Philadelphia, PA Saxophone Lessons

Saxophone was the first instrument, aside from Piano, that I started to play. I started in 4th grade with this instrument until my middle school teacher in 6th grade asked me to switch to French horn. I continued to perform on Saxophone in our school's Jazz ensemble in Middle School and High School. I no longer play the Saxophone but can still teach students how to play the instrument!

My first instrument and my first love. Started at age 10 and was teaching by age 15

All styles - pop, rock, jazz, funk, classical, etc. Reading, writing and ear training.

I have Alto and Tenor Saxophones, and can teach you to play and read, improvise, and how to make it sing

I believe in catering lessons to a students individual desires and musical goals. I play Tenor, Alto, Soprano and EWI. Our lessons can cover a broad range of concepts like:
Musicality/Performance
Jazz Improvisation
Composition/Arranging
How to practice
Tone and Sound production
Technique
Doubling
Reading/Sight Reading
Learning Tunes
Using petals and electronic musical components
And MUCH, MUCH MORE!!!

I have been teaching saxophone for about seven years and playing for about fourteen years. In the summer of 2016 I graduated from the U.S. Army School of Music as a tenor saxophone player. In college my major instrument was the baritone saxophone.

When teaching lessons I like to start out by finding out where my student is currently playing at. I will then create a custom plan to suit the student's needs and interests to ensure lessons are engaging. My lessons are student focused.

ABOUT

Jeff has been teaching and performing professionally for close to a decade. He enjoys teaching students of all ages and abilities, and specializes in woodwinds, jazz improvisation, and theory. Some of his past students have gone on to win prestigious soloist awards, achieve top seats in classical and jazz all-state festivals, and attend well respected universities for musical studies.

MISSION STATEMENT

To address each individual student’s needs and goals by developing a targeted approach that utilizes appropriate resources and practice techniques.

With over 5 years of professional teaching experience, and 10 years of professional performance experience, I am well equipped to give saxophone lessons to students of all skill levels! I tailor my students' lessons to their specific needs and interests, while ensuring development of proper embouchure and technique. I am able to teach classical saxophone, jazz, rock, blues, and other genres, as well as music composition.

I don't just teach. I instill values into my students to ensure that they achieve their goals. Thomas M. Sterner, a renowned philosopher and jazz pianist once wrote, "Everything in life worth achieving requires practice." I instill this philosophy into my students. I believe that it is something they can reflect on and use in any aspect of their life. I help my students learn to enjoy the process of development. I applaud them when they are doing well, showing how excited I am when they achieve a goal. Even the smallest amount of progress is still progress. I help my students understand this and enjoy this progress so that they can continue to work hard at becoming the best musician they can be.

Saxophone instructor focusing on teaching beginning and intermediate students of all ages to express themselves on the instrument by emphasizing the fundamentals of playing the instrument while having fun during the process. Areas that I emphasize include: breathing, posture, embouchure, tone production, music theory, phrasing, and intonation. The student will be able to play any type of music they wish as a result of developing these skills.