Clarinet Lessons in Rutherford, NJ

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Hello, my name is John and I teach Private Music Lessons in and around New York City. I offer lessons in Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Piano and subjects such as Music Theory, Improvisation, Music History, and other areas. Biography: John is a musician based primarily in New York City, and was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. After finishing his undergraduate music studies at Florida State University where he received a BA in Jazz Studies, John is now pursuing his masters degree at the Manhattan School of Music. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Bassoon

My teaching process looks like a mountain stream. We start at the top of the mountain, and the goal is to get to the bottom. As I teach using my tried and true techniques, we make our way down, but when I notice that my student needs extra help, or should be pushed more, we detour into another stream until we can return to our main path. Sometimes, we diverge immediately and continue down different paths until we make it to the bottom anyway! Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Keyboard

I typically tailor my lesson plans to the needs of the student. In general, I will allocate appropriate Etudes, Scales, and Repertoire that is inline with their abilities and the standards of their particular instrument. If they are preparing for an upcoming performance or audition, that may take precedent. But I also think there is equal need for unstructured time that allows students to explore music as a creativity medium via music listening, exploratory exercises, improvisation, or even composition. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

Regarding the actual, music-making process: one of my biggest skills as a musician is creating coherent and beautiful phrases, and one of my biggest skills as a teacher is helping students find organic phrasing. Everyone has their own voice and style, and with the right prompting they can use that voice to express their music to the fullest extent. Methods I regularly refer to include the Rubank Series, Baermann Scales Method, Klose, Langenus, The Chromatic Machine by Kalman Opperman, and countless other exercises I have picked up from past teachers including Charles Neidich Dr. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder

I have taught at all levels, from pre-school through college. I have taught these levels privately, and in group environments, My college teaching experiences include Seton Hall, Bergen Community College, an Fairleigh Dickenson University, My public school teaching included Paterson, and also several Catholic schools, including St. Andrew's in Clifton, St. Anne's in Fair Lawn, and St. Thomas in Midland Park. I played in the The North Jersey Orchestra, The Bergen Syphony, and the Adelphi Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder

I want students to learn what they're most interested in, with the caveat that I can teacg them a "song" or I can teach them the instrument and they can play any song. Whenever I can I play duets with the students. It makes what they're doing sound more like music. And I make mistakes. That shows that mistakes are no big deal (1 wrong note is a mistake. Make the same mistake repeatedly, you're doing it wrong). Read More