Music Lessons in Alden, NY

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

The first thing a teacher must do is figure out how to motivate a student to practice. This can be done differently for different students. I will list some things that I have found that work. 1) Set a practice schedule/timer/alarm 2) I work on mindset and practice techniques to reduce practice session frustration/anxiety and increase positivity and feel good emotions 3) The student selects songs to practice in addition to scales, lesson book or repertoire 4) Parental support and priority 5) Listening to music outside of lesson 6) Practice one concept at a time 7) Limit faster passages to smaller groups of notes, practice slow with different patterns. 8) more in lesson!....... Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

To me, it's important that my students not only gain an understanding of technique and theory, but also an appreciation for the spirit and philosophy of music-making. Whether this includes conversation about each student's unique aesthetic or vision, or the general principles involving listening, leaving space, and communing with other musicians on an almost spiritual level, I do try to integrate at least a little of this type of discussion in my lessons. Read More

Instruments: Drums Djembe

After college, I was given the opportunity to teach at Centre Music--the community music school where I received my first drum lessons back when I started. I loved this opportunity for it was a chance for me to give back to the place that got me started with studying drums formally. My students were incredibly inspiring and after this experience I decided that teaching was something that I was going to be doing for a very long time after. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I primarily teach the saxophone to younger students, and in this area I emphasize the fundamentals of tone production and the development of the musical imagination. My thinking here is simple: if you understand how the instrument works and you can imagine how something should sound, it takes only a matter of experimentation and diligence to achieve your goals. If the student is prepared to do this, I am there as an enthusiastic supporter and facilitator. Read More

Instruments: Clarinet

I have experience with teaching all ages and demographics, and I enjoy teaching a diversity of students. Please don't hesitate to reach out about taking clarinet lessons with me. I am an encouraging and fun teacher who caters my teaching style to the needs of the student, and I work with students to accomplish long term and short term goals. I have extensive knowledge of solo and ensemble repertoire and method books. Read More

Instruments: Drums

A lot of teachers that I have dealt with were very rude, and terrible at teaching. My approach is more so trying to build a stable foundation and give the necessary tools to become a great musician! I not only teach you how to play the drums and how to hold the sticks etc, but I also teach how to get gigs, how to get people to notice you, what it means to have your own rider, how to promote your own brand etc. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Interestingly enough, my musical background has proven to be of great value to me. Anywhere from learning music theory on a deep level, to having the wonderful privilege of being able to appreciate the whole world as music via having trained musical ears. There were a few colleges that helped me out with gaining these skills, and even though they were state schools, I had the honor of meeting and learning from amazingly caring and worthwhile professors. Read More