Saxophone Lessons in Vista Del Mar, CA

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I love teaching; it is my passion! But most of all, I get great satisfaction in sharing the love of music with my students.  Seeing the accomplishments, achievements, an growth of my students is the thing that continues to inspire and drive me. I encourage my students to have fun and have a say in the music selection process, because I want them to feel like they too get to choose the music that they want to learn and play. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Saxophone Drums Mallet Percussion

Teaching the most basic concepts in how to build a chord or a scale by using formulas is my favorite way to approach the lesson. An individual's understanding of music is always changing therefore I feel it is better to change with them. Using methods which are proven is important, but the idea of improvisation during a lesson always keeps the interest for me and the student. Of course this depends completely on the age and the experience of a student. 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

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

For younger beginning students, I typically use a method book, such as Accent on Achievement or something similar. For older beginners, I typically use the Rubank beginner's book. With this book, the student learns the fundamentals for their instrument. Once the student demonstrates an understanding of this, we will move on to sheet music. For more advanced students, we will typically use an etude book like Klose to explore the technical aspects of musical performance (such as technique development, phrasing, dynamics, etc.). Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

Embouchure: muscle distribution, posture, mouthpiece position Tone Production: tongue position, first tone , various dynamic levels, long tones Intonation: Overtone exercise, opening of throat , expansion of neck, singing pitch Articulation: reading phrase articulation , determining articulation Phrasing: playing each note with a purpose Repertoire: Standards , Publications Scales: major / melodic minor arpeggios thirds and fourths various exercises Patterns: symmetrical patterns for repetition and inside and outside harmonic structure Equipment: horns, reeds, mouthpieces, books, software, hardware Solo Interpretation : Playing in the proper idiom Ensemble interpretation: following the lead player, supporting role, blending History Saxophone Styles: Major influences on Jazz and Popular saxophone Practice routine: what , how long and in what order to practice Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

My teaching style has a balanced mixture of work and play. The work comes first and is always the forefront of each session. This will include warming up with long tone exercises, scales for balance and technique, sight reading and ear training. The play part means taking a break from the instrument, listening and discussing everything that we hear. It's a fun way to take their mind off of music assignments even though we're still practicing a form of ear training. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I am a professional multi-instrumentalist living in Los Angeles, performing, teaching, and recording regularly on saxophone, flute, clarinet, and trumpet.  I graduated from Oberlin Conservatory in 2011 with a Bachelor of Music in Saxophone Performance.  Since graduating from Oberlin, I have had the chance to travel and perform around the country and world with many fantastic musicians in a variety of genres.  I specialize in jazz, but have classical training and experience in a wide varieties of music from salsa to funk. Read More