Teaching
Phil has a great deal of experience teaching instrumental and ensemble music at all levels in both state and independent institutions from Primary through to Higher Education. He also has an established, thriving and successful private teaching practice where students can receive bespoke private lessons from his music studio.
Phil teaches all aspects of woodwind technique for saxophone, clarinet and flute including; sound production, tone quality, embouchure, finger technique and posture. Advanced techniques such as; Multiphonics, glissando, growling and saxophone altissimo can also be covered. Phil teaches jazz improvisation on a one to one basis as well as music theory, composition/arranging and conducting/musical direction.
Phil successfully prepares students for all ABRSM examinations and diplomas in addition to university/music college auditions, recitals and performances.
Phil can also work with whole ensembles improving the standard of performance in a friendly and informative way. Details of this type of teaching are available on request.
"Phil is an excellent saxophone teacher. His musical knowledge, and knowledge of the instrument gives you the assurance that you are in very safe hands.
More important for me though, is the patient and methodical manner in which he teaches. He is always ready to go back to basics to make the 'impossible' eminently playable."
"Thanks to Phil's incisive attention to detail, focussed exercises to correct faults and improve technique I achieved Grade 8 with Merit. That's 3 grades above what I thought was my limit at age 59! His patient good humoured encouragement made lessons a pleasure - worth taking time off work for."
"Phil is and has been a truly inspirational teacher, always positive and striving to encourage me to be the best that I can. I never imagined that after ten years of teaching I would obtain an ABRSM Grade 8 and now working towards a diploma."
"I started lessons with Phil when I was new to the sax and he was still in his teens. Over the succeeding years he has helped develop my skills with his consistent ability as a teacher. However, his commitment to the whole area of musicology is second to none. He is able to quickly identify areas needing improvement and can clearly describe and demonstrate them to his pupils in order for us to master the area in question. In addition, he has the ability to fix almost every malfunctioning instrument.
The most important thing I want to say is that after every lesson I have ever had with Phil I feel refreshed and energized as he imbues his love of music to everyone he teaches. He makes every lesson very enjoyable and so would wholeheartedly recommend him."