Mounds, OK Music Theory Lessons

a lot. I just believe if it starts to not be fun, what's the point? Music isn't just about perfect theory and note placement it's about enjoyment. That's why I tailor make every lesson specifically based on my student's goals. I have students that like a more traditional approach so I use standard method books with them. I also have students that want to learn how to play by ear so we use a less traditional method and I teach them chord structures and how to move around easily on their instrument. My favorite thing to teach is vocal lessons but I love teaching piano and guitar also.

*** Studio Equipment ***
The In-Studio lessons are taught on an upright piano or acoustic/electric guitar. Student should bring own guitar. No pets. Waiting room out front for parents.

*** Travel Equipment ***
They need their own instrument.

*** Specialties ***
I've performed at Carnegie Hall and I've had the opportunity to work with world renowned vocal coaches. I offer that as well as techniques that I've developed to help you reach your goals quickly and with great skill !

y patient teacher. I understand that not everyone learns the same way so I specialize in breaking things down and making music as simple as it can be for each kind of student. I don't use just one method, I pull from my arsenal of acquired knowledge, books, and my own studies. I keep lessons fun and interesting. A normal lesson with me would consist of two parts the first 30 minutes we would focus on learning and practicing warm ups, exercises, licks, notes, scales, chords, arpeggios, timing, rudiments, dynamics, ear training, theory, technique, etc. And the second half we would work on a song or jam together. Depending on the age and level of student, after spending six months studying with me you will be a rock star! LOL. Well, you may not have a recording contract, but you will have gained a volume of knowledge and taken your playing up a few levels. It's all about how much time and practice you put in and how much you want it. Every student has there own pace and desire so I do my part to help them become the best that they want to be.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Home Studio: drum set, practice pad, piano and keyboard, guitar amps, chairs, parents can sit in on lesson.

Broken Arrow Music Studio: drum set, guitar amp, piano, and lobby room for parents.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in working with beginner to advanced level students. I teach all styles of music.

4-2017. His responsibilities included directing the annual SDSU/Brookings Optimist Jazz Festival, directing Jazz Ensembles I-II, Jazz Combo, Jazz Improvisation lessons, Jazz Pedagogy, online Jazz Appreciation, private saxophone lessons, saxophone quartets, private oboe lessons, and group guitar class.

Carl completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in saxophone performance at the University of Kansas in 2014, and his Master of Music Pedagogy and Performance from Oklahoma State University in 2011. He graduated from Harrah High School in 2002, earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2008, and was a 5th-12th grade Head Band Director at Fairview Public schools. He is currently a member of the North American Saxophone Alliance, the Jazz Education Network, Music Teachers National Association, National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, and an Honorary Member of Tau Beta Sigma. He has held previous memberships with Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Delta Pi, and the Oklahoma Bandmasters Association.

While at KU, Carl was also a graduate teaching assistant for the saxophone studio and jazz studies program. His responsibilities included Assistant Director of the KU Jazz Festival, directing Jazz Ensembles II-III, directing Jazz Combo III-VI, directing Saxophone Quartets II-III, teaching private saxophone lessons, assisting in saxophone studio class, and teaching the music education woodwind methods course. His Lecture Recital Document, A Performer’s Analysis of Selected Jazz Works for Saxophone Quartet, featured an interview with Bob Mintzer. Carl was a member of KU Jazz Ensemble I, KU Saxophone Quartet I, and KU's Helianthus New Music Ensemble. As a member of KU's Jazz Ensemble 1, Carl has performed with Dave Douglas, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Alex Sipiagin, Steve Owen, Gary Foster, Steve Houghton, Clint Ashlock, David von Kampen, Peter Epstein, Jeff Miley, James Miley, Roger Shew, and Brian Hamada, Brandon Draper, Rich Wheeler, Beau Bledsoe, Jeff Harshbarger, and Matt Otto. In July 2014, Carl went on a European tour with KU Jazz Ensemble I featuring Steve Leisring and Deborah Brown. Together, they performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Vienne Jazz Festival in France, and performed in several cities in Germany. Recordings by this band resulted in KU winning the DownBeat Student Award (Graduate College Large Jazz Ensemble Division) in 2015.

While at OSU, Carl was a GTA for the saxophone studio and music theory programs. His responsibilities included Music Theory I-IV tutoring and grading, sight-singing grading, piano labs, classical and jazz saxophone lessons, saxophone quartet coaching, saxophone studio Webmaster, and saxophone studio class. Carl was a member of the OSU Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble 1. He had a regularly performing jazz trio and played in OSU's X2End saxophone quartet. The X2End quartet performed locally at the 2011 Navy Band Saxophone Symposium in Washington D.C., at the 2011 NASA Region IV Conference, and has won the state and division rounds of the 2010-2011 MTNA Chamber Music Competition. The X2End quartet went on to win the 3rd place prize at the national final round of the MTNA Chamber Music Competition. They also were the Division II Chamber Ensemble winners at the 2011 Hubbard Music Competition where they were awarded the 2nd place prize in the overall finals. Carl's final degree paper at OSU was a study of composer/performer collaboration. He traveled to Texas, Michigan, and Ohio to interview saxophonists and composers including David Dees, Peter Fischer, John Sampen, Marilyn Shrude, Joe Lulloff, and Charles Ruggiero. He has presented his lecture at the 2011 Navy Band Saxophone Symposium, the 2011 NASA Region IV Conference, and the 2012 OSU Single Reed Summit. As a member of OSU's Jazz Ensemble 1, he has performed with Bob Sheppard, Conrad Herwig, Wayne Bergeron, and Andy Martin.

