Saxophone Lessons in Snohomish, WA

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet

I work with each student on a case to case basis, each student has different needs and approaches, all of which I try and accommodate. I encourage my students to practice at least an hour a day, this can be done in ten minute intervals or whatever amount of time the student can maintain focus. I would also love to hear about what my student is interested in and what I can do to help them become a more well rounded musician. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Keyboard

My main focus is trying to teach students HOW to learn music, so that they can eventually create their own methodology based on what works best for them. I have eight years of experience teaching private lessons, so I understand how to craft a curriculum to an individual's needs. Working with hundreds of different musicians has taught me that everyone learns music differently: some through sight reading, others with audio recordings, others still by watching someone else do it first.  We can work on specific topics during our lessons, but I can also give you a bunch of things to review/work on during your own time. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

The first few students I ever had were actually swimmers! My first teaching experience came as a swim instructor for people of all ages at a local club. Because of my work there I was able to convert a small number of those kids into saxophone students as well and the teaching itch began! For the most part these students were family friends, and very much beginners so my strategies revolved around basic practice routines, some tone development work and helping with parts for school band or the like. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

My methods are not unusual, although I am a bit. Based on the the students experience and ability, or lack thereof, I'll make suggestions about what music to get. Often they already have music that will work, to which I will add developemental studies of various sorts. For example, I like Bartok's Mikrocosmos which he wrote to teach is nine year old son to play piano. Many things can be learned with no book at all, but reading music is also important. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

If the student has no experience with music or the instrument, I will start them off with the very basics, such as: how to properly put together/take apart your instrument, proper care for the instrument, how to form a supportive and correct embouchure. This will also be accompanied by multiple books, which I usually recommend getting Essential Elements 2000 for complete beginners . We then have a foundation we can build on. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I like to start by asking about a student about their prior experience (if any), interests and goals on their instrument. With my students, I generally start by tackling basics like healthy breathing and posture, producing good tone, note-reading, and rhythm. Depending on students interests, we may then gradually incorporate more advanced techniques such as playing by ear, learning longer, more complex classical or jazz pieces, music theory, and improvisation. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

I really began teaching when I was in high school and then going into college. During high school I was discovered by different middle school and elementary school music teachers and asked to come teach their students. As I began working at different schools, I was asked to give private lessons. I taught beginner masterclasses, private lessons, and traveled to different schools for about two years. In 2017 I was offered a visual and musical teaching position with the Grants Pass Highschool Marching Band. Read More