Why isn’t my child reading sheet music?

    Good question!  Children new to making music with an instrument should be allowed to explore it in the same way they learned language (listening and speaking before reading and writing).  While I will insist that they properly assemble the instrument and learn to put the bell on the long joint and not on the boot, I won’t insist they learn that the second space on the treble clef staff is an A, and it is fingered... Students learn music best if they get to attend to the aural skills (what a pitch or a harmony sounds like) before learning the visual representation of music (black dots on a page).  I didn’t figure this out on my own!  Music Learning Theory taught at the Eastman School of Music by Dr. Christopher Azzara and Dr. Richard Grunow enlightened me.

Why does my kid need all this...stuff?

    Sometimes bassoonists look like they carrying their weight in bags of music, the instrument, and accessories.  Some of the equipment that your child will need is expensive.  I assure you though, that all of it is necessary.  A bassoonist has to have at least 2 working reeds.  You never know when one might meet an unexpected end (accidental squashage from Nike).  For some things, you can cut costs.  For example, I can show you how to make a reed box out of an Altoids tin.  A reed soaker can be a 2oz Tupperware, a clean prescription bottle, or film canister.  Most people have CD players--it’s essential that students use the CDs to listen and play along with to develop their “inner ear” and enhance their enjoyment of playing.  Often copying one sheet of staff paper several times is cheaper than buying a book of it.  A metronome will assist in playing at the right time, and a tuner will help the student learn to play centered and in-tune. 

Why do you need 24 hours notice in case of cancellation?

    You might have noticed in my lesson policy that I require 24 hours notice, except in emergency situations.  This is a standard policy enforced by many professions in which one makes an appointment.  Please keep in mind that I am a professional with a degree.  This is my job.  I will extend you the same courtesy.  If I must cancel a lesson within 24 hours, you won’t pay for it; we’ll either reschedule, or you get a free lesson later.

Ok, but why the bassoon?  It’s such a weird instrument!

    I passionately love the woody, mellow sound of the bassoon.  It may not be the loudest or the most famous, or even the most recognizable, but it is uniquely versatile: the bassoon can be the clown or the mourner, saucy or noble, the familiar ancient or the strange newcomer. 

I’m passionate about developing every student’s bassoon sound.  That passion is what drives my teaching.  I promise to foster in each student an excitement for understanding and playing music, a love of the bassoon sound, and provide a fun and safe atmosphere for learning.