Saxophone Lessons in Rockleigh, NJ

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Music Keyboard

I always want to help my students understand the basics of music and universal principles that can apply to any music they are interested in learning. Whether it's jazz, pop, classical, blues, most styles of music share these principles in common and are best played when the musician can understand the underlying structures. Rather than having students memorize one piece that they'll forget as soon as they move onto the next, I want my students to have the skills to play any music they like any time by helping them develop their ear. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Harmonica

I like to think that I am even-handed with my students: put in the work and show respect, and you will get the same. My teaching style is pretty heavily implied in the above sentence---when the student enters my studio, we will warm up with scales, chords, and modes. Then we will learn whatever new concept we will be learning that day, and finally end the lesson by doing the fun stuff (ie: playing actual songs). Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo

For students who are learning an instrument for band or marching band, I like to integrate their sheet music or method books into the lesson. I use method books with students who are new to their instrument. These materials are then supplemented with scales, solo repertoire, exercises, and technique work as appropriate for each student's interest and skill level. Lessons also consist of listening to previous assignments/repertoire from prior weeks and then offering feedback, answering any questions a student may have, and giving new assignments for the next lesson. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I began my teaching days informally when I was still a student at Fairport High School. Some family friends wanted to learn how to play saxophone, so I began teaching them. Next thing I knew, I had a small-time music studio in my parents' basement! I was teaching saxophone as well as jazz improvisation at that time. I took a break from teaching when I went to college, and began teaching again the summer after I graduated. Read More

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

Depending on ability level and goals teaching materials will be selected from standard tude books, repertoire and studies. Focus will also be given to aural learning and learning melodies and rhythms by ear. Read More