Clarinet Lessons in Yardley, PA

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I should start off by saying each student is unique, and since the lessons are one on one, my approach to each student will be unique. That being said, there are certain skill-sets and areas of focus that every student should learn. For complete beginners, I start off with technique. What is good posture? What is good hand position? How do you form a proper embouchure and produce a supported airstream? 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: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums

My teaching style revolves around the individual student. Every student must practice daily and enjoy practicing, so astudent's success comes from my encouragement and instruction. Each student brings a desire to learn how to play an instrument and my goal is to assist them in understanding and being able to playthat instrument. I conistently tailor my instruction to the student's ability and also remain consistent in my standards of teaching. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

Comprehensive method individually structured for each student.  Books depending on level and age start with Standard of Excellence and are individually chosen to support the student. For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music Keyboard

I focus on tone production, articulation and phrasing. Sight reading, improvisation and music theory follow next. With clarinet and saxophone students I spend a lot of time on reed selection and care. There are so many misconceptions about reed strength and how it relates to mouthpieces that I could talk about it all day (and usually do). I work on clarinets and saxophones every day and consider myself proficient in identifying problems with instruments and then fixing those problems. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

I believe that the first thing you have to have is a good fundamental foundation. I always start with breathing correctly and assembling the instrument before playing notes. The core concepts I teach in the beginning are tone, dexterity, and tonguing. As for specific exercises, no two students are the same. I assign or create exercises based on the specific student's needs as a player. 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