Saxophone Lessons in North Hills, NY

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo Oboe

Depending on the individual needs goals of each student, I will customize lesson plans on a week-to-week basis. If there are no immediate goals for my students, I prefer to focus on classical technique and tone exercises that I compile through a variety of method books for each woodwind instrument. This includes but is not limited to: Moyse, Kroepsch, Baermann, Ferling, Shaw, Filas, Lacour, and many others. Classical technique is boring however, and I also believe that it should be applied towards learning real music that I will tailor to each student! Read More

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 Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Organ Piccolo Oboe Bassoon Keyboard

I am fortunate to have met, associated and studied with, performed and recorded with some of the greatest musical minds of the innovators of traditional modern jazz, and also a few of the eternally legendary classical musicians. I have two degrees in music but more important is the gift that I have been given to know these amazing people in my life. I've received three National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Fellowships to pursue music in the direction of my choice. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

In my previous teaching I have a very sound based approach. Everything will be easier and more fun if we can produce a good sound and tone out of the instrument. I have used this method in all of my previous students and found their niche to what they need to make lessons and their playing more enjoyable. We work at the students pace and make sure they are always ready to move on. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

For young beginners on wind instruments, I really focus on getting a good sound out of the instrument first. Then, I have them learn simple songs by ear to strengthen their relationship with the instrument. At the same time, I will teach them how to read music if necessary. I like to use the Rubank or the Sound Innovations band method books to start with. For my piano students, I go over posture and hand position first, in addition to the basics of the keyboard and fingerings for scales. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone

My teaching method is to provide exercises, pieces, and etudes that are at an appropriate level for the student. I listen to my students play, and I comment on good aspects and any problems. During each lesson, I will explain how performance problems can be corrected. This will ensure that the student will develop good fundamentals for musical performance. The fundamentals that I teach are tone, time, rhythm, articulation, vibrato, finger technique, music reading, and basic music theory. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Bassoon

My teaching style matches the personality of the student. I can vary my lesson from high energy to calm and sensitive. As an previous elementary school music teacher to 3000 students, I have the ability to read a student and find the most effective way to teach immediately. When it is appropriate, I enjoy teaching in the Orff-Schulwerk approach to music education, which means making music through movement, speech, play, and creativity. Read More