TEACHING
Playing the saxophone is a constant learning process and the saxophonist is constantly evolving as there is always something new to learn.
Having been playing for over 30 years, attended saxophone workshops, played in a wide variety of bands and styles I have learned what works and what doesn’t in terms of technique.
Therefore, I am well qualified to teach in a way that what could take months to master now takes hours.
I know why it squeaks, sounds breathy, no sound at all, sounds strained or flat - could be the equipment but I would look at user error first, politely of course!
Having worked in the retail industry for 15 years selling the equipment, I have been both selling and teaching customers on a daily basis therefore have taught hundreds of saxophonists from around the world.
I can advise as to what equipment to buy and what to avoid in terms of type and brand of sax together with cleaning and other accessories some of which are necessary and some a waste of money.
I have been privately teaching for three decades both ABRSM and Trinity grades as well as for fun on the styles that the student would like to learn. For example, there is no point in learning all the jazz keys and different exercises if you just want to play Ska music. Go down the right path in the first place pointing to where you want to end up as there is not enough time for most of us to learn everything.
I would recommend playing with audio tracks and listening to saxophone artists that you aspire to replicate and when a certain standard has been achieved to play in front of others and to join a group or band to focus your playing even further.
On a daily basis I have heard that learning the saxophone is really difficult. In fact the opposite is true and I honestly believe it is one of the easiest to pick up and play within minutes. Within 5 minutes with me you will be playing a scale and the beginning of a tune. In order not to offend anyone who plays any other instrument I could name, there are very few instruments that gives you such rapid results.
The trickiest part is the blowing and there are various factors in the mouth, throat and breathing from the diaphragm that within seconds I can rectify. Once that is sorted, all you are doing is putting your fingers down onto buttons in the right order and instant music is achieved.
But I don’t read music. Not a problem, within 5 minutes with me you will be and it really is not as difficult as people believe. I give you a couple of easy rhymes to learn for the letters that are from A to G, you will be reading easy tunes in the first lesson.
Having been told many times, you get value for money learning with me. An hour goes very quickly as I cram as much as I can so you can go and practice long notes, increase your fluidity in your fingers and strengthen the ‘embouchure’ to achieve a strong tone that you and others will love listening to.
Please contact me
to discuss further and local home visits to Ascot, Berkshire are available.
