Piano Lessons in Napa, CA

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Music

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
The hardest thing to master on the saxophone is the tone. Tone is the defining factor between good players and great players. A saxophone teacher once told me that he could tell the level of a player by their first three notes. I didn't believe him until I became a teacher and understood that tone has a huge role to play in a player's skill level. The saxophone allows for so much nuance in the sound. It takes years to develop your technique and there is no shortcut. You can instantly distinguish the amount of time someone has dedicated to their instrument (any instrument really) by their tone.

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
My music degrees are in Jazz and Jazz Studies. Though I am a big advocate for the study of Jazz, what really drew me to this major was the versatility that it allows. Jazz music has been a basis for so many other genres including pop, rock, RnB, soul, funk, etc. It also has its roots in classical music with Romantic composers like Debussy and Ravel. The level of ability required jazz improvisation far exceeds that of simply interpreting music. Jazz is a performance medium and a method of composition and theory that builds on Classical music. It encourages Musicology and Music History for more informed performance. Ultimately, I felt that I could get a more comprehensive education and more employment opportunities by studying jazz rather than other majors.

Why did you choose your primary instrument?
My primary instrument is saxophone. Before playing sax, I had learned piano, clarinet and trombone, respectively. My mother encouraged me to choose an instrument that she felt was more graceful for playing in a church. Luckily, it had also been a popular instrument with my friends at school so I was more inclined to switch. Having a late start made learning sax difficult though. I could not play a note for at least a week but when I finally did it, I was so excited for my very first step that I just had to continue. The rest is history.

When will I start to see results?
Depending on your skill level, you can see results in as little as one lesson. Beginners usually have a period of rapid growth at first and become disappointed once they've improved and don't see the same results. Realistically, the rate of growth slows as a player increases in skill level. It takes twice the work to get half as far. But don't forget! If you are at the intermediate level, how you sounded at your first lesson! Use your previous experience to encourage your growth and remember that consistent practice routines are essential for consistent growth.

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
During my time as an undergrad, I felt that one teacher taught me more than I had ever learned before. He taught jazz theory, composition and arranging. Though I already had a decent understanding, this teacher really took my game to the next level. He was meticulous about feedback to students but always encouraging. He provided creative opportunities to have our compositions performed and recorded that fueled my passion for arranging and I still use the skills he taught on a daily basis. I can honestly say that his passion for teaching launched my musical career.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
Develop a routine for practice that works for you in short sessions. Focus on one particular aspect of your playing to improve. For example, if one bar of music or one scale gives you the most trouble, work on only that for 10 minutes. Ten minutes of focused practice is better than an hour unfocused. Start by playing it as slow as you need to go without making a mistake. Gradually increase the tempo once you feel confident. If you make a mistake, decrease the tempo again. Avoid playing passages that you are comfortable with as they will waste valuable practice time (i.e. starting from the beginning over and over). Also, use creative approaches to practicing a passage such as playing it backwards, changing the rhythm, changing articulation. Your brain will learn to process the information differently allowing for better absorption of the material.

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