students to set goals for themselves to get an idea of where they think they are musically, and help them to tailor these goals into small and accomplish tasks. I also think it is extremely important to praise students for working on their material, as this helps encourage them to try even harder and push their boundaries. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music Keyboard

I focus on tone production, articulation and phrasing. Sight reading, improvisation and music theory follow next. With clarinet and saxophone students I spend a lot of time on reed selection and care. There are so many misconceptions about reed strength and how it relates to mouthpieces that I could talk about it all day (and usually do). I work on clarinets and saxophones every day and consider myself proficient in identifying problems with instruments and then fixing those problems. Read More