Saxophone Lessons in San Jose, CA

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet

From 1981-1993, I was the music director for URCS, a private school in Long Island, NY. I developed pedagogy and taught the high school band and choir. Since 1985, I have taught private lessons. Many of my students have gone on to be professionals in the industry. I absolutely love seeing my students click with understanding on their faces when they get the next piece of the puzzle they may have been missing regarding their playing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I tailor my lessons to the needs of the individual student. I use a combination of lesson books, solos and exercises to bring out the best performances my students can achieve at the time. I feel it is important for us to have fun while learning. I also use practice sheets as a motivational tool for children, so they can earn stickers and small prizes for putting the practice time in required to learn the skills needed to continue moving to the next level. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

First and foremost, I believe in HONESTY and RESPONSIBILITY to my students. I remember when I took private lessons many years ago with various teachers and thought that I was pretty good at playing saxophone. It was not until I studied under Dr. Keith Bohm that I realized how horrible those previous teachers were. They were negligent and was not able to provide the essential fundamentals for me as a young musician and thus, I developed many, many, MANY bad habits. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I am an enthusiastic instructor who likes to share the joy and dedication that is required to play music with students of differents ages and levels. I am a native from Cuba but have been living in San Francisco Bay Area for more than 10 years, which has given me the opportunity to participate in artistic events from diverse cultures. I had participated in several events and festivals not only related to music but also to dance, such as the San Francsico Carnaval with the Brazilian Ensemble BATALA, the CUBA CARIBE Festival, and this year I will participate in the Ethnic Dance Festival with the Afro- Peruvian "PROYECTO LANDO". Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Music Keyboard

For the exercises the student has mastered, I will assign the next exercise in the series or assign and go over a new exercise that strengthens whatever skill we are working on. If the student has not yet mastered the exercise we will go over it together. I will explain and discuss the technique and theory behind the exercise. I may make a recording for the student or write notes on the exercise for the student. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always say that rhythm is more important than the notes. Play the right rhythm and the notes will come instead of playing every right note while sacrificing rhythm. I encourage students to make their mistakes loud, proud, and in rhythm so everyone has a better idea of what needs to be worked on most. I also emphasize isolating parts to practice and working backwards. Example: play the last two bars of the song until comfortable with it, now play the last 4 bars, last 6, last 8...etc., whole song. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Euphonium Music

I have worked with students at a variety of levels and will meet the their needs accordingly. I ask my students what their goals are and then build an individualized lesson plan based on their needs. We can work on music for performances or for personal growth. I want to help my students reach their musical goals. I usually teach students out of method books to begin with, and while we work through these I ask the students to help select pieces for fun that they might also want to learn for perfomance. Read More