Kai H
Instruments: Saxophone, Clarinet, Music
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Blues, R&B, Funk, Latin Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band
Kai H
Instruments: Saxophone, Clarinet, Music
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Blues, R&B, Funk, Latin Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Master Degree: Florida State University, Bachelor Degree: Michigan State University
I am a saxophonist, educator, and composer from Grand Rapids, Michigan. In Michigan, I acquired a Bachelor of Music degree at Michigan State University under the tutelage of Diego Rivera and Rodney Whitaker. I then moved to Florida to acquire a Master of Music degree at Florida State University under the tutelage of David Detweiler and Leon Anderson. My studies and experiences gained throughout this time molded me into a highly versatile musician. During my studies, I played and toured with internationally renowned jazz artists such as Kenny Barron, Anat Cohen, Rufus Reid, Conrad Herwig, Russell Malone, Harvey Mason, and Michael Mossman. While being the main sideman in jazz groups such as the Leon Anderson quartet, the Scotty Barnhart Quintet, and the Bob Dogan Quartet, I am also the leader of my own jazz quartet called the Kai H. Quartet. Though primarily playing jazz, I can professionally play a wide variety of musical styles such as funk, motown, reggae, pop, salsa, and classical. I seek to be a musician anyone can call for any type of gig. A few notable examples is my proficiency in doubling woodwind instruments allowed me to play in the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, the Gainesville Theatre pit, and the Gary Farr & His All-Star Big Band. My experience in the studio includes recording with George Clinton and Fred Wesley.
I have taught several improvisation courses and directed jazz big bands at Florida State University and their music summer camps. I was a saxophone instructor for the Byron Center High School Marching Band. I have given private instruction to middle school students, high school students, and college students for the past six years. My main areas of focus that I teach is woodwind instruction, improvisation, big band playing, composing, arranging, and general skills needed to play music at a professional level.
I custom tailor lesson plans for each individual student based around the "Three T's" I assign every lesson. The first "T" stands for technical exercises, where I assign students specific technical exercises that best facilitates the growth where in the student's technical prowess that I see that they're weak in. For example, if a student is having trouble with playing a C major scale, I might assign them Klose's Daily Saxophone Exercise #1. The next "T" stands for transcriptions, where I assign a student songs or solos that they will transcribe by ear in order to strengthen ear training and make them critically listen to the style they're trying to emulate. For example, I might assign a beginner jazz student the easy Johnny Hodges solo on "Big Shoe." Last but not least, the final "T" stands for tunes. Students will learn specific songs or solos with the goal of performing these songs. For example, I might assign a student to learn the tune "Blue Monk" as an introduction to playing the blues.
My foremost important goal as a teacher is to foster a passion for the music that they're playing. This passion drives a student to seek out more knowledge and music in their quest to fuel their passion further. In every lesson, In order to do so, I showcase my passion for the music and foster skills that creates a deeper connection to the music. For example, I teach students how to set realistic goals and how to work consistently to meet those goals. Nothing is more motivating for oneself than to see marked improvements over a period of time.
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