Saxophone Lessons in Lyons, CO

ty after moving here from Philadelphia in early 2001, after graduating from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia in 1999 with a Bachelors in Music Performance.

Throughout my musical career I have worked in a variety of capacities in addition to being a performer, including working as a composer and recording studio engineer. My main area of expertise is performing as a jazz saxophonist on alto, tenor, and soprano saxophones, and I regularly play throughout New York City in restaurants, jazz clubs, bars and other music venues.

As a private music teacher, I place an emphasis on giving the student an in depth understanding of his or her instrument, and I place the utmost importance on explaining advanced concepts in the simplest of terms in order to insure that the student fully comprehends the objectives of each lesson. Such concepts that I cover regularly are sight-reading, ear-training, technique, and creativity.

As a regularly performing musician in New York City, I can be seen every Sunday night at Ba'sik (a very popular bar in Williamsburg Brooklyn) where I lead an open jazz jam session. A few of my adult students have even been able to reach a level in jazz improvisation that they've been able to come out and sit in with the band.

YOUNGER STUDENTS: I’ve found that in most cases, it is very difficult for students younger than 8 or 9 years old to learn instruments like the clarinet, saxophone and flute. Occasionally, an exception can be made if a younger student is taller than average for his or her age, but most of the time the size of a student’s hands, as well as his or her amount of a physical strength, are not adequate enough until around the ages of 8 or 9. A worthwhile alternative, if a student is absolutely enthusiastic about learning a woodwind instrument, is to begin them on an instrument called the recorder. The recorder is a real instrument, but it is a more primitive, smaller, and simpler of an instrument than the saxophone, clarinet, or the flute; however, it is a great way for young students to begin learning the basics of playing a woodwind instrument and also learning important musical concepts such as reading music notation, pitch, and rhythm. I have also been introduced to a new line of instruments that are developed for younger students by a company called Nuvo. These instruments are smaller and simpler analogs to the saxophone, flute, and clarinet, and they can function as the next step in a younger student’s progression between the recorder and an actual saxophone, flute, or clarinet. The specific instruments that I deal with are called the jSax and the DooD by Nuvo Instrumental. I was asked to demo these instruments and you can check them out if you scroll down to the video section of my profile and look for the videos entitled “jSax and DooD review and demo. Nuvo Instrumental” or “jSax and Dood demo. Nuvo Instrumental”.

In addition to teaching woodwind instruments and jazz improvisation, I also have experience teaching Sibelius music writing software, and audio engineering and editing with Pro-tools LE and Logic Pro X.

PLEASE NOTE: Because the NYC area is very different geographically from other parts of the country, especially in terms of transportation, I may appear outside of your area in terms of where I am available to travel. If you are very interested in taking lessons with me, but you are outside of my travel zone, please feel free to follow up with a Takelessons counselor and have them contact me personally to see if we might make an exception. I am available to travel to virtually all areas of Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan as well as Jersey City and Hoboken, depending on if the day and time selected allows me acceptable travel time between other scheduled lessons. If my location in Astoria Queens is not convenient for you, and you are unable to have lessons in your home, then there is also an option where I can most likely find a very affordable teaching studio in an area that is more convenient for you that we may rent by the hour and split the cost for your lesson.

*** Lesson Details ***
Any student, regardless of age or experience level, learns best when engaged in an activity that he or she understands and enjoys. Part of my success as a teacher can be attributed to my willingness to take into account every student's particular musical interests and strengths, and attempt to teach directly to those areas. For instance, in the initial stages of developing a student and teacher relationship, I like to request that the student compile a "wish list" of approximately ten pieces of music that he or she would like to be able to play. This list may include pieces in such genres as classical, jazz, and popular music, just to name a few. It is through this list that the student can begin almost immediately learning exactly what he or she likes, and by default, I can then teach the student all of the technical components needed to perform on his or her instrument, as well as determine the specific areas where the student needs to receive more focused instruction. More importantly, this "thinking outside of the box," customized approach provides a fun atmosphere and enables the student to enjoy learning the art of playing music by not being solely dependent on instructional booklets which many students, regardless of age and experience, find boring and tedious.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Additional saxophones for students who do not currently have a saxophone to use during a lesson. Recording equipment, including software and microphones. Mac book pro with music writing and recording software. Full 88 key keyboard.

