Trumpet Lessons in Wood Ridge Garfield, NJ

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet

For trumpet students I initially provide my own material, based on the exercises which I have found to be beneficial in my own playing. Early on, I'll ask most students to play a recording of one of their favorite songs, which we'll use to improvise to as well as for ear-training purposes. As soon as the student has learned enough notes, we'll begin playing songs. I firmly believe that developing a good sense of a singing style is the foundation for good playing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

The approach I take is individualized and utilizes multiple teaching methods. Every student brings unique qualities and different interests and it is my job to find a way to connect those qualities and interests to music. One thing I emphasize is continued learning. If we are working on fundamentals of piano technique I find a way to slowly introduce more concepts that will be developed later on in our lessons. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Trombone Euphonium French Horn Tuba

I directly relate my teaching methods to Dr. Jan Kagrice, the founder of Musician's Wellness of North America; an organization that rehabilitates musicians with conditions that affect their ability to play their instruments. I've continued her teachings of a relaxed, observational form of playing, which basically means that my students learn how to play a brass instrument with the least amount of effort possible with the best sound possible. The method is also very body-oriented, with healthy stretches and focus on a sustainable way to play these instruments. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet

Here are the things that I want to impart to my piano students in their first 10 weeks of lessons: That I love music and I love teaching them That music lessons are creative and exploratory That creating music is fun and easy That music can tell stories That music is more than pushing down keys That music is art and involves dynamics, speed, feeling, etc. That singing and moving to music is just a part of how we do things in music education That playing the piano the right way (ie. with the right technique) is really important The importance of understanding, feeling and moving to meter (duple/triple) The concept of home, tonic/dominant tonalities and being able to hear and create bass lines That music is made up of chords, patterns, and melodies That they can transpose music into different keys I use Alfred Piano Method, it also dives into intervallic reading, as described above. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Flute Piccolo

The bulk of my experience comes from eleven years of performance, in which I have been exposed to the vast majority of flute literature, ranging from standard solo repertoire, to chamber music (flute ensemble/woodwind quintet/flute quartets), to orchestra masterpieces, and to broadway pit orchestras. During my time at Vassar, I was able to teach four other undergraduate students who could not afford to take lessons through the music department. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Saxophone

For beginning students, I start with Accent on Achievement, book one. Once the student has gotten a grasp of the fundamentals, I then introduce solo repertoire that is appropriate for the student. I will always reference the method book if students are having trouble with a certain technique. For beginning jazz students, I start with the Greg Fishman Jazz books. Once students have mastered this book, I then switch to the omnibook and real book and allow students to learn and try to improvise a solo. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

I've had a number of devoted teachers and being in New York there's always a chance to learn something new by simply saying hello to a musician. I look at teaching as sharing information enthusiastically and giving a student a chance to check in about issues they're dealing with relating to the instrument, music in general, and psychology of performance. I'm a student of the directions I was nudged towards by several key teachers. Read More