Saxophone Lessons in South Barrington, IL

Instruments: Saxophone

Beginning students need to achieve a solid grasp of the fundamentals in order to ensure future success while enjoying their lessons and having fun! In my studio they will learn to take care of their instruments, play with proper and efficient technique and posture. The majority of repertoir will be provided in a Hal Leonard, Essential Element Book.  Intermediate students will begin to expand their range and fluidity while playing scales and solo repertoir. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

90% of being a good saxophonist is the responsibility of the student, and 10% is on the teacher. Even though a student should work hard to improve, I recognize that my 10% is extremely vital. Since my scheduled lesson with a student only represents a fraction of the time they play their horn, I keep it fun, upbeat, and encouraging. If a student is struggling with an assignment, it will be met with kindness and patience. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Euphonium

With beginning and other school age students, I work with any lesson book or material given to them from their director or teacher, regardless of the method book. From my learning, teaching experience and work in music retail I am familiar with most of the method books in use, especially Standards of Excellence, Rubank, Essential Elements and others. I also am knowledgeable in other intermediate and advanced books, such as Klos, Arbans, and Clarke. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute

I began teaching while I was in High School and I would teach the younger students who were freshman and sophomores the tenor saxophone. Once I went to Eastman, I taught several people throughout the course of the four years there. I beleive that, particulalry when teaching the saxophone and flute, a mix of classical fundamental technique is very important as well as incorporating the jazz or rock repertoire. I feel that my skills as a music therapist can be very unique particularly because I can really attend to the needs of the student and adapt the music and lesson accordingly. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I like to start beginning students with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements books. When students move on to other materials, I draw upon their interests and the genre in which they are playing to find materials. I encourage classical students to listen to the repertoire so they can bring in pieces that they want to work on. I use a variety of method books with my jazz students, depending on the specific goals of the lesson, but I also place emphasis on ear training and transcription. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I don't believe there is one absolute method and encourage my students to find whatever sparks musical joy in them, so I can help them pursue that. I can learn so much as a teacher by being shown what makes other people creatively stimulated. This is one my favorite parts about teaching! I can provide the knowledge and exercises to build a strong musical foundation, but it is up to the student to use these skills to express their own musicality and to access all the of the music they love on a deeper level. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Music

My teaching methods vary greatly for every student. I'll approach all of my first lessons the same. I asses your playing and discuss your goals. Next we work on a plan to help you achieve your goals. I've keenly aware that everyone has different learning styles and aim to discover every student's style so that I can most effectively teach them. All of our lessons will focus on the fundamentals of good music making - tone, rhythm, time, pitch, musicality, etc. Read More