Lessons challenge students to expand their musical abilities in Fun and rewarding ways.
WHAT I teach
I teach French horn and trumpet lessons to students nine and older at my home studio in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and in students' homes. Learning to play a brass instrument can be challenging (French horn in particular is known to be difficult), so we focus on laying a good foundation in technique to allow students to grow physically stronger and musically wiser.
Playing brass can be aerobic, so it's important towork on exercises to increase both strength and flexibility of the muscles and breath control. Students are assigned specific warmups and exercises from sources like Carmine Caruso's Musical Calisthenics for Brass, Fluxus by Laurie Frink and John McNeil, or Kopprasch's Etudes.
Of course, musicianship is an important part of lessons, too. Developing the ability to hear precisely is as important for horn players as for singers, so ear training is a significant part of lessons. In addition, I will recommend pieces from both the classical repertoire and pop or jazz. We will use these to develop better phrasing and articulation, as well as work on music theory, sight reading, and transposition-- all the things that brass players need to know to be able to play in chamber groups and orchestras. I can offer guidance and coaching for college auditions, or for NYSSMA (All-State and Solo and Ensemble contests). Depending on the student's age and interest, we also sometimes work on basic piano, composition, or improvisation skills, or on learning an additional brass instrument.
Studio Policies
Generally, lessons are weekly, and usually for one hour, though young students may have 30 minute or 45 minute lessons. Lesson fees are charged for a block rate of four lessons at a time, due at the first lesson (cash, check, or Venmo accepted). If you'd like an introductory lesson to try things out, you can pay for a single one, and if you sign up for a month of lessons, I will deduct the intro lesson cost from your first block rate. I am happy to teach in your home as long as my schedule can accommodate it; there is an additional travel fee of $15/lesson for lessons away from my home studio within New York City, with a minimum lesson time of 45 minutes. I do my best to be flexible in scheduling-- if you need to reschedule or cancel a lesson, you can do so up to 24 hours in advance of your original lesson for no charge.