Saxophone Lessons in Macomb, MI

As a clarinetist, it made perfect sense to me to pick up the saxophone. It is a great instrument to play. I really enjoy it.

I teach beginning and intermediate levels of saxophone. I use the rubank books as well as a few other books for saxophone books.

I believe in teaching with honesty and integrity. In the past, I have learned under private teachers who did not care about teaching the saxophone properly and seriously which led to awful habits and horrible embouchure. The lessons will not only provide accurate information about the saxophone and proper playing techniques, but it will be circled around what you need as a musician. Although you not become a professional musician, it is still essential that any students deserve the best!

I began teaching private music lessons in 2011 while I was studying Jazz Studies and Music Business in college where I was also trained on flute. I have worked with a wide age range of students, I have trained adults and students as young as five. I have high standards and a good attention to detail. I will teach you a strong foundation of fundamental practices that will develop proper posture and technique for both classical music and jazz. I will also teach you a strong foundation of music theory so you will be prepared to learn and/or write music of your choosing.

While my degrees are in clarinet, I am also an accomplished saxophonist who has performed in ensembles throughout Colorado and Western Massachusetts, including jazz ensembles, musicals, and a professional saxophone quartet with performances at a regional North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Conference. I have experience ranging from helping students just learning their instrument all the way to students looking at All State or college auditions. My goal is to tailor lessons to meet each student's individual needs and interests, while still reinforcing good technique. Lessons will usually consist of doing a mix of different things such as: long tones, scales, etudes to improve technique and musicality, solos, duets, and Disney or jazz/pop tunes.

Private one-on-one saxophone instruction has been my primary vocation for nearly 30 years. I've also worked as a professional performing musician for over 35 years. Each lesson is tailored to the tastes and needs of the student, with traditional method books rarely used once the basics are under control. Instruction is based on a strong working knowledge of scales. The informed use of these scales leads to a heightened understanding of improvisation, ear training, and other practical aspects of music theory. Students are encouraged to choose from a variety of jazz standards and transcriptions, classical themes, and pop tunes that I’ve transcribed and engraved. Rudimentary instruction is also available for saxophonists wishing to learn flute and/or clarinet.

The saxophone can be one of the funnest instruments to play, no questions asked! In order to reach that point it's important to have certain things in order such as: sound production, breath support, musicality, and technique. In lessons use a variety of exercises and method/etude books, playing duets together, as well as listening and ear training to give my students a well rounded approach to the saxophone and music helping them to become the best musician they can be.