Music Lessons in Southside, NC

Instruments: Trumpet

For beginner and even some intermediate students I like the Sigmund Hering Method. I also love Embouchure Builder by Lowell Little. For high school players I like to introduce more solo material and advanced method books including The Claude Gordon Systematic Approach and books by Charles Colin, Earl Irons and Herbert Clarke. While i believe there are certain basic of play the trumpet that are accepted worldwide i do not believe there is only one correct method and encourage my students to incorporate several methods to create their own personal sound. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I use a variety of standard drum method books such as "Stick Control" by George Lawerence. I also DVD's and other multi media for lessons. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Trumpet Trombone Ukulele

I start with the end in mind. Once your student has established clear, realistic goals with me, all the focus is on reaching those goals. It is also made clear that it is the student's responsibility to come into each lesson showing clear evidence that they've practiced the music. I'm stern about this. If the student hasn't put in the time, I will send the student home mid-lesson and they lose that lesson. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Saxophone Drums Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion Music Djembe

I create my own lesson plans (and some materials) specific to each student. Some standard books I use are Alfred's Drum Method book 1, The New Breed, Portraits in Rhythm, The Drummer's Complete Vocabulary to name a few. The books are necessary for developing music literacy, however I remind students that the pages don't make sound!!! Developing a discerning ear is paramount in my approach. Therefore we do a lot of listening and I engage students in dialogue for them to develop a personalized mental image of what they are trying to play. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Piccolo Oboe English Horn

For beginning students, we will spend a good amount of the first few lessons in developing core fundamentals. Once we have a solid foundation, I will start to add in some exercises. I work out of many books to expose my students to different methods of playing. For more advanced students, I will work with them on developing more characteristic sounds. We will also dive into deeper topics such as tone color, articulation style, and period specific styles. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Acoustic Guitar

I am a passionate teacher and performer that loves paying back the knowledge that I have had over the years. Professionally I have played in orchestras and every genre of music group trumpet, piano, guitar. Over 15 years I was a co Director of a music school that had thousands of students throughout those fifteen years that have gone on to professional and amateur music careers that have led them to play with professional groups and many other world renowned opportunities in travel and music development I am happy to pass that knowledge to the student who is looking for either professional or amateur venues of playing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion

For beginning drum students, I typically like to start with the Percussive Arts Society sheet of rudiments to ensure a solid technical background as the student progresses. After that, we move on to simple reading and other drumming fundamental concepts including limb coordination, fills, phrasing and articulation, etc. With older students, I find it helpful to try and begin with what they are interested and comfortable in playing. This allows me to find connections and build lesson plans specifically for the individual. Read More