Saxophone & Clarinet Lessons 503.888.5796
Join my eight-week ensemble class for clarinet and saxophone
Collaborate musically with other musicians. Read, play, perform music together!
Weekly SERI begins Sept. 18. Registration for this class has closed.
Enroll Now!
I held the first ever SERI (Small Ensemble Reading Intensive) this summer. They were five days of intense music reading and playing in a small ensemble setting. A quartet made up of clarinet, tenor sax, alto sax and a soprano/alto sax player worked on and performed five pieces of music in the July SERI.
In August, there were two trios. The first trio consisted of soprano/alto sax, trumpet/French horn, and alto/tenor sax. The second trio was one clarinet and two tenor saxes.
“It’s fun to play in a small group. It helps you learn how to stay together better.” Julian
“We played different genres of music. Each style focused on different [skills].” Maya
“Swing is fun!” Daniel
“I didn’t think I would have tried jazz or swing if I had been selecting the music – but I actually enjoyed it!” Deborah
Now I’m expanding the five-day SERI into an eight-week class.
Enroll now!
Weekly SERI
Just like the summer SERI, participants will work on a number of pieces. The difference is they will have a week in between each class to practice what they learn in class.
Save The Date
Weekly SERI will run every Tuesday from Sept. 18 to Nov. 6 from 4:30-6:30pm. This is a great opportunity for clarinet players and saxophonists to play in a small ensemble and learn some great music.
What’s a reading intensive, anyway?
We play duets, trios, quartets – music for two or more instruments. When we play a song and each musician plays a different part that harmonizes with or rhythmically blends with the others, that’s collaboration in action. We have to concentrate on our own personal part but also keep an ear out for what the other musicians are playing and how our own part fits with the other parts. It requires intense focus and concentration. And is incredibly fun too!
Benefits:
- Augment your listening skills
- Expand your small ensemble playing techniques
- Tune up your intonation sense
- Develop your sight-reading skills
- Master complex time signatures and rhythmic patterns
- Play music in many keys
You will receive:
- Sixteen hours of class time
- A healthy dose of personal attention in the small class size
- Positive and affirming coaching instruction
- Support to meet musical challenges
- Instruction on listening with regards to pitch
When you are a musician, it is great to make music by yourself. However, the enjoyment intensifies when you get together and ‘jam’ with other players in a small ensemble.
Weekly SERI participants will have some serious fun AND also be learning the skills of ensemble playing.
- Ability to play one’s own part while also listening to the other parts.
- Hearing how all the parts integrate to make a beautiful harmonic whole.
- Tuning your instrument to a tuner and tuning your instrument with other players.
The 411
Offered Tuesdays from 4:30-6:30pm at Grace Notes Music Studio starting Sept. 18 through Nov. 6. The fee is $340 for eight sessions and is due in full one week before the first class, Sept. 11.
Class size will max out at six students.
Participants will have played saxophone or clarinet for at least one year and be able to play at least 3 major scales on their instrument.
Registration closed