Trombone Lessons in Huntington Beach, CA

Instruments: Trombone

The lessons are structured and built around the needs of each individual student. We begin by exploring strengths and weaknesses, and then customize materials and methods based on this. At the center of my pedagogical philosophy is a style of learning built on positive reinforcement, using methods that are supported by research on brain development and learning. For older students that are more driven, we also spend more time on developing effective strategies for individual practice, and together we set clear developmental goals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Trombone Synthesizer Recorder Euphonium French Horn Music Keyboard

For the younger beginning students, I usually start with Alfred's Beginning Piano Series. Once the student has a grasp of the fundementals, I will begin introducing major and minor scales as well as solo repertoire. For my adult students I will see their level of ability and musical interests, find appropriate material based on their taste and formulate the lesson to include fun stuff as well as build proper mechanics.  For my horn lessons depending on the skill level I being with Essential Elements or the Arban book and build from there incorporating solos of the greats, and songs that they want to learn to play. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone French Horn

I always vary my teaching methods to accomodate each of my student's needs.  However, my lesson format stays fundamentally the same.  I always begin with some mouthpiece buzzing, which incorporates ear-training, then move to rhythm exercises, scales and technical studies, method book, and any other music the student is working on at the time. Most beginning students will start out with Book 1 of a standard method book; I recommend the Standard of Excellence series. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

For beginning trombone students, I start by introducing the student to the basics: the mouthpiece by itself. Getting comfortable with producing clear, sustatined tones through the mouthpiece is the key to producing smooth, gorgeous melodies on the whole trombone. I start the first 10-15 minutes of every lesson just on the mouthpiece, and then have the student play unmeasured sustained notes (called "long tones"), exploring the range of the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium Tuba

I believe it is essential for beginning students, and for that matter all level of student, to understand what a good trombone sound that they should be attempting to emulate. In the 1940s popular music included many trombone artists. While today most of the popular music is Pop, Rock N Roll, Rap, Country etc. In the 1940s it was not unusual to hear Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller on the radio. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Bass Guitar Euphonium

I began teaching trombone and bass after my first years of college at Cal State L.A. and went on to become a clinician and teacher in Los Angeles teaching trombone, bass, and percussion as well as working with musicians and conducting clinics around the U.S. and the world while touring and during my time as a cultural ambassador for the U.S. State Department. I now teach primarily from my home in Los Angeles and have had great success inspiring my students to progress. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Accordion Ukulele Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

My methods are the ones that works more for the student. For some reason some methods work better with certain people. One method can be tedious for a student and easy and fun for another. Hal Leonard's can be a good tool. I can use to many different books. Also I can write down specific exercises special for the student. Some times a student can learn faster without a book. Read More