Matt Burkett Music

Matt Burkett Music

5.0Exceptional(7 reviews)
Top Pro
Offers online services
Top Pro
Offers online services

About

I'm a professional saxophonist and composer with 14 years playing and 7 years teaching experience. I have a virtual and in person studio in Inwood, NYC.

I take great pride in tailoring lessons to meet my student's wants and interests with the saxophone, while still making sure that the fundamentals of the instrument are thoroughly understood. Ultimately, my goal is to give people the skills needed for them to teach themselves what they want to learn!I'm a professional saxophonist and composer with 14 years playing and 7 years teaching experience. I have a virtual and in person studio in Inwood, NYC.

I owe everything to the teachers that inspired me when I was young. I love passing on what I know, and to learn from my student’s unique viewpoints and experiences.


Highlights

Current Top Pro
Hired 10 times
1 employee
10 years in business
Serves New York , NY
Offers online services

Payment methods

Cash, Venmo, Zelle

Social media


Specialties

Instrument(s)

Piano, Violin, Guitar, Drum, Cello, Other, Student does not play an instrument

Experience level

No experience, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Students age

Younger than 6 years old, 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

Interest(s)

Fundamentals (pitch, rhythm, chords, etc.), Harmonization, Counterpoint, Music subjects (notation, analysis, ear training), Other

Lesson length

30 minutes, 45 minutes, 60 minutes

Photos and videos


  • Reviews

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    EB

    Eric B.

    My son Tom was a first-year public school band student (saxophone) in fourth grade. I wanted to keep him playing during the summer, and Matt really came through with challenging and engaging practice sessions. Tom said it was harder than band practice, and pretty soon I found that he was opening the case and practicing on his own without any prompting from me.
    Matt helped him pick some music to work on, set some goals, and they consistently worked and advanced, and worked and advanced. Tom did his lessons over Zoom and it was ideal. I could hear in the tone in my sons voice that he really liked Matt and felt relaxed. And then I would hear this organized, structured practice session, and I was amazed at how Tom improved.
    This fall a buddy of Toms from another school asked the Band teacher if he know my son. The Band teacher said yes he did, and that Tom was the best saxophone player in the fifth grade! Im grateful to Matt for working with my kid, and Im looking forward to hiring him again.
    ... Show more
    November 06, 2022

    P1

    Piper, 1.

    I like how Matt insists on slowing everything down to really get a good understanding of notes, rythem, etc. He is a very fun person and knows a LOT about music. Matt is a super supportive instructor!
    ... Show more
    October 30, 2022

    CN

    Chad N.

    Ive been playing the saxophone for 10 years, and I have never sounded as good or felt as confident since taking lessons with Matt. Matt plans lessons around achieving my goals as a musician, specifically improving my improvisation. Matt explains ideas I have struggled to comprehend in a way that makes me feel like I could have discovered these musical ideas myself. We work on everything from fundamentals, sound, technique, and theory, and Matt provides fun exercises that allow me to put ideas into practice. Contemplating concepts like voice leading, chord progressions, and substitutions have given me a plethora of material to keep me busy, and makes me excited to pick up the saxophone and continue working on my musical journey. I highly recommend lessons with Matt for any level player.
    ... Show more
    September 26, 2021

    CR

    Cedric R.

    Matt is extremely knowledgeable and patient. I have learned a lot about music and music theory. My wife can see the improvement from where I started 10 months ago. Matt is more than capable of helping achieve your musical goals.
    ... Show more
    September 26, 2021
    Hired on Lessons

    EK

    Elizabeth K.

    Matt is a wonderful teacher. I have thoroughly enjoyed my lessons wirh him. Sadly i have had to take a vrief hiatus, but am looking forward to resuming soon!
    ... Show more
    September 26, 2021
    Hired on Lessons

    AB

    Armand B.

    Great lessons, nice relaxed atmosphere with a lot of flexibility regarding the timing of the lessons as well as the level of progress. Very positive build up and pleasant learning environment.
    ... Show more
    September 25, 2021

    Frequently asked questions

    First lessons are generally diagnostic. First, I'll ask some questions about past experience. Second, the student and I will make some sounds with the saxophones, and from there I'll assess which aspects of the fundamentals (breath, usually) need to be adressed. The remainder of first lessons are generally spent addressing fundamentals and devising a practice routine, and if the student has a very specific goal in mind, we can talk about how to best achieve that goal. 

    I'm a graduate of Manhattan School of Music's jazz program, where I majored in Tenor Saxophone Performance (BA '18) and studied with Dave Liebman, Dayna Stevens, and Rich Perry. While in college, I took pedagogy classes in addition to my major. Prior to college, I took saxophone lessons for 7 years, with the last 3 of those years being focused on learning jazz and improvisation. 

    In general, and hour long lesson at my studio (Inwood, Manhattan) is $65/hr. If the student needs me to travel to them, I calculate additional cost based on travel time (a formula of $7.50/hr of round trip travel + cost of public transportation). Prices are negociable, within reason, and according to need. 

    I first started midway through highschool, tutoring fellow students in my school's jazz band, at first just saxophone players, then anyone who wanted to learn how to solo on the songs we were playing. After I graduated, I began taking the teaching other places, to students around my area (then Annapolis, MD). I've been teaching ever since!

    I've worked with students from ages 10-70, from absolute, never-played-a-note beginners, to middle/high schoolers looking to improve faster, to adults looking for a greater theoretical understanding about music and saxophone, to people who haven't played saxophone in many years and are looking to pick up the horn again.

    Know what you want to learn! It's always a good idea to have a plan going in to trying to learn a new skill. The next most important thing is to know when to throw out the plan and reasses. There is no point in sticking with a practice routine that isn't going to work for you anymore! This is why it's important to find a teacher who is going to work for you, you specifically, and not just from a book. 

    It depends on the experience of the student. If you've never touched a saxophone before, maybe the most important question is how long can I set aside to practice. For students with more experience, the question may be what is holding me back from improving right now? Sometimes, that question can only be answered by a teacher.


    Services offered

    Music Theory
    Brass Lessons