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TEACHER
PRIVATE SAXOPHONE TUITION
I have a small number of private saxophone students.
Most teaching takes place on Saturday mornings and students attend as often or as irregularly as they wish. (current rate £35/hour)

IMPROVISATION TUITION
Where a student has mastered the basics of his/her own instrument (non-saxophone) I can offer instruction in improvisation.

NEW WEEKEND JAZZ COURSE IN EAST SUSSEX
A new course is starting next April... details to follow

WEEKEND COURSES at Farncombe Estate
These are becoming well established and a lot of fun!

ONE WEEK JAZZ SUMMER SCHOOLS
I regularly teach at the Burnley Jazz Summer School (LANCS) and the Canford Summer School of Music (Dorset)

RNCM SAX DAY WORKSHOPS
These have been taking place for almost ten years now. I present a beginners and an intermediate workshop at RNCM



Here are some of the comments I have received...

"Hi Mike. Many thanks for the excellent, clear, well structured and sympathetic teaching at Farncombe last weekend, and also for the education information on your website which I've downloaded and recommended our jazz workshop people to look at." ST

"I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the weekend at Farncombe. I had lots of fun but also feel that I learned a lot. I particularly found the stuff about modal approaches and the fit between scale and chords useful." JJ

"I would describe your teaching in general as inspirational, informative, sensitive and entertaining. " SR

"Just wanted to say thanks for all your hard work last week, I really enjoyed it and as expected found your teaching and facilitation inspiring." AD

"You are an awesome teacher... " DM

"Thought I ought to say a big THANK YOU. Another great week." SA

Standards for entry

 I want everyone to get the maximum out of my courses. However at Farncombe, Higham Hall and Canford, individual instrumental tuition is beyond the scope of the course. For this reason, while you do not need to have had any previous experience in jazz improvisation, you should have a basic command of your instrument in order to gain the most from the course.

  • For wind and string players this means knowing major scales (up to 3 sharps and flats, at least) and having basic reading skills; being able to match the notes on the stave with the fingering positions.
  • For pianists you should either be able to read written notation OR be able to play basic chords from chord symbols.
  • Drummers should know basic groove patterns in swing and simple Latin grooves. E.g., Bossa.
  • Bassists should either be able to read written notation OR create a walking bass line from chord symbols.


    • (Photo: Brian Pluthero)