CLARINET & SAXOPHONE LESSONS

My specialty is teaching children, ages 9 through 18, who play or wish to play in their school band or orchestra. My goal is to have every student of mine sit in the first chair position. Many of my students have even become section leaders.

I have also developed a curriculum for children and adults who just want to play on their own. The course can be personalized to emphasize classical, pop, rock or jazz styles. I think that the Music Minus One series of books with accompaniment CD's is a wonderful way for woodwind players to practice playing with other musicians.

Aside from being a great teacher, I love his patience. Mark never corrects my granddaughter harshly, but calmly points to the music while instructing her what needs to be done. He loves kids and they know it!
- Barret Anne French

CHOOSING THE RIGHT INSTRUMENT

Clarinet or Saxophone is appropriate for students 9 years old and older. Ideally I would like to see the student take a couple years or more learning the rudiments of music on piano or electric keyboard before starting clarinet or saxophone. Compared to piano, producing a good tone on the saxophone or clarinet, requires much more effort and patient work. Trying to learn both the rudiments of music and work on producing a good tone, particularly for a young student, is sometimes too much.

If the student’s goal is to be able to play both instruments, it is easier to transition from clarinet to saxophone.

Selecting A Clarinet: For the young beginner consider the Amati ACL-201 Student Clarinet. The keys are laid out with the student's hand size as the primary consideration. For the intermediate student consider the Jupiter 731NT Intermediate Clarinet. For the adult beginner consider the Yamaha YCL-250 Standard Clarinet. For a professional instrument I would recommend a Buffet. The Buffet R13 Professional Clarinet is an excellent choice for the advanced level, serious musician. Another professional clarinet to consider would be the Selmer Paris Signature Bb Soprano Clarinet.

Selecting A Saxophone: I recommend that children begin on the alto sax. This is due to the larger size and heavier weight of the tenor sax and baritone sax. The technique is easily transferred to the larger instruments when the student is old enough to manage the size and weight of it. For the young beginner consider the Giardinelli GS312 Alto Saxophone which has a bell flare and body tapers designed especially for the smaller hands of student players. It allows easier blowing and delivers a warm sound with precise intonation. For the beginning, intermediate and advanced adult player consider the  Yamaha YAS-475 or the Jupiter 767GL Deluxe Alto Sax. Good professional models to consider are the Yamaha YAS-62II Professional Eb Alto Saxophone; Selmer Paris Series III Model 62 Professional Alto Saxophone and Selmer Paris Reference 54 Eb Alto Saxophone.