Saxophone Lessons in Franklin Lakes, NJ

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Harmonica

I start with theory and technique for beginning trainees, combined with songs that utilize the modes and scales that the trainee will be learning, thus combining the academic with the practical. More specifically, I feel that learning scales and modes are of vital importance to any musician (no matter the skill level), as such a thing is necessary not only for improvisation (which is very important as my background is in jazz), but also for writing music, which I feel that every musician should do in addition to playing other people's music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Clarinet

I'm a certified music instructor whose favorite part of teaching is getting to meet new people and bond over music. I graduated from Messiah College with Bachelor's degree in Music education and have taught as a certified music teacher for a year now. I have been playing clarinet since grade school, saxophone since high school, and picked up piano in college. I have also performed in many ensembles, such as the Messiah College Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Saxophone Bassoon

I like my lessons to be fun! I like to start my lesson with a "music swap": we each play one minute of a song that we found that week from youtube or spotify and take 30-60 seconds to say why we found it interesting or inspiring (it can be any genre). We then aim to discuss and practice a new technical skill and use exercises to develop it, we work on a song from the method series or a song that the student wants to work on (I often transpose pop/rock songs for my students), and then rhythm training, ear training, and music theory concepts are interspersed throughout. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Accordion

My approach varied from student to student. I decide about it after the first lesson where I can determine what kind of steps will take. I have my own music books with songs and exercises that I have developed over last twenty years of teaching I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

For my beginning students, I start off with Hal Leonard's Absolute Beginners - Alto Saxophone method book to start them off with the basic fundamentals of reading music and playing the saxophone. For my more advanced students, I introduce fundamental saxophone techniques as well as solo repertoire. For adults, I encourage them to come up with a set of goals, and I set up each lesson so that we meet these goals. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I love seeing my students get better, and different things make different students improve. I like to find what that is for each individual student. For example, some are more interested in reading the notes, and others are better at learning by ear. I try to work with each student's strong points and use the strengths to work on improving the weaknesses. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I believe that in order to engage a student in the learning process, goals must be clear. I begin by asking new students what they want to learn. Many students are not sure what they want to learn, and this is to be expected. In this case, some trial-and-error is necessary; if a student is bored by Bach, maybe its time to see how he/she can relate to learning a simple tune by ear maybe a jazz tune like Summertime, or maybe the latest single on the radio. Read More