Saxophone Lessons in Marblehead, MA

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Recorder

For beginning students I like to start with a method book, such as "Tradition of Excellence". This allows students to start from the very beginning, especially if the student does not have previous music reading experience. I teach reading and playing hand in hand so that it becomes a memorized process. After working through the method book, I will create individualized lesson plans, to include solo repertoire, band music, or other methods books. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Clarinet Organ Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music Keyboard

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 Flute Clarinet Recorder Piccolo Music

For beginners, I have a multitude of etudes, simple songs, and exercises to encourage sight-reading, finger comfortability, and basic cognitive understanding of music fundamentals such as scales. For guitar, I usually begin with fun simple songs such as "What do we do with the Drunken Sailor" and a simple blues. For woodwind instruments, I'll typically begin with songs such as Hot Cross Buns, Mary Had a Little Lamb, or some holiday songs during the holiday season. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo

For beginners I often start with the Standard of Excellence, but it does not take long before we start to get into more individualized education. For example, a student may be bound for high school jazz band, in which case we will immediately begin on music theory and scale/mode practice from as early as 5th grade. On the other hand, I may have a high school flute student who wants to audition for conservatory, in which case I would use some Marcel Moyse books, orchestral excerpt practice, and standard solo repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Keyboard

My experience of studio saxophone teaching covers over 40 years and includes time at various New England universities as adjunct faculty at Dartmouth College, the Univ. of New Hampshire, and Univ. of ME at Augusta, as well as my current position at Phillips Exeter Academy, where I am also a member of the Faculty Jazz group. I acquired a Master's in Composition and Saxophone Performance in 1996 from Lesley College in Cambridge, where I spent a year taking lesson with Jerry Bergonzi. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Flute Clarinet Organ Synthesizer Recorder Piccolo Keyboard

From 2002 to present I have taught private lessons and ensembles here at Filedheacht Music School [East Bridgewater, MA] which I own and operate. I have taught throughout my career as time and schedule have permitted since 1983. Consistent practice habits and structure that are responsive to the student's abilites, goals and schedule are the core of my approach. I endeavor to Inspire, Educate and Achieve: in that order! Listening to the student, assessing their abilities, hopes, and possibilities is the first order of business when beginning with me. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Saxophone Oboe English Horn Keyboard

Over the years, I have come to understand that each individual has a different path to follow. Teaching in one specific way could help one student, but that same way could hamper another. For that reason, I create my teaching material after meeting my students. Although I have a lesson plan that includes the fundamentals of music, I adjust the way I teach the material in response to my students needs, interests and temperaments. Read More