*** Travel Equipment ***
Additional saxophones. Macbook pro with recording and music writing software

*** Specialties ***
music, music theory, home recording, saxophone, clarinet, flute,
all styles

sity, creativity, and innovation. I have also performed with the Juilliard Orchestra, the U.S. Coast Guard Band, and International Opera Theater. I hold a Master's in Music from The Hartt School and a Bachelor of Music summa cum laude from Arizona State University (ASU).

Though I specialize in saxophone, I also love teaching beginning and intermediate piano.

If you are outside my travel radius, I may be able to accommodate you for an additional travel fee - please contact me!

***Lesson Materials***

Saxophone students must have an instrument in good repair and required accessories (reeds, mouthpiece, etc.). Piano students must have access to a tuned piano or an electric keyboard with touch-sensitive, weighted keys. I am happy to recommend instrument and accessory brands; please check with me before a major purchase. Quality, working equipment is critical to students’ success.

I periodically request that students purchase books and other lesson materials.

IMPORTANT: If you are planning to buy a saxophone, piano/keyboard, or mouthpiece, please consult with me first. Having good-quality instrument/accessories will help you achieve your success. There are a number of cheap products that are easy to find and purchase, but they are often of poor quality. I can recommend options for your first purchase that may be more expensive, but will help you succeed in the long term.

cording, and Live Sound for 16 years.

I can teach you note-reading, tabs, ear training, music theory, composition, improvisation in just about any style of music.

Working with people writing songs is something I enjoy thoroughly; I can help you write and record your own songs. A computer and internet access are preferred to take full advantage of the technology for learning and producing music.

Knowledgeable in Instrument repair, set-up, and maintenance, I can help you fix it, and how to spot a good instrument.

Patient and experienced, with a broad knowledge of music in most areas, I can give you hundreds of good references from previous students I've taught over the years

*** Studio Equipment ***

Guitars, basses, percussion and drum sets, a piano, saxophones, hand drums, a 20-track digital recording studio with monitors that are equalized to the room's acoustics for accurate listening and mixing, plus an assortment of microphones, amps, mic stands, cables, and connectors.

s,
Pop, Rock, R&B, Jazz, Classical, Broadway.

*** Lesson Details ***
Guitar: Learning to properly handle the guitar, left and right hand techniques. learn to tune the instrument. read notes, and lean all major, minor, and seven chords by the end of book 1

Piano: learning all 12 scales by heart, proper fingers technique for both hands, reading both left and right hand notation by end of book 1.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Tascam D8000 40 Ch. Digital mixer
Alesus quad Reverb,
Yamaha EX5
Korg Sound module
Digitech Vocalist II Harmony...
Pro Tools 10
Sonar XL XIII
D Drums,
7 Pianos
5 Guitars,
Bass,
2 Saxophones

*** Travel Equipment ***
Guitar, Keyboard, Saxophone, Mic, Laptop, Amplifier, Karaoke hard drive, and software.

*** Specialties ***
Advanced Vocal Coaching, for professionals,
Pop, R&B, JAZZ, Classical, Broadway.

Composition for pro artists, 256 mix tracks, 48 khz,
Top of the line recording gear.

Classical guitar, Music Theory and Composition for writers.

I have a couple openings in my schedule to teach any one who is serious about excelling on his/her instrument. I look forward to helping you reach your potential.

al goals.

In my music career I've performed with Steffan Lessard (Dave Matthews Band) and Ed Robertson (Bare Naked Ladies) and played in bands that have opened for Guster, Blues Traveler, and The Wailers.

Some of the musical styles I regularly teach: Pop, Blues, Jazz, Funk, Soul, R&B, and Classical.

rtant life skill that can set anyone on a path to greatness – as long as they know how to follow through.
My goal is to help YOU reach your goals.

When I am not working with students, you can find me working on my own goals! I practice all of my instruments often, and I am working hard to become a great tap dancer. My non-musical interests include learning about the coffee-making process, learning how to make costumes from scratch, and playing The Sims.

Thank you for your attention, and I hope to meet you soon!