Expert saxophone instruction for all ages and skill levels
““I would absolutely recommend Maureen as your child’s alto saxophone tutor… my son is a twelve year old special needs child, and even with the sessions being virtual she’s been able to connect with him in a way that has allowed him to flourish well beyond what he would have been able to do.” ”
Welcome! I hope you are excited to start learning to play the saxophone because you are in the right place! I am truly passionate about this instrument as well as all the other lessons music has to teach us. When we play an instrument we learn patience, dedication, control over ourselves and how to connect to other people through art. As a teacher my philosophy is not to “scare” students into practicing more, but to bring out the joy that comes from making improvements every day. And don’t worry, you picked the best instrument of them all!
LOCATIONS:
I now have TWO locations where I can teach: in my home studio close to downtown Silver Spring MD and in The Falls Church Episcopal in Falls Church VA. As well as these I always offer live online lessons using the Google Meet platform for students who either live far away, or who don’t enjoy traffic! I can also do a hybrid, where we mostly do online lessons but three times a year we meet in person to deal with any breakage in the instrument, or enjoy playing duets together. Finally, I have a Youtube Channel: Saxophone Lessons with Ms. Walsh, where you can watch videos explaining the assignments and answering general questions.
SAXOPHONE CHOIR
In addition to private lessons I also run Saxophone Choirs in Silver Spring and Falls Church. In these choirs students get together and play real music from the classical repertoire by composers such as Debussy, Bach and Mozart. Occasionally we will have a special theme, such as pop music from a particular decade. Right now all students are welcome! Learn more here: Saxophone Choir
Frequently Asked Questions about Saxophone Lessons
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I do virtual lessons with students all over the world using Google Meet and in person lessons in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Falls Church VA. Students come to me from Bethesda, Rockville, Hyattesville, Arlington, Fairfax and Washington D.C.
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All ages! Saxophonists usually start as early as fourth grade, so long as they are ready for lessons and have large enough hands. For students between 5 and 8 I can design a Suzuki based program which would require parental involvement.
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For online lessons you will need the best computer you have available, internet connected by a cable (rather than wi-fi,) headphones and if possible an external microphone. For saxophone equipment I’ve created a purchasing guide which you can find below.
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I use the Rubank series as my core etude book because it remains the most comprehensive for teaching students everything they need to know to do well in band class. Think of etudes as exercises designed to develop technique. To supplement Rubank I use several other books which contain songs, pieces, and duets which is how we use technique in playing real music. I like to find music from all eras of classical music including renaissance music, orchestral music, and important solo works.
I also have a separate website which has pdfs of all the beginner etude books, as well as practice guides and audio files to help in the first year.
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I am a classical saxophonist, which means I play the same kind of music an orchestral violinist plays. For those interested in jazz I can certainly teach beginners and I do teach jazz standards from The Real Book. If a student is ready to pursue a career or degree in jazz I would recommend one of my great colleagues to take over.
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A very good standard is 30 minutes of practice every day with a lesson each week to achieve the best progress. More importantly is consistency, so if there isn’t enough time, then so long as you have a consistent schedule you will make progress. All progress is good progress!
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My mission is to make sure I have an option that will work for all of my student’s needs. If you are concerned about price we will find option that works for you. Check out my Young Professional Development program and my Video Response program for some ideas on affordable options.
30 minutes: $45
45 minutes: $60
1 hour: $75
Study with one of my advanced students: Starting at $12.5
Video Response: $15 each
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For advanced students, I want to make sure I not only teach them how to play, but how to teach. For select students who have completed the Rubank series, I hold short monthly sessions where I talk about teaching methods and student recruitment. Then for any students who come to me looking for affordable options, I refer them to my Young Professionals and provide guidance as they teach the beginning students. This is great for the older students as it gives them a head start in building their own studio before they even start college, and it provides affordable lessons to young students while still falling under my “teaching umbrella.” A win-win!
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Video response lessons allow the student to get feedback any time it’s convenient for them for a low price. The student will record up to 15 minutes of a piece or etude they are working on, and I respond with my thoughts and suggestions. This is great for students preparing for solo and ensemble, or auditioning for all-county or all-state band.
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My son who plays in high school honors band is taking alto sax lessons with Maureen for past few months. Maureen is an amazing teacher, very detail oriented focused. My son has learned advanced techniques and won few medals at state level with superior rating of 1. I would highly recommend Maureen, she is a fabulous saxophone teacher who is actively involved and renowned personality in music community with playing in many DC metro area concerts. My son enjoys every lesson and will be continuing to be her student in coming year.”
Resources for Parents
Looking to purchase an instrument but you need some guidance? I can help!