Trumpet Lessons West

Instruments: Piano, Trumpet, Saxophone, Euphonium

For beginning students, my primary resource is generally the purple Primer level Faber book, however I often use principles of teaching from Simply Music and Piano Safari that allow beginning students to get right into playing some very interesting songs without having to read them. I think reading is important, don't get me wrong. However, I think that the ability to be versatile on the sounds of the piano without the abstraction of music notes can be very helpful for fostering a love for music early on. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Violin, Cello, Viola, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Recorder, Fiddle, French Horn, Piccolo, Oboe

My approach to learning an instruments is to have the students learn to play by ear first before they can start learning to read music. I find that most students are able to progress quickly because it frees them to focus on the playing the instruments rather than reading notes. I consider reading music like different subject that they learn later. Learning music is like learning to speak. First we learn to talk and then we learn to read and write. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Voice, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Drums, Synthesizer, Recorder, French Horn, Tuba, Piccolo, Mallet Percussion, English Horn, Conga, Latin Percussion, Music, Keyboard

I believe in giving the student specific direction towards their ultimate musical goal(s)! I never want to burden the student with additional theoretic facts and/or practices that will not support their vision. It is all about the student and having them arrive at precisely the musical destination that they are desiring. So, I take my time to find that information out up front so that I can be a vital part of them achieving that very goal. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet

With beginning students, I start with the fundamentals of the instrument, including embouchure and finger technique, as well as the ability to breathe properly, which is fundamental to playing any wind instrument.  I also introduce beginning students to basic musical concepts, such as reading music, and tailor the musical selection to their tastes or to whatever group they are playing in, most often a school band class.  For more advanced students, I observe what areas the student needs the most work in and tailor the lessons specifically to dealing with those areas, as well as catering to their individual musical tastes. Read More

Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Trumpet, Saxophone, Clarinet, Drums, Bass Guitar, Harmonica, Ukulele, Music, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar

My teaching style begins with my assessment of each student's abilities, physical, mental, and emotional. By this method I am able to design a realistic program for each student. Patience and encouragement go hand in hand, acknowledging their accomplishments all along the way. Once some fundamentals are established, I add pieces that the student has an interest in learning. In preparing for recitals I often accompany students which adds not only enjoyment for them but encouragement for them to overcome hesitancy to perform publicly. Read More