Brass and Woodwind Studio
Lessons in all generas.
Trumpet Lessons
Beginner students focus on the basic mechanics of playing the trumpet. A variety of breathing, lip buzzing, mouthpiece buzzing, and tonguing exercises are incorporated to lay a strong foundation and ease of playing. Students are also introduced to reading music, covering common fingerings and rhythms through 8th notes. Sight reading is highly stressed to promote fluency. A variety of melodies from classical, jazz, and popular music are used to propagate the ease and joy of music.
Intermediate students work more in-depth with all aspects of the instrument. Arban’s method book is used extensively to introduce the student to a lifetime of technical exercises, introducing more advanced rhythms and a variety of major and minor scales. For students that are interested, improvisation is introduced via the blues and simple jazz chord progressions.
Advanced students focus on interpretation of style, improvisation, and theory as it applies to the genre of music they are studying. For Jazz students, advanced theory, arranging techniques, and improvisation through chord scales, substitutions, transcriptions, and melodic concepts. Composition is encouraged at this point. Classical students focus on repertoire, advanced technique, and interpretation. Students will also begin working with extreme registers of the instrument, focusing on the range above “high C” and low note exercises to promote even facility throughout the instrument.
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Saxaphone Lessons
Beginner students spend their first lessons learning the basic mechanics of playing the instrument. A variety of mouthpiece, breathing, fingering, and tonguing exercises are incorporated to lay a strong foundation and ease of playing. Students are also introduced to reading music, covering common fingerings in two octaves and rhythms through 8th notes. Basic improvisation is offered based on student interest. A variety of melodies from classical, jazz, and popular music are used to help them progress and enjoy the process.
Intermediate students work more in-depth with all aspects of the instrument. The Rubank method series is used extensively to introduce the student to a lifetime of technical exercises, introducing more advanced rhythms and a variety of major and minor scales. Additional solo repertoire is selected based on the student’s interests (classical, jazz, popular, etc.) and skill levels for fun and further development. Selected music for listening is frequently assigned to help develop the student’s tonal concept and style on their instrument. For students that are interested, improvisation is continued in a variety of basic styles (blues, funk, etc.) and common jazz chord progressions using the Abersold series.
Advanced students focus on interpretation of style, improvisation, and theory as it applies to the genre of music they are studying. For Jazz students, advanced theory, arranging techniques, and improvisation through chord scales, substitutions, transcriptions, and melodic concepts are covered. Frequent listening is required. Composition is encouraged. All students focus on repertoire, advanced technique through the advanced Rubank books and supplemental materials, and interpretation through etudes and solo work.
Trumbone Lessons
Beginner students spend their first lessons learning the basic mechanics of playing the instrument. A variety of breathing, lip buzzing, mouthpiece buzzing, and tonguing exercises are incorporated to lay a strong foundation and ease of playing. Students are also introduced to reading music, covering common fingerings and rhythms through 8th notes. A variety of melodies from classical, jazz, and popular music are used to help them progress and enjoy the process.
Intermediate students work more in-depth with all aspects of the instrument. Arban’s method book is used extensively to introduce the student to a lifetime of technical exercises, introducing more advanced rhythms and a variety of major and minor scales. Additional solo repertoire is selected based on the student’s interests (classical, jazz, popular, etc.) and skill levels for fun and further development. Selected music for listening is often assigned for the week to help develop the student’s tonal concept and style on their instrument. For students that are interested, improvisation is introduced via the blues and simple jazz chord progressions.
Advanced students focus on interpretation of style, improvisation, and theory as it applies to the genre of music they are studying. For Jazz students, advanced theory, arranging techniques, and improvisation through chord scales, substitutions, transcriptions, and melodic concepts are covered. Composition is encouraged at this point. Classical students focus on repertoire, advanced technique, and interpretation. Students will also begin working with extreme registers of the instrument, focusing on the range above “high Bb,” lip slurs for flexibility, and low note exercises to promote even facility throughout the instrument.
Clarinet and Flute Lessons
The objective of the lessons will be to develop all aspects of the flutists’ technique: fundamentals of tone, musicality, how to approach practicing, build technique, increase physical awareness, hone performance skills, and acquire a functional knowledge of music theory and history. These fundamentals will be a priority for the growth of classical as well as jazz flute students.
The beginning flutist will learn to have a controlled and focused tone, to use proper hand position, and will be introduced to basic music theory. Theory will be comprised of an introduction to long tones and intonation, scales, key signature, and identification of notes on the staff- all in preparation for the use of Method Book 1.
Intermediate students will be advised to bring representation of repertoire and materials to the first lesson so that the level of performance can be determined. Generally, instruction of scales and intervals will be used as a warm-up in each lesson, followed by guided practice of Methods book 1 and 2 material, for sight reading and technique building purposes.
Advanced students will also be asked to bring in all materials and be prepared to demonstrate their level of mastery by playing an excerpt of a piece that has been worked up to the performance level. Scales, intervals, and arpeggios will be played at the beginning of each lesson as a warmup. After warmups, the student will play through the etude that was assigned the previous week by the instructor, followed by sight reading (jazz students will spend the duration of the lesson sight reading as well as improvising and discussing chord changes). Lastly, the student will receive guided instruction of their current repertoire assigned by the instructor OR repertoire brought in by the student for a school band/orchestra or church performance.
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* Introductory Lessons are offered for only new prospective students, and include a meet & greet with an instructor, studio tour and small 15 minute introduction lesson. Music lessons are a commitment, and we want you to feel comfortable and welcome at The Music Workshop.
Address
5810 York Road
Baltimore, MD 21212
Call Us
410.323.1524
Email Us
frontdesk@musicworkshopschool.com