Saxophone Lessons in Riva, MD

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet Music

My teaching philosophy encourages exploration of music with a focus on the uniqueness of each individual student and their particular aspirations, typically emphasizing reading classical music and improvising solos for Jazz or other more contemporary styles while having fun growing as a musician! I try to make sure lessons are fun and rewarding by adapting my teaching style to focus on the student's learning style and interests. For jazz students I encourage a lot of back and forth play-a-long between myself and the student or between the student and a play-a-long track. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Djembe

My approach to teaching is based on a large amount of communication between the students, the parents, and I. I love to know what my students are thinking in order to enhance what they are looking for in musicianship. I believe that musicians should be allowed to play and learn freely, however, the foundation given by learning jazz theory, gives any musicianship a bigger dynamic of playing for whatever genre they specifically like to play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Oboe

I will typically begin with Alfred's Basic Piano Library book for piano students, as I believe that the best way to truly learn music is by playing songs instead of exercises designed to demonstrate techniques and concepts. Alfred's Piano Library offers exercises in the forms of music that increases with difficulty as new material and concepts are introduced to the student. With younger students especially, I always start with instructing the student on the basics of their instrument, such as the proper terminology, how the instrument actually produces sound, and proper maintenance. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Saxophone Bass Guitar Organ Music Keyboard

I have a vibrant personality and I love teaching, especially when it comes to helping students grasp things where traditional teaching methods have proved to be intimidating or unaccommodating. I have performed in a variety of ensembles and have produced multiple volumes of my own compositions. My musical background is rooted in jazz, funk, soul, and latin music, and my teaching method will tend to emphasize "grooves," with a special eye toward harmony, syncopation, comping, and improvisation. 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: Saxophone Music

Some students prefer a more relaxed, free way of learning. Some demand a more disciplined, focused method of teaching and learning. After assessing the student's profile I can better suggest a track and work with the student to achieve his/her goals. My lessons are a balance of music theory, ear training, transcription, and free playing. Each student is unique in its learning. I help them to identify their needs to progress in their learning and give them the needed tools to keep growing and enjoying music. Read More