Trumpet Lessons in Haywood, VA

Instruments: Trumpet French Horn Music

We will work at the pace of the students. I will always make a portfolio on a students specific progress and will make weekly plans to accomplish in our lessons. It is my goal to make the student feel that they are progressing and achieving success at their own pace. I am a very relaxed teacher, if there is something the student is interested in we will cover it and be flexible with goals. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet French Horn Oboe Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students I start with basics: learning how to hold the instrument, put it together, etc. Then when that is solid we learn a few notes. From there we go to the Rubank books. At the same time, we start reading music that I find appropriate for them. For adults, it depends on what they want to learn. Popular songs or songs they request. But I also push for technical mastery of the instrument so I push for knowledge of scales and then keep pushing with more challenging/fun pieces. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

I am primarily a trumpet player, although I am versed in other instruments as well. I attended Manhattan School Music and studied with some of the best trumpet professors and players in the country. While living in New York, I played in all sorts of groups from Orchestras to Jazz bands to Salsa. Since moving to this area I have expanded the styles I have played to include Blues, Reggae, Disco, RB, Wedding Bands, Hip Hop, etc. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Keyboard

If the student is interested in jazz, I typically use Jim Snidero's "Jazz Conception" books as a great starting place to learn about interpreting jazz music as well as a basis for starting to talk about improvisation. Continuing from there, jazz students will start to learn jazz "standards" from the Great American Songbook and discussions of improvisation will go deeper. With all students, it is important to discover what they are interested in and encourage that interest. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

In addition, I consider it of paramount importance to coach performers of all levels to “make music” rather than to merely play the notes on the page: Whether the goal be to prepare him or her for solo and ensemble competitions, concert music, jazz studies or the occasional religious service, conveying the significance of everyone’s own personal interpretation of a composition while performing it is what makes music come alive. 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

I have been a music educator for seven years in the public school system in Virginia and have been teaching private trumpet lessons for 16 years. My students have achieved on different levels and have been accepted to major music universities along the east coast including JMU, VCU, UVA and Berklee College of Music. I currently teach online lessons out of my home. I am happily married to my wife Lindsay and we have a daughter as well as a dog, who sometimes might make a guest appearance in our lessons! Read More