Clarinet Lessons in Belmont Hills, PA

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

From there we learn simple songs -- sometimes by ear, and sometimes by reading music (both are valuable skills to have). From there we learn how those songs we learned are built. This is the theory part. Once a student has a rudimental understanding of theory they can begin to compose their own songs! When this is done spontaneously people refer to it as improvisation, but don't let the names fool you. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I began teaching private lessons at the beginning of my time at Michigan State University. I have experience teaching all ages and skill levels including very young first timers up to experienced adults. In addition to private lessons, I have taught at the Apprentices in Jazz Workshop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida as a woodwind instructor, improvisation teacher, as well as big band director. While I am most experienced in Jazz, I love playing and teaching all types of music! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Clarinet Bass Guitar Double Bass

In regards to teaching style, I am persistant with practice, while understanding of ability. This is a method that is applied by setting goals and following a direction that introduces and builds upon ideas, all while taking the student's progress and aptitude into account. I often try to balance out the harder, sometimes tedious work of technique and theory with songs that the student requests or shows interest in playing. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

For students just starting I like to use the Rubank Method Books to establish solid fundamentals. As students progress I like to base the lessons on the needs and interests of my students. I like to have students play a variety of types of music. This includes classic, jazz, pop, rock and more. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

A typical lesson will include Warm ups (for breath and tone development) Technical exercises (scales, etc.) Etudes (changes weekly) Solo repertoire (long-term study) Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Keyboard

While my lessons are catered to each individual student, each follows a general curriculum that I have developed over the years through teaching. Method books are a great structured way to quickly get confident on an instrument, however they don't often encourage listening skills or creativity. This is why I structure my lessons around particular method books like Rubank or Faber while providing additional pieces, exercises, and improvising to supplement the book. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Synthesizer Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Acoustic Guitar

For my beginning piano students, I emphasize the twelve major and minor scales with proper fingering, first one octave and then two octaves. These exercises strengthens fingers and create more familiarity with the keyboard. I use the book, Level 1 The Older Beginner Piano Course by James Bastien and the companion book, Musicianship for the Older Beginner. I have seen results when these books are used in tandem. The student increases in technique and start to master music theory simultaneously. Read More