Trombone Lessons in Irvine, CA

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: Trumpet Trombone Ukulele Euphonium Tuba

Each student is unique and requires a customized approach to realize their goals. I don't believe in a "one size fits all" approach to students where they all play the same exercises, etudes, etc. I help students find what works for them, often times we create our own methods or modify existing ones to suit the needs of the pupil. I believe a solid foundation in the fundamentals of music can be very helpful, familiarity with music theory/terminology/notation. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

I always start with a warm up, followed by scale studies. From there we move to etudes, and solos or concerti, and end with excerpts from books like the Mueller technical study or Arban book. For more advanced students and jazz players, I like to start with a warm up, scale study, learn tunes and the blues, big band charts, and end with listening and transcriptions. Overall, the most important thing a student can develop is a full tone and personal sound. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium Tuba

Music has been my passion from a young thanks to my parents that taught Music professionally, in schools as well as privately, and nurtured my passion for music and specifically the trombone. I went to study trombone at California State University Long Beach and Calif State Univ Fullerton. During that time I studied trombone under Dr. Bill Nichols, Jeff Reynolds (Bass Trombone LA Phil) as well as coaching from George Roberts. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Fiddle French Horn Piccolo Oboe

My approach to learning an instruments is to have the students learn to play by ear first before they can start learning to read music. I find that most students are able to progress quickly because it frees them to focus on the playing the instruments rather than reading notes. I consider reading music like different subject that they learn later. Learning music is like learning to speak. First we learn to talk and then we learn to read and write. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Bass Guitar Euphonium

Everybody is different, and everyone responds to different types of motivation. As a teacher it is part of my job to find out what that is for each student. I believe that success breeds success, and starting with achieveable goals and realizing results will motivate and inspire a student, but there is also no getting around practice, you must put in the time on your instrument to be successful and to progress. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

My teaching style is unique in that I do not push directly for quality. I believe that quality should be the natural product of efficient practice, which can only be achieved by early introduction to good technique, good habits, and positive motivation. When I start with a student, my goal is to make them smile and laugh. Students with a positive association with their instrument and playing it will be more inclined to listen and more inclined to practice. Read More