Saxophone Lessons in Short Hills, NJ

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Lessons are positive and laid back.  An atmosphere is created to be able to ask any question. Lessons are comprehensive, meaning that they both play to the student's strengths while addressing any weaknesses or information that is typically skipped over in public school simply due to lack of time and having the students on an individual basis.  Lessons are not just theory oriented, but more performing oriented.  There is always a solo to play or duet to sight read. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Recorder

You can learn so much about a student in a 30 minute trial lesson! If a new student is not a total beginner, I will ask them to play their favorite song (or one of their favorites if they have trouble choosing just one). After their performance, I ask them what they liked about how they played. Its important for students to always be aware of what they do well. If they arent able to see their strengths on their own then I share with them what I think their strengths are and encourage them to keep that up. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Bassoon

My teaching process looks like a mountain stream. We start at the top of the mountain, and the goal is to get to the bottom. As I teach using my tried and true techniques, we make our way down, but when I notice that my student needs extra help, or should be pushed more, we detour into another stream until we can return to our main path. Sometimes, we diverge immediately and continue down different paths until we make it to the bottom anyway! Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music Keyboard

I focus on tone production, articulation and phrasing. Sight reading, improvisation and music theory follow next. With clarinet and saxophone students I spend a lot of time on reed selection and care. There are so many misconceptions about reed strength and how it relates to mouthpieces that I could talk about it all day (and usually do). I work on clarinets and saxophones every day and consider myself proficient in identifying problems with instruments and then fixing those problems. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Mallet Percussion

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with a method book (my method book preference varies depending on the instrument). At the early stages, the fundamentals of music are essential. My philosophy of music is that any student is capable of achieving anything they want, as long as they put their mind to it and they work hard. I started playing the saxophone in second grade; however, there were basic fundamentals that I was still learning in college. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet Recorder Keyboard

I'm just starting out pursuing teaching as a professional. During my undergraduate degree, I gave some piano lessons to a next door neighbor, and also also tutored my professor's daughter in music theory. Those moments were crucial for developing what I want to be doing: infusing music lessons with music theory and composition. I feel that learning to play music becomes an entire new experience when one understands the theory behind what they are playing and and furthermore is excited about generating their own material. Read More