Bergwind Woodwind Instruction

Bergwind Woodwind Instruction

5.0Exceptional(10 reviews)
Offers online services
Offers online services

About

I play several instruments and enjoy them all, but at heart, I’m a clarinet player. At age 18, eight years after first picking up the clarinet, I debuted as concerto soloist with the San Francisco Symphony. My love of saxophone is only slightly less. At 12 years old, I started playing the saxophone and four years later I performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival. I play professionally in various settings, often playing the flute along side saxophone and clarinet in pit orchestras. The recorder is also a beautiful instrument, albeit underappreciated. I continue to be intrigued by the haunting beauty of Renaissance and Baroque music, heyday of the recorder. I strive to make this beautiful instrument come alive for students’ young and old alike.

Students enjoy my diverse and broad understanding of music, and how much I know just off the top of my head. Working with me, they gain a solid knowledge of the instrument they are trying to learn. It’s not just about playing songs - it’s the technique and practice regimen that builds competence. Because I play several wind instruments, I’m able to cross-pollinate techniques to help students develop their skills. I have taught the majority of clarinetists of the Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra for many years.

I enjoy teaching all age levels and abilities. I can go from teaching “Hot Cross Buns” to a beginner to helping a student prepare for a major audition. Many of my students have received numerous accolades. I have placed students in the youth orchestras of San Francisco, Marin, Oakland and Berkeley. I have also placed students in the California All-State Honor Band, San Francisco Conservatory, Stanford Jazz Camp, California Jazz Conservatory, Cazadero Music Camp, Interlochen Arts Academy, among others.

My approach to teaching is to rely on insights and materials that I’ve developed over many years performing and teaching. I like to make things fun, but also strive to inspire and motivate my students to excel. I use demonstration to help students understand concepts and I encourage them to participate in ensembles to broaden their perspective and grow, plus it gives them something to practice for! I really enjoy starting students at the very beginning level and watching them grow. By starting them off correctly, I don’t have to fuss with undoing bad technique. Proper technique starts on day one. It can be done in a fun manner, but it needs to be done.


Highlights

Hired 5 times
1 employee
49 years in business
Serves San Rafael , CA
Offers online services

Specialties

Students age

6 - 9 years old, 10 - 13 years old, 14 - 17 years old, 18 - 25 years old, 26 - 44 years old, 45 - 64 years old, 65 or older

Student experience

No formal training, No formal training; some self-taught experience, 0 - 2 yrs of formal training, 2 - 4 yrs of formal training, 4+ yrs of formal training

Able to read music

Student can read music, Student cannot read music

Musical styles

I can recommend a genre, Rock, Blues, Classical, Jazz, Folk, Country

Student has instrument

Students who have an instrument, Students who plan to buy an instrument, but don't have one yet

Lesson length

30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes

Photos and videos


  • Reviews

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    JQ

    Josh Q.

    Steven is an outstanding teacher. He has a wonderful way of talking and teaching to my 13 yo clarinet+saxophone player. He recognizes him as a young adult and treats him maturely. Steven is a highly skilled instructor. He has greatly improved our sons technique over the past year.
    ... Show more
    November 03, 2020

    CR

    Carolina R.

    He is an amazing teacher.
    In my family nobody plays music. My daughter is the first one in my family interested in music.
    She loves her lessons with Mr. Bergman, she is progressing a lot,she started playing the recorder and now she moves to the clarinet.
    Also whit all this happening (covid 19)
    He is helping us a lot.
    ... Show more
    October 15, 2020

    JL

    Jennifer L.

    Steve has been a strong force for good in our son’s development on the tenor sax these past six years. As a musical mentor, Steve teaches with a mindset that students grow into their instruments and his stories, patience and adherence to laying a strong musical foundation supports this approach. Steve has used humor and clear direction to guide our son from age 9 to 14, from elementary school to high school band and jazz band. Our son is a more confident and competent musician because of Steve.
    ... Show more
    October 15, 2020

    NM

    Neil M.

    I enthusiastically recommend my sax and clarinet teacher Steve Bergman. Steve has been my teacher for three-plus years. He is an outstanding teacher of both classical clarinet and jazz sax. I started as a complete beginner with Steve at age 64. Steve does a great job of letting students set their own pace. His clarinet lessons excited me so much that I took up alto and tenor sax. Steve teaches just enough music theory for me to move to the next level. Steve is now teaching me the fundamentals of jazz improvisation. He also gave me helpful guidance buying instruments and accessories, and saved me a lot of money in the process. I’ve gotten to know some of Steve’s other students, and they are also enthusiastic about him. Every week I look forward to my lesson with Steve!
    ... Show more
    October 14, 2020

    AR

    Ashley R.

