Trumpet Lessons in George Mason, DC

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Flute Synthesizer Music Keyboard

My methods are different for every student, but I always start with fundamentals. This includes scales, exercises to improve sound and intonation, reading, writing, improvisation, and most importantly listening. Depending on the path the student choses, some areas will be focused on more than others. I will often introduce more advanced concepts early if the student displays interest in them. I am not the kind of instructor who will say "play your etudes first and then we can talk about improvisation." I almost quit shortly after I started music because I had an instructor with that outlook. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Bass Guitar Euphonium Acoustic Guitar

I'm a diverse and enthusiastic musician, dedicated to teaching, and convinced by the power of music to enrich peoples lives in every way. I graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota with a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance, and obtained Masters of Music degrees in both Trumpet Performance and Orchestral Conducting from Central Michigan University. I have performed with the Midland Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, the Round Top Festival Orchestra, and the Pierre Monteux Festival Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

I've been teaching trumpet for nearly 30 years, over half that time since I've been living and teaching in my home studio in Woodbridge, Virginia.  I encourage each student to not just practice, but to practice correctly so as to show them that the quality of their practice time will yield better results than the quantity of the same.  I tell them:   If you practice correctly, you get better. If you get better, you play with better players. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

For young beginners, I start off with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements, as they are probably already working in this book if they are in bad at school.  Outside of that, I'll typically incorporate key beginning excercises from the Arban's Book to help develop the students sound and chops.  This was how my first teacher taught me, and I found his methods extremely helpful in my early years.  Once they're fundamentals are developed, I will begin to work on the students first recital. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

For beginning students, I typically work out of basic method books used in band classes, like the Standard of Excellence series. With more experienced students, I utilize standard brass methods, such as the Arban Complete Trombone Method, the Bordogni/Rochut Melodious Etudes, and the Kopprasch 60 Selected Studies. With all of my students, I customize a daily fundamentals routine tailored to their specific needs with various exercises to help solidify each student's technical fluency. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet

A typical lesson with me will be structured like this:Emphasis on basics (scales, studies, tuning, etc)Sight Reading and Ear TrainingLearning techniques through pieces I am always aiming for technical building through the process of working through real music in order to keep lessons fun and engaging. I typically start beginning students with Essential Elements and work through the basics with that approach. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone

I began playing trumpet at a very young age, and have found it, and music in general, to be the most valuable means of communication available to us. I graduated from University of Maryland School of Music December 2014, and have played in a number of bands (both jazz and classical), taught private lessons, and worked as a festival clinician for local schools. I feel that private lessons provide an environment where both student and teacher may learn from each other, and where that knowledge is imparted in a friendly environment at a pace that is comfortable for both of us. Read More