Teaching

Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium

Why get lessons?

Music has historically been used for everything from ceremonies to advertising to just plain pleasure. Indeed it is difficult to imagine humanity without it. Music develops the brain in ways unlike any other academic pursuit. Studies by university professors at Kent State University & the University of Arizona for the Future of Music Project (1995) demonstrate the extra-musical advantages of music education such as improved reading, language, foreign language, math skills, perceptual motor skills, psychomotor development, creativity, self-esteem, social skills, & overall academic achievement. These benefits are heightened for students who study privately because of the individual attention given to their unique strengths & weaknesses.

My students have received highest marks at the Ohio, Indiana, & Massachusetts Music Educator’s Solo Competitions; been accepted to the Interlochen Arts Academy Summer Program, Dayton Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, Springfield Youth Symphony, Dayton Metro Band, & Ohio's 13th District Honor Band; won the Middletown Symphony Youth Solo Competition (brass division) & placed 1st & 2nd in the Dayton Philharmonic Volunteer’s Competition (brass); received a full scholarship to the Rafael Méndez Brass Institute; & been accepted as music majors to New England Conservatory, The Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, Morehead State, Ball State, Bowling Green, Ohio State, University of Dayton, Heidelberg College, University of Michigan, Michigan State, Western Michigan University, & Indiana/Purdue University Fort Wayne, many with scholarships. Some are teaching, some are performing, one is in the Hanscom Air Force Band, & one joined a Marine Band.

What & where do you teach?

I teach the Trombone, Tuba, and Euphonium (known by some as the Baritone Horn...click here to learn the difference) at my home in Washington Township near the intersection of Far Hills Avenue & Rahn Road. I travel to teach classes, workshops, or enough individual students in one location. I also travel to teach at McCutcheon Music, Earlham College, & Central State University, where I often teach members of those local communities. Feel free to email me if you are interested in joining my studio or in bringing me into your school for lessons or clinics.

What happens during lessons?

In lessons, students & I sit or stand next to each other, sometimes moving to face each other for thorough listening, sometimes using breathing tools, a mirror, & a piano, & sometimes moving to the computer to work with software, recordings, or play-alongs. Each week, students are assigned warm-ups, scales, exercises, solos, etudes, &/or duets to prepare for the next lesson. Sometimes we play together so students can imitate what they hear, but more often they must play independently, without using the teacher’s sound as a crutch.

Sixth grade and younger students like to have a lot of fun while playing, to feel successful & stay interested. They also need to develop strong, correct, basic techniques such as posture, breathing, counting, & tapping while playing. So we begin with tone production, at first on the mouthpiece & leadpipe, then on the instrument. As soon as possible, they are assigned popular songs from movies, TV shows, & childhood favorites, along with scales, & even jazz & improvisation for some. Young students are also taught how to care for their instruments.

Seventh through ninth graders are given more exercises to develop & reinforce good habits. They also learn advanced techniques such as tenor clef reading, jazz reading, attention to dynamics & articulation, sight-reading, & range expansion. This age group plays major & some minor scales, some of them two octaves.

Tenth grade and older students expand their abilities through more difficult assignments that demand greater range, volume, & speed. They learn advanced techniques such as multiple tonguing, fast flexibilities, tenor clef, alto clef, sight-reading, jazz reading, two-octave major & minor scales, etudes, solos, orchestral excerpts, & they begin to prepare for college auditions if needed.

College students are held to high standards of preparation & performance, & each lesson is graded accordingly.

What do I need to bring or buy?

Students should bring a notebook, preferably a 3-ring binder with blank paper, to hold the many hand-outs they will receive. I encourage all students, especially those in 9th grade and above, to record their lessons. This is easy at my house – just bring a blank CD, jump drive, or flash drive. Outside of my studio, students who want to record must bring a recording device. You are only capable of remembering a certain percentage of what you learn, but recording lessons ensures that you have gotten all that you paid for.

Students will need to buy books and solos, usually between $10 and $30 at first (repertoire is decided on an individual basis). They should also get a metronome, tuner, cleaning equipment, and a recording device to monitor their own practice. This doesn’t have to be expensive; just good enough to hear rhythm and pitch at first. They should also be able to practice in view of a mirror or get one that fits on their music stand.

Will I get to perform?

When schedules allow, I organize student recitals at a nearby school or church (usually in May or June).

How much do lessons cost?

8th grade and younger (typically) - 40 minute lessons - $20.00

9th grade and older (typically) - 1 hour & 15 minutes - $35.00

Group Lessons/Chamber Ensemble Coachings - 1 hour - $10.00/student

Are there other policies?

• Payment is expected at each lesson, double at the first lesson, so students are always ahead by at least one payment. This helps enforce the cancellation policy (below). Naturally, if a lesson is cancelled within the policy then the student will be credited. Advance/monthly payments are also accepted and recorded.
  
  
• Missed lessons will be refunded if they are cancelled by calling me 24 hours in advance. Without this notice, refunds will still be given in cases of same-day illnesses, emergencies, and inclement weather; but please call the night before if you think you might miss the next day. For cancellations on very short notice, please call my home then cell phone if necessary. Acceptably cancelled lessons will be credited. Occasionally, I will also need to reschedule lessons.
  
  
• Please have a 3-ring binder and paper for lessons, so I can add material and write assignments.
  
  
• Please avoid wearing perfumes and colognes when in my home as they sometimes cause migraine headaches for my wife.
  
  
• If you are highly allergic to cats, then we should find a venue for lessons outside my home: Kermit and Fozzie are incurably social.
  
  
• STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO PRACTICE, and parental awareness of this helps immensely. When maturity sets in, students stop watching the clock and do the work demanded by the music. In my experience, this usually takes the following minimum amounts of time:
  

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