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Ric F In Home
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5
  5.0 (39)

Instruments: Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Salsa, Spirituals, Reggae, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band

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Ric F  
5
  5.0 (39)
In Home
Instruments: Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Country, R&B, Gospel, Musical Theater, Latin, Funk, Hip Hop, Salsa, Spirituals, Reggae, Merengue, Latin Jazz, Swing, New Age, Bossa Nova, Soul, Marching Band

Where I Teach:
In Your Home
Ages Taught: 5-80
Levels Taught:

EMAIL US OR CALL 877-687-4524

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ABOUT
Degrees / Training / Special Info:

Ithaca College, Music Education, One(1) year scholarship

Awards:

1981-1993: Music director for URCS (a private school in Long Island, NY). Developed pedagogy and taught the high school band and choir. August 1992: Performed for 2 weeks at Billy Joel’s series special for the L.I. fishermen. Performed and worked arrangements with Billy Joel, Foreigner, & Paul Simon.  December 1993: Recorded & performed on Phil Driscoll’s Grammy nominated album “Warriors”(Word Label 1994). Wrote all the horn arrangements and played trombone.  2004: Recorded & performed on John Lee Hooker, Jr’s Grammy nominated album “Blues With A Vengeance” (Kent Label 2004). Performed on the trombone. IN January 2013, on tour in Algeria with John Lee Hooker, Jr. in conjunction with US Embassy in Algiers, Algeria. Also did two more albums with Mr. Hooker. March 2013: Recorded & performed on Latin Rhythm Boys’ album “Year Of The Cuatro” (Miranda Bros Label 2013). Wrote horn arrangements. Performed vocals & trombone. 

Overview:

I'm a passionate professional performer and teacher with extensive real world music industry experience. Performing with various artists from all differing genres, both live performance and on records, yields results with my students. I give my students all the necessary keys needed to succeed on their instrument. Having been a major player on projects with two Grammy nominated artists (John Lee Hooker, Jr and Phil Driscoll) and having performed live with Billy Joel and Paul Simon has given me a different perspective on what is needed to be successful. I will communicate this to all my students.

EXPERIENCE

From 1981-1993, I was the music director for URCS, a private school in Long Island, NY. I developed pedagogy and taught the high school band and choir. Since 1985, I have taught private lessons. Many of my students have gone on to be professionals in the industry. I absolutely love seeing my students click with understanding on their faces when they get the next piece of the puzzle they may have been missing regarding their playing. At those times, they jump two or three levels in their playing. That's the most fun for me as a teacher and I feel I've done my job.

METHODS USED
I use a two pronged approach to my lessons. I start with fundamentals, especially focusing on two areas: sound and counting. 1.) Sound: Over the last 34 years, I've found that the student who does not sound good - even though he or she can play all notes and rhythms - will not be pleasing to anyone who hears them play. What good is it if he can play all rhythms and notes and sound bad? So I endeavor to strive first for great sound. 2. Counting: Furthermore, horn players play in horn sections about 90% of the time. Therefore, it is critical that the horn player count extremely accurate so that the section is tight. Also, on live shows or recording sessions, accuracy and execution is imperative for a good performance. So I lay a counting foundation and delve deeply into the subject. Sound and Counting, then everything else. Number two--After fundamentals, I utilize a keyboard and "perform" with you various pieces of music. This helps to grow you as a performer, that you can play with others. Very important. So we perform jazz sessions, classical, R&B, etc.
LESSON STYLE
My style is very simple: Dare to be great. I have found that performance in music is believing in yourself. That can only come when you have been taught good fundamentals coupled with freedom of expression to make mistakes. Only then, we have breakthroughs. Only then, we start having fun. Only then, we have the courage to be great. Then you are great. ...and the rest is history. Having said that, I inspire, not drive, my students. My students fall in love with music and frankly they fall in love with me. Why? Because we, together, create beautiful music together and have fun and inspiring times. Teachers that drive their students to play and do homework produce people that give up on their instruments and then talk to me when they're 30 yrs old, filled with regret that they didn't continue. Not their fault! They were driven to hate their instrument. My students and I have a lifelong relationship. I still communicate with a lot of my students from the 80's and 90's. Yes, they still play. Yay!
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
PHOTOS & VIDEOS
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RATING & REVIEWS
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Puja Sharma

5

Ric is great in teaching my son. I would recommend him to everyone.

