Saxophone Lessons in Pomeroy, PA

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 Saxophone Flute Recorder Oboe English Horn

I firmly believe that everyone can learn to play music well. Natural talent exists but if you have the passion and desire then you can achieve anything! I plan the lessons around the individual student and their needs and focus on keeping the students eager and positive by emphasizing strengths and finding solutions for improving areas of difficulty. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Keyboard

At the begining of a lesson I encourage to start by listening and running through the scales and pieces that we last worked on. Make sure they are all well learnt. Before moving on to more scales and next pieces in the selected order at the beginning of class. Aurals are a great way for me to play to my student as they learn more about the selected piece, learn rhythm and also interpreting their selected pieces. 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 Guitar Saxophone Clarinet

For beginning students, I find that the simpler the methods, the better. Essential Elements is a great series for beginners, and is a good way to teach basic music theory and musical ideas. As students progress, I like to introduce solo repertoire and books that are more specific to the instrument that they are learning. I also like to find out what music the student enjoys listening to, or has a desire to play, and start to add songs in that style to their list of practice pieces. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Keyboard

Great music lessons are a mix of solid technique building and fun application of those skills. I always spend the first few lessons getting the student familiar with the basic technique of the instrument, and then quickly move on to duets, improvising, sight reading, solos, etc. that tie in with the current technique studies. Music can also be heard or read, so I try to strike a balance between reading music/theory and learning/improvising by ear. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I believe that every teacher says this, but I teach at my students learning pace. Especially for beginners I want them to learn how to play their instrument the first time around, not the second or third time. For me as a teacher I set high expectations for my students so they know exactly what they should strive for. I always give positive feedback and then some strategies to help them along their musical way. Read More