Saxophone Lessons in Zion, IL

Instruments: Piano Voice Viola Saxophone

For beginning voice students, I focus on opening and relaxing the throat by way of diaphragm support and healthy, strong breathing. These are the fundamentals of good singing, regardless of the style.We work on these techiniques with both vocal exercises and repertoire.From there, I focus on the student's quality of tone and helping them find their "natural voice." The best singers use their authentic sound, and are not a second-rate imitation of someone else. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

As important as it is for me to help improve students technical ability and tone, I believe it is equally important for me to find ways to nurture students' creativity and passion for music. I believe it is very important for students to listen to a wide range of music, especially the type of music they are studying, in order to develop their awareness of style and nuance. I also encourage students to create their own exercises in addition to the ones I assign. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar

Ben maintains a small but thriving private studio of guitar, bass, clarinet, and theory students in Milwaukee and via Skype. Since 2005, Ben has developed a reputation as a first-call jazz, blues, fusion, and rock bassist. He has shared the stage with the late great tenor saxophonist James Moody, Grammy Award-Winning alto saxophonist Eric Marienthal, John DeSalme (tenor sax, US Army Blues), and Duffy Jackson (drums). He has also opened for Jimmie's Chicken Shack, Edwin McCain Band, and Chase Rice. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Music

Teaching is something I have always felt passionately about. I first started teaching at the age of 14, teaching martial arts to young kids nearly every day at my stepfather’s martial arts school. As I grew up and began taking music more seriously, teaching remained an important part of my life: as clarinet section leader in the Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band in Hawaii, I was responsible for administering weekly lessons to other clarinet players in the band, and I also worked with several school music programs in Hawaii, developing and leading masterclasses for K-12 students. Read More

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

I have extensive materials and exercises that can be used to get a firm grasp on the fundamentals that are needed to both play the saxophone and improvise freely. I love working with students on improving their sound, their range, and their fluidity on the saxophone. No matter their experience level, I know what steps are needed to unlock the next level in someones sound and playing. I have been lucky enough to study under masters of the instrument and can translate all of the knowledge I have been given to help students on a case by case basis. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I really enjoy watching the week to week progress of a motivated student and sharing in their passion for the wonderful art of music! I remember when I was a young student and didn't understand why my teacher was having me prepare all those scales and arpeggios? Why couldn't he just make me play better. Well I realized many years later that it just didn't work that way. I had to practice the scales because just like professional sports teams work on fundamentals all the time to keep playing well, so do musicians need to work on fundamentals. Read More