Trumpet Lessons in Fairmont, CA

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

For beginners and younger students, I usually start with things that are low pressure, yet effective. As opposed to using textbooks, I prefer to write my own exercises in front of students so that they feel included in the process. I also normally let them help me write these, which helps with reading and understanding written music and how it's related to the instrument. My biggest emphasis for younger and less experienced students is to get them to try and play everyday, even just for 10-15 minutes and make it a habit. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Accordion French Horn Music Keyboard

I find that metaphors using familiar things and processes, like the laws of nature and physics we see everyday, can help students grasp concepts that require marrying physical movements with mental flexibility. Perhaps we're discussing articulations and you're having trouble understanding stylistically how to approach and execute staccato with legato over it. We could turn to methods like the Breathing Gym to practice a physical manifestation of how that articulation should sound. Read More

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

For stringed instruments, I uses the Suzuki method for teaching the basic repertory of the instruments. This method is an ear training method in which the student plays by ear. It starts out very simple so students of all ages can learn and progress very quickly. For learning to read music I use one of the method books like "A Tune a day" or Strictly Strings which teach the fundamentals of read music and music theory. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Music

Young students begin their instrumental journey with some basic theory lessons while we simultaneously explore the physicality of playing trumpet. From there, we begin learning fundamentals--exercises on the instrument, with breathing, and mental practice--which are reviewed with the student from beginner to professional. Solo repertoire and etude-work will be assigned to give the student the practice of performance but also to challenge and assess them on specific aspects of their journey on the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Trumpet Recorder Fiddle

My teaching experience began as a college student. I taught privately and later after getting my certification with the state of California I taught for 10 years as an instrumental music instructor with the Clovis Unified School District near Fresno. After that I moved to Los Angeles and taught for 14 years in that capacity with the South Whittier Schools. I am familiar with a variety of musical styles and like to vary my instruction to both classical and mariachi as well as others listed above. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

To me it is important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs. I use a lot of play along material and I show and play for the student a lot of playing techniques and riffs for examples and what is possible and how to progress. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Recorder Euphonium Tuba

In my methods of teaching I typically like to focus on what the students want to get better at while also incorporating fundamentals and good habits. I feel that this gives the student the ability to choose what they want to do as well as my chance to show them the right way to learn it and create good habits while playing the instruments. Usually older students I try to focus more on fundamentals and I play through method books like Rochuts or for more advanced students maybe the Bitsch book. Read More