Saxophone Lessons in La Crescenta, CA

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Music

Playing music is fun! Lessons should reflect that. One of the things I learned in my studies was to hold my students to their own standard of excellence instead of trying to have them meet my own. In addition to all of the technical aspects of playing an instrument, the greatest asset a musician has is their musical concept of sound. I highly encourage all of my students to listen to the greatest players of their respective instruments. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Acoustic Guitar

First of all, I would ask the student if music would be his/her career or just a hobby. If it is to be his/her career, my approach would be more theoretical. But if it would be just a hobby like mine, I would encourage the student to learn by ear supplemented with a little theory to be able to learn a musical piece or song in the shortest time possible. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonards Essential Elements book, as well a basic understanding of music. Once the student has progressed to have a nice grasp of the fundamentals of music, I usually begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. I also believe in the importance of listening to as many professional recordings as possible of the instrument the student is taking lessons on. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Saxophone Drums Mallet Percussion

Teaching the most basic concepts in how to build a chord or a scale by using formulas is my favorite way to approach the lesson. An individual's understanding of music is always changing therefore I feel it is better to change with them. Using methods which are proven is important, but the idea of improvisation during a lesson always keeps the interest for me and the student. Of course this depends completely on the age and the experience of a student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Jamie S. is a teacher, guitarist, singer/songwriter, saxophonist, and composing pianist. His teaching career began at the age of fourteen, as a volunteer in the Songcatchers, Inc. program, teaching saxophone and piano to underprivileged children in New Rochelle, NY. He went on to study music at the University of Rochester/Eastman School of Music. In 2007 he did an eight-month internship at Island Def Jam/Universal Music Group whilst living in Harlem, after which he completed an independent study on the modern music industry, and was awarded the first ever Bachelor of Arts Degree in Popular Music and Jazz from Rochester/Eastman. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

My teaching approch is to offer a fully personalized course for each individual students, encouraging them to explore the instrument while understanding solid technical basis. My course is usually divided in 3 phases: 1 - Understanding the instrument (breathing, embochure, basic fingering) 2- Practice routine, scales and arpeggios, developing good instrumental tecnique using classical books. 3- Jazz and instrumental Improvisation. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

By letting students practice how to improvise, students will learn not only the instrument itself, but also start to build a concept of ear-training, as well as music theory. To me, the music comes first than the music theory, which is why music theory always serves people's ear. I would have students learn how to play and hear chords, create a musical vocabulary and enjoy themselves. After letting them hear music, I will explain why they are hearing what they are hearing instead of letting them read it from a chart and not explaining why. Read More