Saxophone Lessons in Shelter Island, NY

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

I want my students to succeed, but also make the lessons enjoyable for them. Each student progresses by how much they practice, and their focus during the lessons. I believe that each student progresses at their own pace, and each student should be evaluated for the best method of improvement. I believe in positive reinforcement. Making students aware of their progress is important for self motivation, which I think is essential to learning an instrument. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet Music

The method books I use vary depending on the student and the district they attend. If a student isnt committed to one particular type of method book, I usually suggest the Standard of Excellence series because I feel it has a logical order of progression in terms of concepts. For students interested in learning jazz, I typically use books written by Jim Snidero, Lennie Niehaus, Hal Leonard, and Bob Mintzer just to name a few. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Recorder Piccolo Oboe Keyboard

This is a very tricky topic, because every student learns differently on every ability level therefore, I like to use a combination of various tools. The Essential Elements works great for younger beginners, where the Rubank books are more suited for older or very disciplined students. I like to supplement this with music they might be working on in a school ensemble, or if they have a favorite song they would like to learn, as well as with scale studies and long tones. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Piccolo

I love helping others develop a passion for music! Because of this, I find it highly important to work with each student at their own pace applying techniques that fit their learning style. I combine a variety of techniques and ideas that help keep the lesson engaging and fun for students of all levels and ages. Students can also bring in music they are working on outside of our lessons (band music, original compositions or music they just want to learn) and I can help them improve on the piece. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone

I am a large proponent of fundamentals, and will always encourage students to refine these techniques first. This will include scales, tone production, voicing and overtones, and more! Alongside this will be a combination of student choice pieces and etudes from various books. I like to start with the Melodious and Progressive Studies by David Hite, then progress to Ferling's 48 etudes for more advanced students. Finally, we will also begin adding student choice pieces, as well as some pieces(or transcriptions) from the standard saxophone repertoire! Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Bass Guitar Synthesizer Recorder Piccolo

Personal success and happiness from playing music are the most important things for a student to achieve when taking lessons from me. I will work students hard in lessons, but treat them fairly and expect only what I know they are capable of achieving. I may differ slightly from other teachers in that when it comes to outside practice requirements, as I will teach to he amount of effort the student shows me. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Synthesizer Recorder Piccolo Oboe Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

To me, the student's journey ALWAYS comes first, and I believe that is why I have been able to have been teaching for 20 years. Most of my students stay with me for up to 11 years as I teach them how to speak music fluently by studying several genres and perhaps multiple instruments. I am extremely passionate about each of my students, being very diligent to 'see' the individual for who they are, sculpt and carve a very unique custom path to success on their instrument. Read More