One-to-One Coaching
1-to-1 coaching sessions primarily concentrate on an individual’s skill development and overall musical growth. Specific areas of study and methods for development are determined with consideration of a student’s current abilities and in concert with the student’s interests. They can encompass a broad range of aspects, including instrumental technique, music theory, ear training, rhythm study, transcription and analysis, repertoire, sight-reading, and performance skills. The focus is on improving the student's overall musicianship and fostering their artistic expression.
What Are Sessions Focused On?
The objectives of 1-to-1 coaching are typically long-term and holistic. Coaching sessions usually occur on a regular basis and often span an extended period, allowing for progressive growth and exploration of various areas of study. This long term outlook allows for great flexibility in setting the pace and intensity of study, enabling the student to move quickly through material they easily digest and linger and go deeper with material that especially grabs their curiosity. It also allows for flexibility in the overall direction in areas of study. After all, when a person studies over an extended period of time, their skills are changing, as are their interests in and out of the practice room. It’s only natural that sessions should adapt to those changes.
What Are the Goals?
1-to-1 coaching sessions typically encompass a comprehensive approach to one’s musical development. Sessions are tailored to the student's individual needs, strengths, and weaknesses, and students are provide personalized instruction, guidance, and feedback to foster their holistic growth. 1-to-1 sessions often involve a combination of different methods that are utilized simultaneously, and usually include technical exercises, etude studies, jazz language work, harmonic exercises, song and solo transcriptions, time and rhythm work, ear training, music theory, repertoire development, and performance preparation. All methods are integrated with a process of reflection that fosters critical thinking and empower the student’s self-study beyond the coaching sessions.
What Methods Do You Use?
1-to-1 Coaching that meets you where you’re at and gets you going
Specific Studies
Technique and Instrument Mastery
Developing Your Sound
Dexterity and Technique
Ergonomics With the Horn
Articulation Types
Breath Control
Altissimo and Extended Techniques
Equipment Considerations
I emphasize the importance of developing a strong technical foundation on the saxophone, playing with the tone you desire and with control and precision, all serving you to play more effortlessly and enabling you to play more musically.
Scales, Rotations, and Intervals
Chords Structures and Progressions
Pattern and Language Work
Time and Rhythm Work
Improvisation Techniques
Transcription and Analysis
Developing A Personal Language
Jazz Theory and Improvisation
Knowing what you’re doing and why is the ultimate goal. Improvisation is the “what” you’re doing when soloing or embellishing a melody, and theory is the study of the “why” music sounds the way it does. It’s essential to study these as complimentary subjects.
Repertoire and Performance
Learning Standards and Tunes
Stylistic elements
Interpretation
Phrasing
Stage presence
Performance Techniques
Learning to play something compelling – really having something to say – includes learning and mastering jazz repertoire, including understanding the stylistic elements of different genres in developing your sense of interpretation and expression.
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