Trumpet Lessons in Holbrook, NY

Instruments: Trumpet

Some of my favorite and most rewarding feelings in life have been when students have an "aha!" moment. These moments come after consistent engagement with a concept. Thats why I encourage daily practice (of any length, as long as its daily.) I balance grunt work with fun work, making sure that students are learning music THEY want to learn. My lessons usually begin with a short warm up, followed by a review of the goals set last week, followed by the introduction development of a new concept(or two), and concluding with a setting of goals for the next lesson, with the answering of questions all in between. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

As a teacher, I try and strike a balance between structure and expression. And to that end, I believe a student needs to play trumpet every day- it doesn't have to be much, but because it's both physical and mental exercise, it's good to stay with it. For beginners and youngsters, 15-30min per day is usually a good target and as their expertise and enjoyment increase, practice time goes up seamlessly. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harmonica Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Double Bass Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

You can also improvise on songs that you hear on the radio without knowing the key of the song just by getting a feel of how the song sounds and you will find the notes on your instrument and start jamming to the songs you hear on the radio. Having a good memory will also help you with that. If you don't know the chord progression for the 1st verse of a song, usually, the 2nd verse has the same progression. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Music

With the trumpet it is extremely important to avoid developing bad habits and to implement proper technique in order for appropriate muscle memory to set in. At any level it is important to ensure that proper technique is understood and implemented. These techniques take a personal touch from a seasoned professional to assess and explain. To further develop a solid foundation of sound fundamentals I work incrementally out of the Arban's Clark technique books. (As well as others) These books cover all aspects of a fundamentally sound trumpet player in an enjoyable way with progressively more challenging exercises. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

Students will always start with fundamentals to ensure a steady foundation. The exact materials may vary, but I usually create the specific exercises that students need to work on week to week. Each part of their individual practice session will have an 'aim' for students to focus on while they are playing. By teaching thoughtful practice, students can avoid wasted practice time and find success at more frequent intervals. Songs, solos, or etudes will be added in on a regular basis and focus on a technique the student is currently working on. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Music

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements or other method books that they have been using. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo trumpet repertoire as well as popular tunes that will easily engage with them. In addition, I will include some technical exercises to master their skills and endurance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

My teaching style is relaxed, encouraging, informal, and fun. I find that young people tend to pay the most attention when the person relaying the info has more of a big brother/sister relationship with the student, rather than a more rigid authoritarian approach. If they think of me as just another adult trying to make them do things they don't think are fun, then music will never be fun. Read More