Saxophone Lessons in Santa Monica, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, its important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress and this makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the students, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Saxophone Drums Mallet Percussion

I'm a firm believer in self motivation. Having a good teacher is important but having a great student is paramount. I love to develop concepts that work for the individual student whom I'm relaying ideas to. Whether it is theory or academia or the idea of honest expression, all these facets of teaching have always been inspiring to me. I can mock up many different playing situations to accommodate any level of player. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

With private students, I customize my teaching methods to how each student best learns. I have several methods to teach most music concepts and saxophone technique so that I can better connect with each student’s learning style. I find students have a more enjoyable experience when I give them the chance to learn what they would like to play. For jazz students, I first have them identify a musician they enjoy listening to and begin exploring what makes that player unique. Read More

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

The methods that I choose to use with my students depends on what they want to learn. Some students want to just play classical music, some pop, some jazz, some marching band, etc. Therefore I do not use the same teaching methods for all students. With that being said, I do make certain that all of my srudents understand the basic elements of music, i.e., time and key signatures, note values, melody, rhythm, harmony, pitch, intonation (if a wind instrument), form, theme and variation, etc. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I like to play audio/recordings for the students when possible, so that the student has an idea of the style, or the piece that we are studying.  This gives them something to reference to, but also gives them an aural aspect in their playing/practice habits. I also model for them constantly, so that they get more visual and aural reinforcement.  I sometimes give them short music concept/vocabulary assignments, such as learning the names of the notes on the staff, counting rhythms, meters, etc; all having to do with music theory and musical concepts that can be directly applied to their practical aspect of playing. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

My teaching experience dates back to high school. I would travel around the Imperial Valley County and teach kids who were in elementary school and junior high the basics of the saxophone and help them with any difficulties in the music that they were playing. As I grew older and learned more, I began to teach people who were older than me in high school and the underclassmen as well. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Euphonium

I think it is absolutely important to develop a teaching style that is based around positive reinforcement. Praising when you like what the student did. When you can tell there is progress from week to week, telling Jonny that you can tell he practiced is a brilliant way to inspire Jonny to associate hard work with progress. I live by the mantra, 2 praises and a wish, meaning offering 2 words of REAL positivity followed by constructive criticism. Read More