Piano Lessons in Orange, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Saxophone Drums Mallet Percussion

If you have a Music Degree, what is it in (Performance, Education, Musicology, Theory, Composition, etc) and why did you choose that degree?
I went to Berklee school of music and learned the basic theory and history of music. I have studied privately and in those situations learned Orchestration and composition. I currently study with one of the greatest tenor saxophonists and a former band mate Gregory Tardy. Having done much in the business of music I have come to know that degrees are only good for teaching. Usually the degrees are only good for the institution one studied in. A teaching degree in music has become somewhat of a low valued achievement. Unless you get your Doctorate. The state of music in the public school system has dwindled to an embarrassing amount of programs. I know may musicians with degrees who cannot find a teaching position. Whether they are performance or teaching degrees, the market for musicians has become smaller.

What does a normal practice session look like for you?
I practice for more than 4 hours a day and have done so for years. I begin with long tones on the horns and then go to improvisation with mock ups and or etudes I write of my own. i also use the books mentioned for this instrument. For drums I plays beats for as long as possible. All styles possible. For guitar I usually practice picking exercises while doing scales slowly. For trumpet many long tone just to loosen up my embouchure. The trumpet is the hardest of all the instruments. it takes more maintenance than most instruments. Practicing any new phrase as slow as possible is my favorite exercise. Composing is also a part of my practicing regimen.

Do you use specific teaching methods or books? (Ex: Alfred, Bastion, Suzuki, Hal Leonard) Why did you choose them if you did?
For drums I use Thomas Chapins independence methodolgy For piano I use my own simple exercises for beginners. Once we progress I use Hanon, Bach and Chopin. For improvisation and understanding the art of harmony I use several books. Mark Levine the Jazz piano book. Along with transcriptions I have done or use from various books. I use these to analyse the melody and harmony. For trumpet I use Arban's method. I also use transcriptions. For tenor sax I use The Slominsky thesaurus and Jerry Bergonzi books volume 5 and 6. For vibraphone I use my own technical exercises for 4 mallet technique. For guitar I use chord pattern books and Mel Bays encyclopedia of guitar chords and scales.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
Musicality. Having a great technique is helpful, but being musical is always the main ingredient which separates the musician. Once you learn to play an instrument well throwing out the technical expression is best. I have heard musicians who sing or play an instrument with very little technical ability make more music than the well schooled performers. I have heard mechanical performances on every instrument and every genre. When I hear a performance on an instrument that sings no matter how many or how few notes are coming out, then the music is clear. I remember walking through the halls of Julliard with a world renowned pianist Vladimir Ashkenazy and him pointing out the endless machine like performances. I've witnessed the same in Jazz concerts. But then it is a matter of perspective. Musicality first and forever.

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