Jazz Piano & Saxophone Lessons with Haisem

I teach beginner to intermediate level saxophone and piano, with a focus on jazz. With beginner jazz students I focus heavily on basic jazz harmony and scales, while also incorporating a fair amount of listening homework for students, as I believe getting the sound of a jazz in a students ear is essential for their development. Depending on the students level I may also incorporate some transcription work.

With intermediate level students I tend to place a heavy emphasis on transcription, in conjunction with mastering the fundamental forms of jazz such as the blues, rhythm changes, and common jazz standards.

Much of my desire to expand my teaching practice can be attributed to a true passion for teaching and learning, however a large part also stems from negative experiences in my past with music instructors, many of which often left me feeling discouraged in my musical pursuit. I really strive to be the type of instructor that makes students feel encouraged and engaged, while also trying my best to remove the pressure that many students feel during or leading up to a music lesson. I believe that while many people quit music simply due to a lack of interest, I know from personal experience and through talking with countless former music students that often times it is an experience or multiple experiences with a music instructor that lead them to quit. I'm passionate about being a part of a musical community that encourages students in the ways that they need so that their passion for music can continue to flourish.

I have over 20 years of playing experience, throughout which I have been fortunate enough to study with some incredible musicians including Mark Turner, Walter Smith III, Gavin Templeton, and Terrance Blanchard. After graduating high school I spent years circuiting the LA/NY gig scene before returning to college to study jazz full time. This period before college proved incredibly valuable because I developed a strong sense of what was expected in different musical scenarios, which helped me hone in on what I wanted to focus on during my academic development.

My teaching style is heavily centered a balance between the students musical interests and a mastery of the fundamentals needed for the student to make consistent progress.

One the ways I might help a student celebrate their unique authenticity is by having discussions about what they are currently listening to, and what moves them musically. I would then incorporate that into our lessons by either teaching them a favorite song of their's, or having small periods during each lesson where we just listen to music in order to discover what moves that individual. I believe that taking an intuitive approach to teaching means having the ability to be sensitive, receptive, and observant to each individual student's emotions, capabilities, and limitations.

While I have my own unique teaching philosophy that I bring with me to each lesson, I rarely teach any two students the exact same curriculum, because I believe in tailoring each lesson to that individual and how they may be feeling on that specific day. I hope to create a feel good experience for my students by genuinely approaching each lesson with excitement and patience. Music can be a frustrating process, especially for those just starting out, and my goal would be that each student leave their lesson feeling empowered to tackle whatever challenges they may have faced during their practice journey.

Live music is one my favorite ways to stay inspired for many reasons, but mainly because it's a window into other peoples creative minds and influences. I truly enjoy listening to the different ways musicians reimagine the classics or push musical boundaries by mixing unorthodox sounds and instruments together.

Additionally I find that reading biographies and watching documentaries about musicians or albums is a great way for me to stay inspired as it provides a sort of window into their creative processes, as well as their creative struggles.