Saxophone Lessons in Woodbury, NJ

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a student progress and develop as a musician! In order for students to be successful they need to be encouraged and challenged throughout their musical studies. In order to do this, it is important to focus on the fundamentals of the instrument, as well as music that peeks the interest of the student. By having a mixture of fundamentals and music the students truly enjoys, they become driven and self-motivated. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I first began teaching while still completing my Bachelors degree at William Paterson in 2011. Most of my students were beginning level piano students, but I had a few more advanced students as well as some people studying saxophone with me. My teaching philosophy is to combine teaching the technique of an instrument with learning songs as well as theory and improvisation/composition. Everyone learns technique, but learning music that I wanted to learn, learning how those songs were written (theory), and eventually elaborating on those songs (improvisation), and writing my own music (composition), was what really got me deeply engaged in the act of practicing and making music, and I have found over several years of teaching that it keeps my students engaged and enjoying the learning process. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone

For all of my students of any age, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements and learning a recognizable song hand picked by the student and approved by me. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce jazz repertoire, sight reading and things like, technical exercises, jazz improvisation, theory, ear training and classical music etudes. I also introduce my students to composition and different musical creation techniques. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Organ Double Bass Keyboard

My roots on the piano go back to classical studies from the age of 5. I switched to Hammond Organ in my 20s, receiving mentorship from several legendary players. While attending Goddard College, I wrote my first book on music theory under a protege of Yusef Lateef, and currently have several books available on Amazon. After recording my debut CD "Remembering Eddie Jefferson" which made the national Jazz charts, I relocated to Tokyo, Japan where I spent many years teaching, performing and hosting Jazz sessions. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Clarinet

For beginning students, I start with Essential Elements, or another comparable method if their band program uses another book. Once the student reaches middle school and has a good concept of fundamentals, we progress to the Himie Voxman Selected Studies and Duets books. For high school and advanced middle school students, I use the Baermann Division III book, the Klose Method, the Rose etudes for clarinet, as well as beginning to introduce appropriate solo repertoire. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet

A typical lesson will include Warm ups (for breath and tone development) Technical exercises (scales, etc.) Etudes (changes weekly) Solo repertoire (long-term study) Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute Clarinet

In my teaching I try to be sensitive to the individual student's needs and desires while stressing the discipline required to reach these goals. The study of music is often a progression of 'ah-ha!' moments where the student experiences an understanding of something they may have struggled with for a period of time. It is the responsibility of a teacher to leaad students to these breakthroughs by presenting a variety of approaches to something a student finds difficult while continuing to motivate them. Read More