Trumpet Lessons in Hastings On Hudson, NY

Instruments: Trumpet

In college, I started giving out lessons to Music Education friends who were learning trumpet for their brass profiency. I also gave some lessons to a friend who had no prior brass experience, and that experience was the main point in how I developed my beginner lessons. While rehearsing and practicing, I make sure to make exercises and the "maintenance" portion of trumpet interesting. Also, while in colle, for 3 years I worked as a Teacher's Assistant for a high school big band. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Bass Guitar Double Bass

I divided my lesson in four parts: Make find your own sound, Technique, HarmonyEar Training, Repertoire. If you are beginner student is a different intensity and difficulty than for a intermediate or advance student, but the approach is the same. I don't care about the lesson in itself, but I care that the student create his/her own musical path. I put a lot of passion in my teaching and I work for the student outside the lesson as well; making specific backing track and exercise for the specific student or helping him/her out for get in a band or to auditioning for music schools. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet

So I typically take a very relaxed approach during the first few lessons, to get the student to loosen up and feel comfortable, all while observing the student in order to assess their strengths and weaknesses, and figure out what types of music the student is interested in making. Then I can tailor their future lessons so that their goal of playing that type of music is never forgotten, or overshadowed by lots of "exercises" they feel aren't fun. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone French Horn Tuba

I vary my approach and I can go between different methods so that I can create a specific one for the student. I have studied and thought more classical methods like Arban, Clarke and Claude Gordon just to name a few. But also I believe in really using creativity to teach and learn. So I developed methods that include all kinds of different and new exercises for every level of the student. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Music

I have made just about every mistake that an aspiring trumpeter could make! I have had to repeat lessons never learned properly, try to skip necessary building blocks, muscle my way through performances that have damaged me physically, repeat and ingrain bad habits, and almost destroy my deep passionate love of music and the instrument that I have played for 67 1/2 years. My goal is to inspire right practice habits, illuminate the beauty of brass instruments, and help the student create their own voice. Read More

Instruments: Trumpet Music

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements or other method books that they have been using. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo trumpet repertoire as well as popular tunes that will easily engage with them. In addition, I will include some technical exercises to master their skills and endurance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

Immediately I'd like to know why the student is pursuing the given instrument, then sort of gauge a level of passion, drive, talent, etc. and then work from there. With guitar and piano there are several routes one could choose for performance, and each one has different teaching fundamentals. Someone who gravitates more toward Jazz will need a very strong base in musical theory, where as someone who wants to play classical might need stronger technical work. Read More