Donald Jacobs Music Lessons and Performance

Hello! I offer instruction on saxophone, clarinet, flute, piano and recorder, and I also perform music for weddings, other parties, and home concerts. At the moment, I am currently accepting students only for the summer, June through August, 2023. I'm not a DJ. Please see my performance information below, after the teaching section. First: information about my teaching. I feel I am a highly qualified teacher, worthy of your consideration. I have been teaching professionally since the late 1970s. I really like teaching students, children and adults alike. My instruments are saxophone, clarinet, piano, guitar and flute. I can also work with students who sing, or play other instruments. Teaching success: I have taught hundreds of students during these years, so I feel I have learned how to work successfully with students who learn in many different ways. I also have taught many students who have autism. I have taught many, many students at every level, from beginner to professional. Learning to read music quickly: I incorporate a method that works quickly, that I haven't seen other teachers use. Student's and Family's Goals: Before I meet with a new student, I like to know what goals the student or his/her family might have. This helps me plan for what things to cover in lessons. I can quickly determine a student's strengths and weaker aspects in many aspects of music: tone quality, notes, rhythm, embouchure (mouth position), tonguing and phrasing. (I can also help a student know if they are using the best reed, mouthpiece and instrument for their present level of ability.) So I can give my student assignments and information that he/she can use to quickly improve their skills and address other issues related to playing their instrument. Jazz: I play jazz and teach jazz improvisation in a user-friendly approach. Genres: I love working with students on the kinds of music they are familiar with and want to play (including but not limited to): pop, classical, blues, jazz, and international (I play music from several European countries, including Greece, and Arabic music, and klezmer). How I relate to students: I believe that students feel comfortable working with me in lessons. I have a pretty good sense of humor, I think. I try to be sensitive to how things are going for a student who is working with me. I think I can see pretty quickly if things are going well with a student, or not so well, and use a different approach quickly and easily, as needed. Communication: I want my students and me to have good communication. I contact the student or his/her family a few days after the first lesson to see what they thought of the lesson, and if they have any questions, etc. I encourage students and families to contact me with any questions, concerns, or, of course, with good news. Music theory: I incorporate music theory into my teaching, when it can be useful. Second language: I speak Spanish pretty well, and understand spoken Spanish decently. Performance information: I have been performing professionally for more than forty years, with more than 1500 performances for happy clients and guests. Occasions: wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, receptions; Bar Mitzvahs; house concerts, backyard parties, and other concerts. I'm not a DJ. Genres: Jazz, gypsy jazz, dixieland, classic rock and pop; international, including klezmer, Jewish and Israeli music, Greek and other Balkan, Scandinavian music, and more. Group size: 2-10 musicians.