Master of Music and former Army Band bassoonist teaches all levels of bassoon, from beginner to advanced

Find out more about Lee

• 1) When did you first develop a passion for music and your favorite instrument?

  My grandmother and mother were both musical and played piano, so I was interested from an early age and started piano lessons at age 6. But at 14 I became obsessed with the Beatles and was convinced that I needed a guitar, and piano quickly took a back seat. At the same time I was recruited into my school band to play bassoon - because no one else wanted to - and since then I have never been able to put either instrument down.

• 2) Is there a particular type of music or artist that you could listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  To be honest, I have never listened to music "on a loop" or repeated, as I am very sensitive to repetition and will burn out on music if I hear it too often. One downside of being a music teacher is hearing your favorite songs and pieces too many times. As much as I love rock music of the 1960s and 70s, if I had to choose one genre of music to listen repeatedly, I would choose classical music - specifically, concert/art music of the 20th century, which is so varied and complex that I could never tire of it.

• 3) Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music.

  The most challenging aspect of teaching (and learning) music is understanding harmony, music theory, and chord progressions, and applying those ideas to musical works and songs for aural reinforcement. I went through four years of difficult music theory courses in college, but soon after, I was fortunate to go through Army training at the Armed Forces School of Music, which exposed me to a very simple and effective method of presenting music theory. Because the training course was only 12 weeks long, they found a compact and efficient way of explaining harmony, which I still use to this day. Music theory is complex and difficult, but learning to understand it is a very rewarding accomplishment.

• 4) What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  I was trained as a band director and had to learn the basics of every band and orchestra instrument, and of all of them, it turns out that my chosen wind instrument, the bassoon, is the most complex and difficult. It has 25 different key touches, uses a very specific and sensitive double reed, and is an acoustically imperfect instrument which requires a trained ear to manage pitch issues. Bassoon requires one to two years of instruction just to learn the basics, and at least two more years of intense study and practice to reach an intermediate or advanced level. Part of my job as a bassoon teacher is not only to instill good playing skills, but also to prevent frustration and burn out so that students will not give up on the instrument.

• 5) What are your keys to success?

  Preparation. They say "80% of life is just showing up", but that 20% of preparation and practice is what makes you good at it. Anyone who successfully plays any instrument knows that you need everything to support the playing: organization of your schedule, knowing your music, and having your instrument and all accessories fully functional and ready to perform. Music lessons are similar to performances: I am fully prepared for all lessons and keep notes and folders for each student, so I know exactly what we are working on and don't waste any time during lessons.
  
  Perseverance. You must be willing to push yourself through learning stages and the discomfort of working beyond your skill level. This has always been the main hindrance for learning instruments and it is even more difficult in current times, as people have less patience and are accustomed to simply tapping buttons for endless entertainment. But if you quit, you won't improve.

• 6) Name three musicians you dream of meeting (in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning). Explain why.

  Even when I was younger, bars (and late nights in them) were one of my least favorite things, but I would gladly suffer through a night in that environment if it meant I could meet one of my music heros: Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, or any of the dozens of living singer-songwriters who have inspired me to write and perform my own songs. It would be nice to chat about songwriting and how they keep writing and staying inspired into an advanced age.

• 7) Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  My first year in music college, I was so enthusiastic that I participated in every possible musical opportunity, even beyond those required: bands, orchestra and ensembles, pep band for sports events, and pit band for musicals, just for the experience and enjoyment of playing in different genres and venues. As the end of the year I was surprised to be informed that I had been given the Department Chair Award from the College of Liberal Arts, “For excellence in your major and for making an important contribution to the Department of Music”, which came with a cash award. I had no idea the award even existed before I received it. It was a nice reward, but of course, the experiences were the greatest reward.

• 8) What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  I really care about the learning environment and want each lesson to be the absolute best it can be, which includes both content and technical aspects of lessons, including great video and audio quality.
  
  I am flexible and adapt to each student's learning style and speed, and I let the student set the pace and progression according to their skills and needs.
  
  To avoid burnout, I don't spend too much time on any one skill or song, and occasionally introduce fresh areas of style or technique.
  
  My knowledge of music is wide and varied, and I love sharing my knowledge and experiences with my students.
  
  I am always grateful for music, and I hope it shows. :)