Jacob S
5.0
(4)
Instruments: Saxophone, Clarinet, Oboe
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Bossa Nova
Jacob S
5.0
(4)
Instruments: Saxophone, Clarinet, Oboe
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Bossa Nova
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 9-80
Course Work: US Army Element School of Music
Like many of you I started playing in grade school. I wanted to play trumpet but I didn't turn in my permission slip in time so I had to wait another year. The next time I chose saxophone. I had a really wonderful instrumental music teacher who I credit to me being a musician today. She gets real embarrassed when I tell people that but it's true. I guess that's what inspires me to teach, I had a good teacher! In high school I took private lessons with another wonderful teacher who had graduated from Berklee. The foundation he gave me I still use to this day.
My teaching experience started while serving in the army as a saxophone, oboe, and clarinet player. The local music store referred middle school and high school students to me. I like to start students out with what they are already working on. If they are preparing for a concert in school or have a certain method book, that's where I assess their skills. I have had several teachers that made me feel like I couldn't wait for next weeks lesson. That's the feeling I strive to provide for my students. If a student dreads his/her lesson you are doing something wrong.
My teaching method starts with whatever the school is using. I don't want to contradict their music teacher. If they don't have a teacher at school then I will recommend a method book depending on their level. I don't believe in teaching beginners that there are easy scales and hard scales. A mistake many teachers make is conditioning students to believe that a C scale is easy and a F# scale is hard. Scales are scales. If the first scale you learn is B, then it isn't hard. I like teaching beginners the chromatic scale. Now they know all the notes and we can work on learning any scale. Ending all lessons playing duets with your student is a great way to end the lesson on a positive note. Not to mention the parents love hearing their child perform with their teacher.
My teaching style is very straight forward. I like to start every lesson with what I gave as an assignment the week before. It's always something very attainable. I also like to assign something that makes the student test their abilities. If the more challenging piece isn't quite there, they work on it again the following week. That way they can see progress in one or more areas but also understand that some music takes more work. I highly recommend that students practice 15 to 30 minutes a day for beginners. That might not seem like much but if they are practicing correctly and frequently their progress is amazing. I love taking a piece of music a student may be working on in school or on their own if they are an adult and show them how their lessons help them play that music better.
Kayla H.
Mr. Jacob was so helpful with the lessons! He explains things well, and doesn't move on until you're ready. At the same time, he encourages you to push yourself and keep trying. I really liked that he brings his own saxophone to demonstrate if needed-duets were fun! The only reason I stopped was because of my personal schedule. I will definitely be back and would like to resume lessons in the future!
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