Saxophone Lessons in San Fernando, CA

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums French Horn Oboe

I, Michael G. Turner, breathe through music. My love for music began at a very early age and I was blessed to realize, very soon, that it was my passion.I began performing at the age of 13 on clarinet, in voice, and on drums and percussion. Most of my early performance experience was obtained in church, school, and in my older brothers' Top 40 band. I hold an Associates in Music degree from Los Angeles City College, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from California State University Northridge, a California State Teaching Credential, and I am currently the music teacher and director of bands at Chatsworth High School in Chatsworth California. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

Listening is the most important thing. If you don't know how your instrument sounds and how the great masters sounded when playing it, you will never develop a sound. So I highly encourage all my students to constantly listen to music and understand a little bit of the history and legacy behind their instrument. This way, they will understand where they are coming from, and where to go Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

My main goal is to show students how amazing playing music can be. Nothing is more fufilling than watching a student become inspired to grow as they grasp new ideas and develop a new skill. It is important to instill efficient and productive practice values in a way that that is exciting and fun, and that will foster the desire to learn and progress. Because each person processes information and ideas differently, it is my job to find the best way to "click" with each student in order to maximize their learning and understanding. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

After studying under some amazing private teachers, I started teaching saxophone and clarinet when I was in High School. Since then, I have taught hundreds of students of all ages and skill levels privately and in conjunction with music institutions. I was the manager of Educator's Music in Twinsburg, Ohio for 3 years. After moving to California, I continued teaching private lessons through Musika and other online services. I have over 20 years of professional performing and teaching experience. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I like my students to bring a small notebook, so that they may write their homework down, and any practice assignments.  I expect my students to keep a practice log of how much time they practice per week, in between lessons.  I always insist that setting goals and expectations for them, is very important, as well as keeping track of whether they themselves are staying on task.  I try and incorporate different ways of practicing or playing music, so that even practicing turns into being fun and exciting and doesn't feel like a chore.  Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

By letting students practice how to improvise, students will learn not only the instrument itself, but also start to build a concept of ear-training, as well as music theory. To me, the music comes first than the music theory, which is why music theory always serves people's ear. I would have students learn how to play and hear chords, create a musical vocabulary and enjoy themselves. After letting them hear music, I will explain why they are hearing what they are hearing instead of letting them read it from a chart and not explaining why. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

For beginner students I will use the book "Accent on Achievements" by Jack O'Reilly and Mark Williams. I will show them the fundamentals of their saxophones. I will teach students all the correct fingerings and the alternate fingerings. I will teach students how to read, write, and sight read sheet music. I will teach students the basic terms of music and very basic music theory. For example: Time signature, bass and treble clef, meter, staff, etc. Read More