    Mr Bergman has been my twelve year-old sons music teacher for five years. In that time, my son has gone from casually playing the recorder to becoming a flute player in our countys youth orchestra. In addition, with Mr Bergman, my son has learned to seamlessly read music.
    My son really enjoys his time with Mr Bergman, and he particularly likes the time they spend talking on a variety of subjects related to music. Before the pandemic, lessons were at our house, and Mr Bergman went out of his way to include my younger children (by bringing them instruments to experiment with and by teaching my son pieces that the younger two would like). Current lessons (via Zoom) are primarily focused on my sons orchestra pieces, but Mr Bergman also makes time to include modern music and songs which bring a bit more fun and playfulness to his flute studies.
    Mr Bergman is a wonderful instructor. I dont believe my son would still be playing an instrument if he hadnt connected with Mr Bergman.
    ... Show more
    October 14, 2020

    C

    Craig

    My child (Jacob) has been taught by Steve since second grade progressing from Recorder to Flute, Clarinet and Saxophone. Steves patience, knowledge and enthusiasm has managed to keep Jacob motivated and engaged in music education for many years. Its a pleasure to listen to the progress made each week now that the lessons are held online.
    ... Show more
    October 14, 2020

    Frequently asked questions

    I start out by having a new student play something for me.  It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate.  I emphasize that I don’t know them and need to hear where they’re at.  If they don’t have any music, I have plenty of blank music paper and other materials at my disposal.  I stress learning proper fingerings and techniques, even for an elementary tune.  I’m not strict about it at the beginning, however.  I always make things fun.

    I have a bachelor’s degree in music performance (clarinet and saxophone emphasis) from the University of North Texas.  I have been teaching private music lessons for over 45 years and have my method of teaching codified.  I am a professional performer and bring that sensibility to the lesson.  I don’t just talk.  I back up my words and concepts with live musical performance directly in front of the student.  Being able to play well and demonstrate concepts is very important.

    I charge the same fees for everyone.  Ability level doesn’t affect the price.

     

    30 minutes:   $40.00

    45 minutes:  $60.00

    60 minutes:   $80.00

    I taught my first private student, when I was in the 8th grade.  I had 15 students by the time I was a senior in high school.  It continued and grew from there.  I have been teaching private woodwind lessons for over 45 years.  Performing and teaching are one and the same.  Teaching helps the student grow, but it also helps the teacher grow.  Ideas should be shared – not squandered.  I have gained much wisdom and understanding over the years.

     

    My private studio has always had a wide array of students.  Typically, it ranges from ages 5 – 80.  Currently, my youngest student is 8 years old and my oldest student is 79 years old.  I teach recorder, flute, clarinet and saxophone.  All styles. All levels.  I have had many serious students win major competitions and auditions.  I have consistently placed students in well-respected ensembles across the SF Bay Area and in the California All-State Honor Band.  I have also put smiles on many young students' faces when they play “Jingle Bells” or “Happy Birthday” for the first time.  I love all of it.  I understand all of it.  I encourage all of it.

    I had an 8th grade clarinet student attain the Principal Clarinet chair in the Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra and perform Stravinsky’s “The Firebird”, an extremely difficult composition.  I started this student off from the very beginning only four years earlier.  I was very proud.

     

    Another recent event was encouraging a 79-year old gentleman to play the tenor saxophone and the familiar jazz standards that he loves so much.  He was often down on himself, and I encouraged him to just relax and enjoy it.  That took much effort, but my mission was finally accomplished.  Joy is not always about perfection.

    It’s important to find a teacher-student relationship that works for both individuals.  I also think it’s important to find a teacher who can actually play the instrument that they are teaching.  Demonstration is much better than just sitting there uttering commands.  A student shouldn’t be shy or ashamed about their playing.  The secret of efficient teaching is to find out what “step” the student is on and take them to the next one. 

    Every question is important.  None are trivial.  The beauty of a private teacher is that it’s just the student and the teacher.  The pace is determined by the student but guided by the teacher.  Many important teaching concepts can be taught in many different ways.  There isn’t just “one way” to get the job done.


    Services offered

    Flute
    Music Theory
    Clarinet