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25 Years
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Teachers in Network
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Here are just a few of the many teachers offering Clarinet lessons in Los Angeles . Whether you are looking for beginner guitar lessons for your kids, or are an adult wanting to improve your skills, the instructors in our network are ready to help you now!
Instruments: Voice Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder
I have taught music since I was in Highschool. It wasn't just lessons for middle schoolers or young children. I taught and ran my high school's Jazz Band when I was a Junior and Senior. Due to a lack of funding, it was not a regular class, so it was up to me to take the reigns. Since then, I have grown and taught many more private students, but also different schools and places. Read More
Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar
Derek is most known for his association with the John Daversa Big Band. Derek has had the pleasure of meeting and performing with many of his musical heroes. He has recorded live and studio albums with Arturo Sandoval, Jon Faddis, John Fedchock, James Morrison, Greg Gisbert, Roger Ingram, Paul Stephens, Scott Englebright, Donny Dyess, the Tastee Bros, Bernard Wright, Gene Coye, Steve Reid, Kate Reid, Melvin Butler, Ed Calle, Richard Todd, Mike Brignola, Alex Norris, Dante Luciani, John Hart, Martin Bejerano, Chuck Bergeron, Rick Margitza, and appears on the Gary Lindsay album "Are We Still Dreaming" with the South Florida Jazz Orchestra. Read More
Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Piccolo Music
My teaching approach is patient, flexible, and student-centered. I meet each student where they are, tailoring lessons to fit their individual needs, goals, and learning styles. Whether a student is preparing for auditions, learning a new instrument, or playing just for fun, we work together to set meaningful goals and achieve them step by step. I strive to make every lesson fun, engaging, and encouragingso students stay motivated, build confidence, and develop a lifelong love and appreciation of music. Read More
Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet
I started teaching in 2011 back home in Peru, where I had the chance to share the knowledge I adquire at Berklee with students that didn't have the same opportunity as me. Later on, in 2013, I started a workshop series where I had the opportunity to develop my teaching skills privately, and with big groups. I have developed my own methods of teaching Jazz Harmony, Improvisation, saxophone sound and technique, piano for beguinners, etc. Read More
Instruments: Piano Saxophone Clarinet
For beginning piano, I use the thompson and bastien books, along with basic theory books. As the student progresses, I introduce them to actual peices of vaying styles, as soon as they are ready. For saxophone and clarinet, I use multiple books, depending on the student's needs and goals and a host of my own materials and methods I have developed from years of teaching. I always concentrate on learning how to breathe corrctly and produce a smooth and constant airflow to produce a nice, steady, controlled tone. Read More
Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet
I'm a passionate and motivated instructor who loves working with students and sharing my love of music. Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel a students desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. Read More
Instruments: Guitar Saxophone Flute Clarinet Ukulele Recorder Music Acoustic Guitar
Have any of your students won awards or been selected for special honors? How have they succeeded?
Yes! I've had a number of students awards and honors. Those include: San Diego Honor Band, New Mexico All State, New Mexico All State Jazz, and received top marks for the Associated British Royal Schools of Music
What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
One of the most challenging things to master on saxophone (and many instruments) is consistent control and and sound quality throughout the range of the horn. Every note has a slightly different character, and I believe the difference between a student and a master is the ability to hear those differences and start to create more cohesive and unified sound, no matter where you are on the instrument.
How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
Really important question. If anyone over the age of 8 states, "I want to learn the _____," then they're ready. Some teachers are willing to start younger. I've found that I'm a more effective teacher for students that are 8 or older
Does music run in your family? Tell us a little about your musical family members.
Yes, I can trace my musicality through my family. My mom was an avid amateur musician, and her mother (my grandmother) was actually a song writer who wrote under the pen name Edith Fields!
If you weren't a musician what do you think you'd be doing instead?
Great question! I actually am engaged in several activities outside of music: I train and perform partner acrobatics and other circus arts, and am an Executive Assistant for business professionals.
Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
It depends on the student. As a foundation, I like to use the "Rubank Method" and the "Standard of Excellence" books. After we get through those, I start to introduce standard pieces within the classical repertoire, or, if the student has a specific interest, start to work on other styles of music (Jazz, Funk, etc).
What does a normal practice session look like for you?
A normal practice session generally looks like scale practice, range exploration, crack downs (an exercise I got from a past teacher that I LOVE), altissimo practice, classical practice, improvisation, and sometimes tune learning, depending on what's coming up
What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Do a little bit everyday. Music is a language, and the more regular exposure you have to creating it, the better. A 15-30 minute session every day is FAR more valuable than an hour+ session once a week. When you practice anything, you create pathways in your mind. The more you practice, the more efficient these pathways become. After six month of regular practice, that pathway might look like a well manicured forest trail. After six year, you might have something like a two or four lane roadway (or bigger if you practice everyday!). After 15+ years of REGULAR practice, you can bet there are some super highways related to music making and expression that have developed. Do a little bit everyday.
When will I start to see results?
I believe that teachers are guides; it is our job to continuously point the way and correct the students course, much like a sailor corrects the course of their ship. If a student incorporates my guidance and practices daily, then they will see results within 48 hours of our first lesson. If my suggestions and guidance are not heeded, progress will be MUCH slower. The number one thing is daily practice. Music is a language, and one needs constant exposure to see any improvement. This includes both music making and listening. Practice, practice, practice!
25 Years
Since We Started
41,456+
Happy Customers
10,769
Cities with Students
3,123
Teachers in Network
Trusted as the industry leader, for over 21 years the teachers in our network have been providing Clarinet lessons in Los Angeles to students of all ages and abilities.
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