Saxophone Lessons in Lake Stevens, WA

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Keyboard

The goal, then, is to make sure that they visualize and know exactly what they are going to play before they start playing – just like a good public speaker who uses zero filler words, makes direct eye contact, and speaks with conviction. One achieves that deliberate execution by being aware and practicing those subtleties, so my job as a teacher is to help them learn how to attain that focus. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

I love seeing students grow and develop as musicians. Therefore, I set realistic goals and expectations for the student. I encourage them to explore the material covered during lessons as well as make discoveries on their own. By finding out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to meet their musical goals. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

I first find out how the students learns best. Knowing if somebody is hands on, likes to listen, needs to watch, be shown etc. can impact the experience and quality of the lesson. Using analogies is something that has really helped me in my practicing so I enjoy passing that on. Setting realistic short term and long term goals are absolutely essential to progression, along with finding an inspiration. I have always found a player who inspired me and would figure out what they were doing to sound the way they sound. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

I first started teaching while I was in high school. It all began when I taught at a music summer camp called Camp Winthers. My main responsibilities in regards to teaching were leading instrument sectionals, and giving advice one on one. This would continue summer after summer until I reached college. In the beginning of my time in higher education, most of my lessons taught were to my peers, focused mostly on music theory and ear training. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

For methods; it will honestly depend on if the student has been working through something with a prior lesson teacher or after the first lesson and seeing what the interest is in either jazz or classical will go from there. For classical; I would utilize the Rubank method books that I used when doing classical music. For jazz studies, I find it more beneficial to start with the Charlie Parker Omnibook, Realbook, then start learning things by ear and memory depending on the level of the student and the progress we are making. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I like to start by asking about a student about their prior experience (if any), interests and goals on their instrument. With my students, I generally start by tackling basics like healthy breathing and posture, producing good tone, note-reading, and rhythm. Depending on students interests, we may then gradually incorporate more advanced techniques such as playing by ear, learning longer, more complex classical or jazz pieces, music theory, and improvisation. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

If the student has no experience with music or the instrument, I will start them off with the very basics, such as: how to properly put together/take apart your instrument, proper care for the instrument, how to form a supportive and correct embouchure. This will also be accompanied by multiple books, which I usually recommend getting Essential Elements 2000 for complete beginners . We then have a foundation we can build on. Read More