Saxophone Lessons in New Hanover, PA

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I first began teaching while still completing my Bachelors degree at William Paterson in 2011. Most of my students were beginning level piano students, but I had a few more advanced students as well as some people studying saxophone with me. My teaching philosophy is to combine teaching the technique of an instrument with learning songs as well as theory and improvisation/composition. Everyone learns technique, but learning music that I wanted to learn, learning how those songs were written (theory), and eventually elaborating on those songs (improvisation), and writing my own music (composition), was what really got me deeply engaged in the act of practicing and making music, and I have found over several years of teaching that it keeps my students engaged and enjoying the learning process. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo Oboe

In my opinion, I believe in the four "T" s. The student must generate a robust tone, that's their signature. Then comes technique, fluid technique is vital. Thirdly, is good sense of time, you can't perform without it. Lastly is taste, a student must acquire an acute sense of musical taste. These four principals are essential for all levels of music performance. Once a good foundation is established, the student will have the tools he needs to take on any musical challenge. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I first began teaching upon the completion of my undergraduate studies in 2004. At that time the majority of my students were beginners in their first or second year of playing. By 2008 I had completed the first of my two graduate degrees in music. With this accomplishment the students seeking lessons with me generally became older, typically in the junior high and high school ages. It has been my priveldge to help some of these students reach their goals of becoming university and college music majors and scholarship recipients. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Synthesizer Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Acoustic Guitar

I love the learning process and to see students progress through the stages of learning an instrument. I taught myself to play the piano before I started formal lessons. I began playing the saxophone at the same time I took up the piano. I entered my undergraduate program in 1992, majoring in music education with the saxophone and piano as my principle instruments. During my studies at the University of South Alabama, a new program was started in MIDI and I attended an extra year to master digital audio. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

A beautiful sound is the beginning of the creation of beautiful music! I find it most important to do work on a student's sound in the beginning stages of playing. To achieve the foundations of a good sound, playing pitches (beginning with A on alto) on the mouthpiece alone will develop the student's sound from the beginning as well as lay the foundations for a good embouchure. Doing this brings awareness to the students use of air by showing him/her the muscules used within and around the oral cavity in order to produce an optimal sound on the saxophone without developing bad habits that could be detrimental to a student's health. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone

I like to keep my lessons fun. I realize that technique can be dull and dry at times but is a necessity in learning music. I like to mix technique with songs and styles of music the student is interested in so they get a full understanding of why technique is important and how it applies to songs and musical selections that are of interest to the student. A learning experience should be fun because for people, especially a child, something has to peak a willingness to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Acoustic Guitar

First and foremost, learning any musical instrument should be a fun experience. With this in mind, each person's lesson is subjective and progresses according to the student's learning style; a beginning 5 yr old student's lesson will look much different that a beginning 14 yr old student's lesson. Each student will learn repertoire from a lesson book, solo repertoire and anything else that they may express interest in. As a student progresses, their repertoire will naturally become more challenging . Read More