Qualification:

Professor of Saxophone - LHNCM

Experience:

Award-winning Selmer-artist Tom Hornig is a world-class saxophone player whose ability to combine a jazz sensibility with Middle Eastern music traditions has made him an invaluable asset to some of the Middle Easts premier artists such as Charbel Rouhana, Ziad Rahbani and Hiba Tawaji. He is American and French educated and currently holds the position of professor at the Lebanese Conservatory in Beirut.

Approach:

Detailed Class Description:   The first several lessons will be all about establishing a good embouchure, posture, hand position and a basic understanding of the saxophone but also, through the study of scales, a practical understanding of the mechanics of music while studying the mechanics of your instrument through the practice of scales. If, at the end of the 5th week you are able to play all twelve major scales, you will likely play music for the rest of your life. Learning your twelve major scales are that important. Beyond week five a greater emphasis will be put on learning to read and study material will be introduced. Students will be encouraged to do independent research on line to discover the history of the instrument and discover music and musicians they may not have heard of. More advanced students will be encouraged to make clear decisions about learning objectives and reverse-engineer success with focus on developing skill sets needed for desired outcomes. For example: development of a mature saxophone, learning how to improvise, preparing for a solo classical performance, development of an intuitive sense for rhythmic ad melodic phrasing and harmony, learning and memorizing Jazz Standards, composing music and leading an ensemble… Here is a week-by-week general outline:Week-one goals (Free lesson) - Confirm that you have a good set-up (instrument / accessories) - Asses your goals - Get you started with prepared video lessons (a first look at things) Week-two goals - Review subjects covered in videos offered in week-one - Learn a few basic fingerings - Simple daily embouchure and position forming exercises (strictly no sound) Week-three goals - Confirm that muscle memory related to embouchure and position is beginning to settle-in - Learn more fingerings - Simple daily embouchure and position forming exercises (long tones) Week-four goals - Continued, vigilant focus on the formation of a good embouchure, good hand-position and good posture - Learn remaining fingerings (32 notes in the normal range) -  Simple daily embouchure and position forming exercises (articulation exercises) Week-five goals - Assess your progress and interests - Learn all 12 major scales, one octave (fast track for teens and adults) - Learn two to three major scales, one octave and start work on Hubert Prati’s “L’Alphabet du Saxophone” or a similar method study for beginner saxophonists  

Area:

Jebel Ali