1^st lesson free

Riley

Rate $54
Response 1h

$54/h

1^st lesson free

Saxophone
Clarinet
Trumpet
Wind instruments
Trombone

Zesty sax mentor with 6 years of experience in energetic play, timing, and stylistic runs—ideal for funk and dance music.

Saxophone
Clarinet
Trumpet
Wind instruments
Trombone

Lesson location

- online

About Riley

Teaching saxophone is a journey that I approach with deep respect for each student’s individuality and the unique musical voice they bring to the instrument. From the outset, I prioritize building a strong technical foundation, including proper breath support, embouchure development, posture, finger dexterity, and articulation, as these are essential for creating a beautiful, consistent tone and fluent playing. I emphasize tone production and intonation early, helping students develop control and expressiveness that serve as the bedrock for all musical styles. Beyond technique, I integrate improvisation into lessons from the very beginning, encouraging students to experiment with simple scales, motifs, and call-and-response exercises that foster creativity and musical intuition. Music theory is woven into lessons naturally, always connected directly to what the student is playing or improvising, making abstract concepts like modes, chords, and harmonic progressions accessible and meaningful. Students choose repertoire that excites them—whether it’s jazz standards, blues, popular music, or classical works—so lessons are relevant and motivating. Clear goal-setting and reflective progress assessments keep students focused and inspired. I also leverage technology such as recording tools, backing tracks, and slow-down apps to support effective practice and self-evaluation. One of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had was helping a student overcome initial frustration with tone production and embouchure control to perform confidently in a school jazz ensemble. This transformation reaffirmed the importance of patience, personalized guidance, and a supportive learning environment. Ultimately, my mission as a saxophone teacher is to nurture musicians who are not only technically skilled but also expressive, confident, and deeply connected to their music, ready to explore and contribute to the rich tapestry of saxophone performance.

About the lesson

Teaching saxophone requires a balance of structure and creativity, and my approach reflects that belief by combining disciplined technical instruction with encouragement of artistic freedom. I focus on building fundamental skills such as embouchure, breath control, finger agility, and articulation, creating a solid base for all styles of playing. From the beginning, I introduce improvisation and ear training to cultivate musical independence and creativity.

I incorporate music theory and harmonic analysis to help students understand the framework of the music they play and improvise over. Lessons are tailored to each student’s interests and goals, whether they are preparing for formal auditions, playing in jazz combos, or exploring their own compositions. I use a variety of teaching aids including play-along tracks, recording devices, and digital tools to make practice effective and engaging. Ensemble coaching is an important part of my instruction, helping students develop listening skills and confidence in group settings.

I foster a supportive and inspiring atmosphere where students are encouraged to take risks and explore their musical ideas. One of the most fulfilling experiences was guiding a student from beginner to confident soloist who now performs regularly in local jazz venues. My mission is to help students develop technical proficiency, musical expression, and a personal connection to the saxophone that lasts a lifetime.

Rates

Rate

Pack rates

5 h: $270
10 h: $540

online

$54/h

free lessons

This first lesson offered with Riley will allow you to get to know each other and clearly specify your needs for your next lessons.

1hrs

Zesty sax mentor with 6 years of experience in energetic play, timing, and stylistic runs—ideal for funk and dance music.

Lesson location

About Riley

About the lesson

Rates

Rate

Pack rates

online

free lessons

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Madison

Zesty sax mentor with 6 years of experience in energetic play, timing, and stylistic runs—ideal for funk and dance music.

Lesson location

About Riley

About the lesson

Rates

Rate

Pack rates

online

free lessons

Other tutors in Saxophone

Harrison

Branko

Doug

Elina

Sebastian

Nikita

Ka Hei

Jörg

Dima

Victoria

Igor

Elias

Andrew

Lucas

Nena

Dana

Haley

Janet

Le

Madison

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levels

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