Trumpet Lessons in Mill Neck, NY

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone

When I'm working with a student, I want to know everything I can about them as a person; this will inform their growth as a musician, artist and music lover. I am to set realistic expectations for my students, aiming not to frustrate but to celebrate every step taken. In the end, if students can teach themselves and want to learn more about their instrument or any sort of music, I feel like I've done my job. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

I successful warm up exercises for all of my students. These exercises typical touch on the basics fundamentals that are incorporated in playing trumpet. Long tones to develop sound and tone... Lip Slurs to develop flexibility and strength of embochure muscles. As we develop the basics, we will progress through First Book of Practical Studies for Cornet and Trumpet by Robert W. Getchel. All while paying close attention to tone production and facilitating articulations. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I typically create my own lesson plans and try to cater them to the student. Most recently I've been working with trying to find a balance of teaching music theory and practical piano. When teaching theory, I often refer to Kotska's and Payne's "Tonal Harmony" for the order of the curriculum, and when it comes to exercises I will either write them out on the spot to demonstrate something to the student (I also feel it is important to SHOW the student how to MAKE music, ie. proper note notation, and symbol shape), or prepare them in advance if the content is more complex. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

I am very flexible on my teaching methods. My methods really differ for each student and their needs and wants. It is important to teach 10 year olds and 30 year olds differently! I like to make the trumpet fun, because that is what music is all about right? For beginners we might work on songs they may know and find fun and can tell their friends about at school. For adults I would do the same but make it more difficult and go further into what they may want to learn. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

The best lesson I learned before attending college, my trumpet teacher taught me, "If you sound good while practicing, you're not really practicing", which I make sure to mention multiple times. I never try to overload my students with too much material, but instead try to understand what they would like to learn, and develop lessons and exercises from that. Brass instruments require commitment, and although difficult, playing should seem fun, instead of a chore. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium Tuba

My teaching experience began during my college years, where I was granted the opportunity to work closely with young students in one on one settings as part of my practical courses, since then student teaching and a leave replacement position at Raynor Country Day School in Speonk have given me the opportunity to develop my skill set as a teacher and find new and exciting ways to challenge my students to develop as musicians. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

For beginning piano students, I use a series of books designed for beginners called Dozen a Day. It is very organized and it teaches the student in a very clear way. For my trumpet students I use Arbans, Clarkes. Schlossberg, and 45 years of experience playing trumpet. As to a philosophy of teaching, I believe in never ever being mean to the student as that causes a negative experience. Instead of the mean strict scolding method, I prefer an upbeat positive 'you can do it ' approach!! Read More