Tag Archives: Teaching Adult students

Sax in Antartica

One of the most exciting things about Cambridge Saxophone is getting to know my students. At the moment I have Research Professors, Brain Surgeons, CEO’s, fellow Professional Musicians and even a South Pole Research Scientist!

Pictured is my student Ali practicing her sax in Antartica. As a Cambridge Saxophone student you are part of a group that has members on all seven continents!

You can read the Cambridge News Front Page article about Cambridge Saxophone students here.

At Cambridge Saxophone I have subscribers from Brazil, North America, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Ukraine, North Africa, India and China.  Cambridge is known throughout the world as a premier education brand, and that is what you find at Cambridge Saxophone.

If you want to find out more about Cambridge Saxophone, I would love to hear from you.  Simply click this link to drop me an email, give me a call on 01223 8360997 or start one of our courses today!

One Buttock Phrasing

One Buttock Phrasing

Benjamin Zander is a leading interpreter of Mahler and Beethoven. Widely known for his charisma and amazing energy – and his brilliant pre-concert talks – he has an infectious passion for music that I hope you will find both moving and engaging.

Watch from 1:15 when he talks about the seven-year-old pianist.

The key is how the 11-year-old pianist has just one impulse per phrase …

How can we be ‘one-buttock’ saxophonists?

Consider what Benjamin says in this video:

  • Everyone has a fantastic ear
  • No one is tone deaf
  • Different combinations of notes – in all parts of the world, and in every kind of music – have the same power to change our mood.

Silent Night Project

Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria, is not a place you often hear about in the news. However, this year its most famous carol, ‘Silent Night’, has been used to reference the Christmas truce of 1914 and even to help Sainsbury’s shift some groceries!

‘Silent Night’ was first performed on Christmas Eve 1818 and has been translated into 140 languages. It was originally written for choir and acoustic guitar as the church organ was not working.

I thought it would be a good piece for us to work on as a group. I’m thrilled that so many of you took up the offer to join in this project.

Why I teach music

I’m often asked why and how I got into teaching the saxophone.

My answer can be as simple as two words: passion and inspiration.

I’ve been inspired by some great teachers over the years. Going right back to when I was just about tall enough to reach the keys and hammer away on my grandma’s organ, music has always fascinated me.

At primary school my teacher, who was not a trained musician, was so passionate about getting kids involved in music that he held DAILY band practices and an hour’s rehearsal after school on a Friday.

When I got older I met – and studied with – some of the biggest names in the saxophone world,  As I got to know them and found myself having amazing conversations with them, one thing struck me: ALL of them were passionate about music and wanted to draw other people in to know and love this wonderful art form.