Woodwind instruments lessons - saxophone, clarinet, flute

 Saxophone: 

Beginner level. 

Beginners will use the “Fred Weber Student instrumental course level 1” for saxophone and will start working on fingerings for basic scales and overall tone production. Long tone exercises and Scale exercises for the student are part of a method developed by prolific East Coast saxophonist and educator “David Pope.” Students at the end of the beginner level will proficient in C, G, D and F major scales as well as their chromatic scale one octave. They will also be able to play the melody to jazz/ pop tunes and/ or classical music piece of their choice. 

Intermediate Level: Students at the intermediate level will have a choice between a classical or jazz focus. Jazz students will work through the “Real Book: Sixth edition.” A compilation of many jazz standards, it will be used to increase understanding of melodic structure of the jazz repertoire. The jazz track student will also work from “Basic Jazz conception for saxophone” and “Intermediate Jazz conception for saxophone” (written by Lennie Niehaus). This book allows for the solidification of technique and reading skills. The classical track student will work from the “Rubank intermediate method for saxophone”. This book focuses on fundamentals of the saxophone specifically geared towards tone production. It is recommended that the student lean towards an overall focus in either jazz or classical throughout their lessons or simply rotate between working on jazz and classical from week to week. Students at the end of the intermediate level will be proficient in all major scales one octave and the chromatic scale two octaves. 

Advanced level: Students at the advanced level who are one the jazz track will continue with “Advanced Conception for Jazz” and begin working on a specific improvisational method tailored to their needs as a player. Advanced Jazz students will also be expected to have a copy of the “Omnibook” (a compilation of prolific saxophone icon “Charlie Parker’s” solos) to work on developing technique and integrating the bebop language. Students on the advanced level who are on the classical track will be expected to own a copy of “48 famous studies for oboe and saxophone” written by W. Ferling. These etudes will be learned and performed by the student each week. Students at the end of the advanced level will be proficient in all major, minor and modal scales in all twelve keys as well as the chromatic scale in two octaves. 

Flute:

Beginner level: 

Beginners will use the “Beginners Book for the Flute” by “Trevor Wye” and will immediately start working on fingerings for basic scales and overall tone production. Students at the end of the beginner level will be proficient in C, G, D and F major scales as well as a chromatic scale one octave and the melody to jazz/pop tunes and/or a piece of classical music of their choice.

Intermediate level: Flute students at the intermediate level will work through the “rubank intermediate method for flute” each week and begin working on flute repertoire”. Students at the end of the intermediate level will be proficient in all major scales, two octaves and their chromatic scale, one octave. 

Advanced level: Flute students at the advanced level will have the option to learn jazz flute as well. Students at the advanced level to play all major and minor scales as well as the chromatic scale all two octaves. 

Clarinet:

Beginners will use the “Fred Weber Student instrumental course level 1” for clarinet and will immediately start working on fingerings for basic scales and overall tone production. Students at the end of the beginner level will be proficient in C, G, D and F major scales as well as a chromatic scale one octave and the melody to a jazz standard/ pop tune piece of classical music of their choice. 

Intermediate level: Clarinet students at the intermediate level will work through the “Rose Etudes for Clarinet” each week and begin working on clarinet repertoire. Examples of intermediate flute repertoire include the Weber concertino and Mozart concerto for clarinet. Students at the end of the intermediate level will be proficient in all major scales, two octaves and their chromatic scale, one octave.