About
I'm a a seasoned instructor in guitar, ukulele, and songwriting. I also offer lessons in public speaking and voice-over performance. I welcome students of all ages and skill levels, as I've successfully (and happily) taught everyone from absolute beginners to pro-level musicians and recording artists.
I am a dedicated, continually focused, caring, and reliable teacher, which is why a good number of my students tend to study with me for years. That, along with my wealth of knowledge, diversity of instruction, and patience are among my calling cards. I pride myself on customizing every student's lessons based on their particular preferences, goals, and skill level. "It's a very personalized kind of instruction, as I never take a cookie-cutter approach to teaching...".
Jeff makes 3 promises to his students:
1-to give them customized lessons,
2-be attentive to their needs and goals
3-to make them feel like every lesson is worth their investment of time and money.
As long as students practice regularly, they can expect to notice substantial improvements in the quallity and clarity of their playing, learn new and more interesting chords, sharpen their musical ear, and learn to play some of the songs they've always wanted to learn.
When asked to summarize his views on teaching and music, Jeff replies: "Teaching and playing music always puts a smile on my face; especially when I see that the student is having fun, learning what they want to learn and feeling the passion about music that motivated me to pursue my own musical career".
*** Lesson Details ***
At the first lesson, I will ask you to tell me what songs you want to play and artists you want to play like and I will set the table for that by providing the chords you'll need, chord and scales and exercises to enable you to play them and guidelines and tricks on how to make it happen as quickly as possible. I know a wide variety of songs in all styles and styles, including current hit songs as well as pop, rock, blues, jazz, country songs. if you have a song or artist that I don't know already, I will learn it (often on the spot) and if not right then, at the next lesson. I have taught my students to play songs they requested by artists as varied as John Mayer, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, U2, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Jason Mraz, Adele, Duke Ellington, Eric Clapton, Django Reinhardt, Doc Watson. And that's just to name a few.
I always make it clear to my students at the first lesson: "There is no such thing as a stupid question". I want you to feel comfortable to stop me at any time to clarify what I am teaching you, ESPECIALLY if it is too difficult or vague. I pride myself on always being organized for your lesson and making sure that you grasp whatever it is I am teaching you. The goal is to get you to be able to play what you want as quickly as possible. This will take practice and dedication on your part, but I will do everything in my power to help you get there.
I never force anything on any of my students. but I feel it would be beneficial for you to learn to read music OR read tablature and chord diagrams. You tell me which one and we'll go in that direction. If you'd like to read music, then we can decide on a book for you. I have used Hal Leonard instructional books (with CD's! this way you can play with a backing track and get a sense of rhythm, which is very important), but I'm open to other method books you might have or like.
Along with being a longstanding and sought-after teacher, I'm also a singer-songwriter with 5 commercially-released CD's of my original songs and a few quite unique cover tunes). You can hear some of my music on SoundCloud. Here's a link:
https://soundcloud.com/jeffsaxonmusic/sets/jeff-saxon
Every single lesson I teach is customized to fit that particular student for that particular lesson. That, along with an uncanny sense of observation and staying in-the-moment with that student for their lessons. In addition, I will always be receptive to specific songs or styles of interest to the student and do all I can to develop their skills to where hopefully they can play them.
Photos and videos
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I typically send the student (or their parent or guardian, if applicable) a short questionaire that asks some basic and specific questions regarding skill level, interests, music they like and/or want to play, whether they can (or would like to) to read music or would prefer to learn via tablature, and if they have the desire to perform for family and/or friends.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been in the music industry most of my life and have created and taught songwriting, ukulele, and guitar classes at music schools, colleges, and universities. I've also taught private music lessons for over 3 decades. I'm an award-winning singer-songwriter, a former staff songwriter for a NYC publishing company, and have critically-acclaimed recordings of orginal songs.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
Currently my standard price rate is $60.00 an hour, $45 for a 45 minute lesson and $35 for a half hour lesson.
If, however, I am traveling to a student's location (who lives within the 20 miles radius of me), I ask for a modest $5 transportation fee to help defray my expenses.
How did you get started teaching?
I got started teaching guitar many years ago when people approached me after hearing me perform in clubs and restuarants and other venues, asking about lessons. One student led to the next thru word of mouth.
I got started teaching ukulele when I was asked to do so by a company i have taught guitar with for over 11 years: Takelessons. I didn't even have a ukulele at that time, but quickly bought one, learned it, and developed a way to teach it. I also became smitten with this tiny, but very cool instrument, wrote songs on it, and then developed my own series of 8 different ukulele classes that I've since taught at 3 colleges in Washington state.
I got started teaching songwriting many years ago, when I was asked to speak about songwriting to a group of gifted and talented high school students who were assembled in a college auditorium. I had so much to say about it that it immediately led me to contact colleges and universities in my area to propose songwriting classes. One opportunity led to another and I just kept teaching and loved doing so.
What types of students have you worked with?
From ages 8 to 90-something; everyone from an absolute beginner to advanced/pro-level players. Some have absolutely no music background whatsoever. And while having some musical background is quite helpful, it's not a deal-breaker if you don't have it. I have also worked with several students who had physical or mental challenges.