Laurie

5

RIc is great. He makes the lessons so fun, and my son is learning a lot. My son looks forward to his lesson every week.

Kristine

5

Ric is great with our kids. He is very patient and positive in his approach. They enjoy their lessons and I can see improvement already!

Mala

5

Great! My daughter seems happy and practices regularly.

Paula Chacon

5

I've always said, "It's all about the teacher." That skillful, effective teacher who can reach that child and ignite her passion, is truly a gift. Ric does that for my daughter. As a former music teacher myself, the most challenging thing in working with children is how to build their fundamental musical skills while letting them have fun and be expressive. The teacher must create a safe, supportive environment, and Ric does that. Ric immediately focuses on fundamentals of tone and technique, giving my daughter succinct instruction on how to improve, thus she can sense the improvement immediately. Ric seems extremely easy going; even when lighting a fire under her sometimes under-achieving butt, Ric never criticizes, judges or blames. He works with my child, understanding her, helping her problem solve, and even giving her the quick answer sometimes so she can move quickly and stay motivated. Ric balances fundamentals with fun and expressiveness, so my child feels as though she can 'play' and they truly make music in every lesson. I am thankful we found a good match with Ric.

Chantal Thao

5

Ric has been teaching trumpet to our grandson for a few months now and it has been a very positive experience. Our grandson playing technique improved a lot and Ric made each lesson fun and inspirational. Great teacher.

Christine Baker

5

Ric has been teaching our son for almost a year and he has absolutely improved his abilities, built his confidence and increased his enjoyment of playing music. Wanting to supplement the instruction our son was getting at school, Ric has far exceeded our expectations. Ric has a patient approach to his lessons and is able to correct without being critical. Along with good techniques, Ric shares tips and tricks that make my son that much more self assured. Ric is always bringing in new music to keep the play fresh. The choice of Jazz music and Ric’s piano accompaniment of my son has the entire family humming the tunes for days to come. If your child is interested in music, Ric will build on that motivation and have them playing with confidence. We highly recommend Ric as a teacher for your child.

Parkerbates

5

We have had three flute lessons with Ric and could not be more pleased. Ric is patient, kind, and very professional. My 11 year old daughter is progressing nicely and her confident smile says it all. Highly recommend...

Uyen Nguyen

5

I think Ric is a good match to my son, Evan. In addition to his expertise and many years of experience in teaching, Ric is nice, soft spoken, and patience. This is a plus when someone is teaching kids. I would recommend Ric if my friends need a wind instrument teacher.

JJ Jade

5

We are very fortunate to have Ric be our son's first saxophone teacher. His passion to music is obvious, his music performance and arrangement experience broadered kids view of music. He works very well with kids, what my son loves the best is everytime he would play piano or keyboard so kid would play to the music throghout the lesson time. Also he gives kids some famous music piece that he arranges himself that suits student current level, my son likes those pieces a lot and often practise with enthusiastic. 6 months with Ric he already plays great Jazz sax. We are so happy with his progress.

Satisfied Parent

5

Ric is an excellent teacher. He is also a professional musician who likes to share his knowledge and skills, which he does very well. He teaches a well-balanced mix of basic exercises and more interesting music pieces; often jazz tunes which he has arranged himself. Our son likes his lessons and he makes good progress in learning how to play trumpet. We can strongly recommend Ric.

Katie T

5

We love Ric! Our son, a beginning trombone player, has improved immeasurably with Ric's help. He is a pleasure to listen to now. Ric is very patient and thorough. And reliable. We are very happy to have found him with just a few clicks. What luck!

Barbara Kidder

5

Ric is a great teacher, in part because he is a working musician who clearly is passionate about what he does. He is also very kind and patient with the kids. He teaches my son trumpet and my daughter trombone. After just a few weeks, they have already learned some latin jazz, funk and traditional pieces, in addition to improving their skills. We are very happy.

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