James B
Instruments: Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Music
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Country, R&B, Musical Theater, Showtunes, Swing, Bossa Nova, Marching Band, Avant-garde
James B
Instruments: Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Music
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Country, R&B, Musical Theater, Showtunes, Swing, Bossa Nova, Marching Band, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Master Degree: University of California, Bachelor Degree: University of California, Teaching Certificate: The U.S. Army School of Music
1994 Atwater Kent Brass Competition First Place
1994 Most Outstanding Musician Award UCLA Wind Ensemble
1989 Most Outstanding Musician Award UCLA Jazz Band II
I'm a passionate and motivated instructor who loves working with students and sharing my love of music. I graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Trombone Performance/Composition in 1991 and a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Euphonium Performance in 1995. I'm about to retire from the Army with 20 years of service and looking forward to continue on with the next chapter in my life. As an Army musician, I've performed all over the world and it has been one of the greater experiences of my life.
When I was in college in the 90s I began teaching several high school students on euphonium. As the euphonium teacher at the Army School of Music, I gave lessons to euphonium, trombone, and tuba players from intermediate to advanced abilities. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. I've also found that a combination of classical and modern music can go a long way in helping students enjoy the piano and motivate them to practice and continue to learn. If a student isn't having fun in their lessons, then I'm not doing my job! My students are encouraged to enter competitions and recitals, as well as work on composing their own original material, so they can feel good about their accomplishments and stay motivated to learn. I'm always looking to bring on new students of all ages!
I believe in a strong grasp of the fundamentals. For low brass, I work out of the Arban book, Bowman/Alessi edition, Remington, and Edwards Lip Slurs for fundamentals. I also like the Breathing Gym. For technical studies, Kopprasch for euphonium, Blazhevich for trombone, and Tyrell for Tuba. For lyrical studies, Rochut for euphonium and trombone, Bordogni for tuba. For solo studies Characteristic Studies in the Arban and selected standard repertoire pieces. I also try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level.
I believe in developing strong fundamental skills. Some of the fundamental building would include repetitive exercises and attention to detail. Even with these types of exercises, I like to incorporate musicality into them as much as possible. I like to balance my lessons 1/3 technical, 1/3 lyrical, and 1/3 student interest/fun/duets. Playing duets is a great way to impart a sense of musicality to the student while at the same time not having the student on the spot. I feel it is important to be able to tell the student exactly what he or she physically has to do to sound good (faster air speed, more lower lip, tongue higher for higher notes, etc.), but I also believe in the power of visualization (relax, close your eyes, visualize what you want to sound like, open your eyes, and play, trying to maintain that sound, but don't think about what you are physically doing for example
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