Lessons

Currently I am not taking any new students – thank you for your interest!

My instructional approach is to incorporate both classical technique and improvisation into my lessons in a way that fosters creativity and freedom of expression while developing proficiency and ease of playing the instrument.

I think the magic happens when energy is distributed along the continuum from focused, disciplined technical development all the way to open ended, ‘no judgement zone’ freedom of expression with no rules. Most music will fit somewhere along this continuum.

Traditional Private Lessons

Private lessons with one student can go in any direction of interest to the student. Individual lessons can be geared towards any of the styles of music I play and will include elements from classical training focusing on tone, technique and musicality combined with ear training, music theory and coaching on improvisation and free expression.

Small Groups & Pairs

Lessons with duos or threes would also follow the interest of the group, but the added element of a partner student or “classmate” makes learning to improvise much easier because you can play together, inside and outside of the lesson! Accountability, company, and the opportunity to practice improvising with a friend are just some of the benefits.

Expectations

To make our time together fruitful and rewarding, students are expected to commit to the following:

Be on time, logging on promptly at the start the lesson
Be prepared, having your instrument ready to play and materials gathered around you
Practice between lessons, meeting the following minimums
- Kids: 15-20 minutes, 4x/week
- Teens and adults: 120 minutes a week (suggested at least 30 min, 4x/week)
For pairs or small groups, schedule at least one session/week to practice / rehearse / improvise with each other outside of the lesson

Materials List

For beginning students, we will use whatever book you use in your music program at school as well as comparable basic materials.

For intermediate and advanced players, the books below are a selection of my favorites and offer a range of choices for lesson material. Your lesson plans will be tailored according to your individual goals and interests.

Classical Etudes and Studies

Six Suites for Violincello – J.S. Bach (transcribed and edited by Trent Kynaston)

28 Studies for Saxophone – Guy Lacour

The Art of Saxophone Playing – Larry Teal

25 Caprices (and an Atonal Sonata) for Solo Saxophone – Sigfrid Karg-Elert, published by Southern Music Company

Melodious and Progressive Studies Book 1: Saxophone – David Hite

The Techniques of Saxophone Playing – Weiss, Marcus / Netti, Giorgio

Universal Method for Saxophone – by Paul Deville

25 Daily Exercises for Saxophone – H. Klose

Altissimo

Top Tones for Saxophone – Sigurd Rascher, published by Carl Fischer

Voicing – An Approach to the Saxophone’s Third Register, Revised Edition – Donald Sinta

Saxophone High Tones 2nd Edition – Eugene Rousseau