Saxophone Lessons in Prospect Lefferts Gardens, NY

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I first ask the student to play so I can hear him/her. After a student plays a short piece of music of their own choosing I can determine what the next step is. Each student has his/her own individual needs. In general though I focus on 3 key elements: 1) Sound quality 2) Technical dexterity (how the fingers deal with the twists and turns of the instrument) 3) Reading Music If a student has a specific genre of music that he/she wants to focus on then I mainly concentrate on that. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder

I have been teaching for over 45 years, mostly in students' homes. I started in the 1970's in my NYC apartment and since moving to Westchester 30 years ago have been going to student's homes. Many of my students have been accepted to colleges as music majors or minors and my students frequently get the highest ratings in solo competitions. School band directors often recommend me as a coach for their most serious students, since school music programs usually do not have the capacity for intensive individual coaching. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo

I started teaching in college when I was a tutor in the mathematics and music departments as well as at an after school program in the neighboring town. After graduating I started teaching private music lessons in a variety of settings. I try to keep my lessons interesting and informative so that the student learns without getting bored. I am a patient, kind, and understanding teacher to students of all ages. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

For younger students/beginners, I am a huge advocate of the Rubank Elementary Method for Saxophone, since it covers a lot of the basic materials such as note values, scales, and arpeggios. For students who have progressed past this stage, I introduce "The Art of Saxophone Playing" by Larry Teal which introduces some more advanced rhythmic and articulation concepts. For saxophone students of all levels I strongly recommend Sigurd Rascher's "Top Tones for Saxophone" because it develops a students understanding of how to develop a strong sound and knowledge of the overtone series. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Keyboard

My teaching style is totally based on the energy and personality of the student. With younger students I try to be as patient as possible by allowing them to tell me exactly what they are looking to learn in the lessons. I then base my lesson plan on this interaction and build the relationship from there. I will assign tasks for the students to complete before the next lesson so that they are doing the work needed to improve their musicianship. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Ukulele Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I want my students to enjoy their music lessons, I don't want it to feel like a chore. It can be really fulfilling when I see a student playing or singing something with joy! I pay close attention to what exercises students seem to want to spend the most time on and the ones they get frustrated with. This helps me balance the lesson by breaking things up and putting them in an appropriate order so the student will stay engaged. Read More