While at SWOSU, Carl performed as a member of the marching band, wind ensemble, Jazz Ensemble A, saxophone quartet, and his own jazz combo named Five-Seven. As a member of SWOSU's Jazz Ensemble A, he has performed with Dan Haerle, Bob Bowman, Jack Mouse, Fred Forney, Janice Borla, Eddie Daniels, Pamela York, Lynn Seaton, Carl Allen, Dr. Michael Cox, Tom Williams, Dr. Robert Chambers, Dave Hanson, Drori Mondlak, Delores Williams, Byron Stripling, Frank Wess, Kenny Drew Jr., Dennis Mackrel, Bill Watrous, Rich Eames, Jennifer Leitham, and Randy Drake.

Carl's primary saxophone instructors have been Vince Gnojek, Dr. Jeffrey Loeffert, Dr. Ann Bradfield, Dr. Keith Talley, and William Rodney Hull. He has had additional instruction in lessons and masterclasses from Gary Foster, Dr. Joseph Murphy, Dr. Michael Cox, Bob Sheppard, Johnny Salinas, Dr. Kimberly Goddard Loeffert, Dr. Geoffrey Deibel, Dr. Jonathan Nichol, Dr. Griffin Campbell, Dr. James Laughlin, and Dr. David Dees. Carl's jazz directors have included Dan Gailey, Bob McCurdy, Dr. Jonathan Martin, Dr. Keith Talley, and Dr. Terry Segress.

Carl enjoys recording several instruments in his home studio and composing new music. His compositions that have been performed include his big band arrangement of Cat Battles by Joshua Redman, September in the Refrain (alto saxophone and electronics), Funk-o-matic (jazz combo), Smooth (jazz combo), and The Deadline Arrives at Dawn (alto saxophone and electronics). As an advocate of new music involving the saxophone, he has participated in a commissioning consortium for Alone Together by composer David MacDonald through Kick Starter. In 2013, Carl performed the premier of Cuento #3 by Nelson Ramirez Diaz. During summer of 2014, he recorded selections from Dr. John Walker's "The Alto Saxophone in the Attic," published by Carl Fischer. At the 10th Annual SDSU/Brookings Optimist Jazz Festival in 2015, Carl directed SDSU Jazz Ensemble I's premier of Dog, Tired by David von Kampen.

Carl is a Conn-Selmer Endorsing Artist. He hosted the North American Saxophone Alliance Region 3 (ND, SD, NE, MN, IA) Conference at South Dakota State University on March 17-18, 2017. On Saturday, April 8, 2017, Carl performed Dreams in the Dusk by David Biedenbender with South Dakota State University's Wind Symphony, directed by Dr. Jacob Wallace. On Monday, February 6, 2017, Carl performed the premiere of Lhotse for alto saxophone and percussion by Steve Danyew with Dr. Aaron Ragsdale. In April 2017, Carl performed solo tenor saxophone and orchestral clarinet in Ethan Bortnick's national PBS Special called "Generations of Music," which featured special guest, Peter Yarrow, from Peter, Paul and Mary.

with, just over the past 3 months, now play in their school/ church bands with great commendations (see reviews). I also taught a 56 year old beginner last year.

I understand the challenges upcoming sax players face- momentum, applying music basics, developing clean tone, maintaining rhythm, improvisation - most of which I have MASTERED. So I believe we can work together & help you play familiar tunes within 2-3 weeks. Relax & enjoy your play. Hire me & let's jam!

*** Lesson Details ***
-Customized for each student's specific needs & learning style
-Created a refined curriculum & drafted new learning materials. Students get COMPLIMENTARY copies to take home for practice.

***Online classes***
Computer, good internet, FaceTime/ Skype

** Studio equipment **
Alto- & Soprano saxophones; JODY JAZZ Mouthpieces; Reeds (Vandoren, RicoPlastiCover, Legere); Rovner Ligatures;
Vandoren MP cushions- you get COMPLIMENTARY cushions too :-)

*** Specialties ***
Jazz; Smooth jazz; Classical; Gospel; Contemporary; Funk; Afro-Cuban

lso a music producer (Logic X). I specialize in music theory, I've studied from Bach to Schoenberg and modern music theory, you know, jazz can get very tricky.

Anyways, I know you just want to know how good of a teacher I am, I've been teaching piano and music theory for 4+ years, not gonna lie, I have an ability to explain complex things into simple and digestible information. If you got questions I'll answer anything you want to know and if I don't know the answer, I'll try to get it ASAP.

I hope we get to learn together, see you soon.