Trombone Lessons in Round Lake Park, IL

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Clarinet Euphonium French Horn Tuba Music Keyboard

Building a solid method approach for every student is essential to the students success. I choose a custom approach for each student, because each student is unique. There are many overlaps to my approach for each students lesson plan, however every lesson needs to be altered a little, since some students struggle in areas where others might succeed. Fundamentals are the foundation for successful music making, and thus are the foundation of the lessons I teach. I have worked with many different method books and do not have a single preferred book, rather each student may need something different depending on their strengths and areas that need improvement. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

I have a variety of method books, solos, and exercises to work with, but I like discovering the music that each student finds both challenging and rewarding rather than expecting every student to work on the same material. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone

I have teaching experience in several areas of music. In addition to directing middle school and high school bands in the public school setting, I have also taught music appreciation (both middle and high school level), kindergarten music, and philosophy courses to college undergrads. No matter the setting, I have always enjoyed developing a strong relationship with my students. I am always interested in exposing students to new music and ideas and to help them grow into reflective and detail-oriented musicians. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar

When working in private lessons, I work with each student to set goals, both long and short term. I then assume the role of a guide whenever possible, rather than an authoritarian figure, so that sudents can discover concepts for themselves vs. having the information given to them. When students discover the concepts for themselves, they tend to understand them much better because they have learned them through practical use. Read More

Instruments: Trombone

For beginning students, I typically start with breathing exercises geared towards tone production as well as mouthpiece buzzing to start strengthening the student's embouchure. For more developed students, I try to guide them accordingly around their interests to keep the lessons fresh and more importantly, FUN. A typical lesson will consist of but not limited to, warm-up Call and Response exercises, where the student mirrors what I play. This is not only a time for them to develop aural skills, but to also hear and see professional playing up close and gives the student an example in developing their own musical concept. Read More

Instruments: Trombone Euphonium Tuba

The most important thing that I can teach a student is good habits. One of my first teachers always said "I'm not here to teach you to play the trombone, I'm here to teach you how to practice the trombone." That has esentially been my teaching philosophy since then. The half hour to an hour that I would be spending with a student each week is not enough time to turn them into a great trombone player, so the most important thing to do in lessons is to teach them how to practice the instrument when I am not in the room with them. Read More