Teaching Philosophy

           

 

            Lessons are essential and beneficial to young students. It is important for students to receive one on one attention that only a lesson teacher can provide to augment their total music experience. It is through private study that a student can learn the basic fundamentals, which will allow them to grow as a musician and have more fun playing music then if they were not taking lessons.  Students can learn a lot more from me then just how to play the saxophone. Students will gain an understanding and knowledge of artistic and music history and contexts.  Students can also hope to gain essential life skills such as work ethic and problem solving skills.

 

           As an educator, I believe that every student can go as far as they desire on any instrument with the proper fundamentals and work ethic. It is important to teach the proper fundamentals from the moment a student picks up an instrument to avoid building any bad habits.  In my experience, a student will have a more rewarding experience if they do not have to face the frustration of breaking bad habits. Through learning proper fundamentals early on, students can learn the necessary skills to perform at whatever level they desire and enjoy making music.

           

           Since it is not every student’s final goal is to be a professional saxophonist, it is important to focus on the life skills that musical study can develop. A disciplined approach to musical study builds a strong work ethic and my students learn this discipline through a consistent approach to practice. This work ethic can directly correlate to other aspects of their life, regardless of their career goals. 

 

           I believe that the most important concept a teacher can teach a student is the ability to be their own teacher. This is why I like to further develop a student’s problem solving skills.  If they are having a particular issue, whether it is with a concept or practicing methods, I will always present questions to my students to lead them to the correct answer. It is not enough to notice the problem; the ultimate goal is to understand the problem, be able to evaluate it, and then be able to present a solution.

 

         In addition to teaching problem solving skills and work ethic, I believe it is essential for students to understand the historical context of the piece they are performing. For this reason I encourage my students to write short papers on pieces they are working on, including information about the piece itself or the composer.  This will help to develop the students writing and research skills which can directly affect nearly every subject in school.