Saxophone Lessons in Passaic, NJ

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Hello, my name is John and I teach Private Music Lessons in and around New York City. I offer lessons in Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Piano and subjects such as Music Theory, Improvisation, Music History, and other areas. Biography: John is a musician based primarily in New York City, and was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. After finishing his undergraduate music studies at Florida State University where he received a BA in Jazz Studies, John is now pursuing his masters degree at the Manhattan School of Music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Music Keyboard

Over the course of many years, I've developed a method for beginning piano and woodwind students which yields excellent results. For the first series of lessons, I want the student to become comfortable in understanding the keyboard or the wind instrument, avoiding the secondary interface of sight reading. There are about twenty short, simple, basic songs I have the student master. At this point, not only are we working on understand the harmonic and melodic "hardware" of the keyboard or horn, but we are developing proper technique in terms of hand position, posture and sound as well as a natural rhythmic feel. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium Tuba

For beginning students, I like to start them on the Hal Leonard Essential Elements. I believe it moves at the proper pacing for young children. For intermediate students, Accent on Achievement works well because I find the music is more challenging. Also I require older students to know scales, primarily Bb, Eb, and F major being that they are the easiest to learn. It is from there that I gradually add a new scale (one every few weeks) until ultimately all 12 major scales are learned. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I am looking for students who have the time and energy to dedicate themselves to practicing a minimum of four times per week. My lessons are fast paced and fun, and students who practice regularly can expect to see noticeable improvement in their playing each week. In each lesson I will introduce some new techniques and will work with you on scales, fundamentals, exercises from a method book, and music (classical, jazz, or both, depending on the player's preferences). Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Synthesizer Recorder Music

I am developed an individual, highly effective teaching approach, combining basic music statements, free improvisation, improvisation on given changes and rhythm, sight-reading, music theory, discovering and incorporating music from different cultures and epochs. For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Recorder

I use what some have called the target approach. With this method you are working on one concept at a time, and you should always have one concept in mind while you practice. Some examples of beginning concepts are 1) keeping a steady beat, 2) sound quality, or 3) smooth finger technique. In one practice session using the target approach you may spend 10 minutes on target 1) and 15 minutes on target 2). What is important, however, is that you continue to work on a target every day until you find yourself performing that single concept flawlessly and effortlessly. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Saxophone Flute Recorder Piccolo Music

For Beginner students I have them start with the recorder. The instrument allows for a smooth segue to the flute being that the student can see their fingers and the recorder does not require the same air speed and lung capacity that the flute does so the student can pace themselves. For intermediate or advanced students I will go through orchestral excerpts, etudes, or technical studies with them. I follow the same model with my adult students, if they are just starting out I will recommend beginning on recorder to solidify fingerings however the mental and physical capacity of an adult versus a young child are very different. Read More