Saxophone Lessons in Ho Ho Kus, NJ

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

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Recorder Keyboard

I have 3 methods/philosophies: 1) The student should be excited about what they are playing! I like to stay away from methods books and dive into real repertoire. I have no limitations on genre, but I am personally excited about classical music, which includes contemporary classical music/experimental art. 2) If interested, I would like the student to learn the basics of music theory so that the music they are playing is brought to a new level of understanding. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I start out with the basics: Major Jazz Scales, Mixolydian Scales, and Minor Scales, Teaching students the importance of playing long tones is constantly enforced . Simultaneously, students learn how to outline the Blues, and transcribe solos. For more advance students, I teach jazz phrasing, intermediate jazz song outlining and jazz enclosures. Each student receives a cloud drive with songs, charts, demos and other lesson plans. Students that are really hungry can move along at their own pace. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

The student has to develop in their own phase. My primary role is to inspire and motivate to student, to set goals for them selves, and help them to reach their desired goals. But most importantly having fun with music, each student has an individual way of learning, my goal is to find what inspire them and go deeper into that. We'll listen to a lot of examples of music and we'll play a lot together, my lessons are hands on, learning by playing, this includes leaning songs and look at them from different perspectives; listening, rhythmical, melodically, theoretical, looking at scales sound and rhythm. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

As a Saxophonist and Clarinetist I prescribe to the Joe Allard method of embouchure and technique that has been codified and popularized by saxophone master and pedagog, Dave Liebman, from whom I have taken countless classes. For my classical students, I like to use the Rubank method books. For more advanced students, I am a huge fan of the Rose Studies for Clarinet and the Ferling studies for Saxophone. Both of these books not only provide great etudes for technique but also are great studies in musicality, theory and interpretation. Read More