Saxophone 101 (Basics of Playing, Technique and Sound)

From 79.88 C$ /h

Would you (or your child) like to learn the basics of playing saxophone? You are on the right page.

— Learning saxophone from zero (body posture, embouchure etc.)
— Individual approach based on tutee's skills
— Methodology based on Conservatorium van Amsterdam curriculum

Egor Tokarev is a saxophonist, composer, band leader of All Colors of Jazz Union who has released four albums of original music: «Bird 2020» (2020) — in duo with Sungtaek Choo, jazz pianist; «Vexillology», «Double Quintet» (2021); and «Without Rules» (2023) in cooperation with best jazzmen of St. Petersburg, Egor's hometown.

In 2024, Egor Tokarev & All Colors of Jazz Union have won 2 awards in DownBeat's 47th Annual Student Music Awards in following categories:

Original Composition for Small Jazz Ensemble — Egor Tokarev "Eight Winds" — Winner
Small Jazz Combo — Egor Tokarev & All Colors of Jazz Union — Outstanding Performance

Extra information

Own instrument required!
PLEASE NOTE: all lessons are videotaped for safety reasons. These videos are stored for 6 months, can be provided to you first request and intended for private use only.

Location

Use Ctrl + wheel to zoom!

At student's location :

Around Amsterdam, Netherlands

At teacher's location :

Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Conservatorium van Amsterdam

Online from Netherlands

About Me

My name is Egor — I am a jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger from the city of St. Petersburg, currently living in Amsterdam.
I do studies in Conservatorium van Amsterdam for Bachelor Jazz Saxophone degree, currently in Year 2.
I graduated from music college in St. Petersburg in 2022 with 'cum laude' certification.
I've released 3 albums of original music with my own project.
I am giving lessons to people of any age and any skill (from zero skill to music high school admission exams preparation).

Education

2007-2022 — music school and college in St. Petersburg.

Conservatorium van Amsterdam (2022-present, Amsterdam, Netherlands | Bachelor of Music — Jazz Saxophone)

Experience / Qualifications

— 13+ years of saxophone playing
— Versatile genres: jazz, pop, rock, contemporary
— 3 releases of original music (jazz)
— Tutoring experience

Age

Children (7-12 years old)

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

45 minutes

60 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Russian

Dutch

Skills

Saxophone

Jazz music

Music teacher training

Reviews

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -04:00)

New York

At teacher's location and via webcam

At student's home

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Stefano

5.0

(24)

Get ready to take charge of your own musical journey with my classes! You'll have the freedom to choose what you want to study, how you want to learn, and which approach best suits your individual style.

Together, we'll create a personalized plan that will take you step-by-step towards your designated goals, with my unwavering support every step of the way. I'll teach you a variety of singing techniques and help you discover your own unique voice. No two singers are the same, so I'll adapt to your needs and provide personalized guidance to help you surpass your goals!

Are you ready to unleash your full potential and take your singing to the next level? Join my classes today and let's get started on this exciting musical journey together!

I strongly believe that the voice is an all-powerful instrument. It converts the invisible into the visible; it transforms emotions into sounds. The voice is subject to continuous evolution. It's a beautiful instrument that offers so many possibilities in terms of expansion.

Philip

5.0

(24)

Hi, I'm Philip!
I'm a professional Bass player and teacher based in Amsterdam.
I have studied with some of the best teachers in Europe as well as famous bassists from the New York Jazz Scene. Besides my studies I have been actively performing, recording and teaching since age 16, which led me to play at different festivals and venues such as North Sea Jazz, JazzOpen Stuttgart, Bimhuis, DeDoelen Rotterdam.
I'm calm and easy going and I want to pass on the knowledge I got from my teachers as well as my own experience. I always focus on getting you ready or better at playing in a band, since that's what we do as bass players! I'm experienced in and open to a wide variety of styles, my specialization being Jazz.
.....................................................................................................................
Electric Bass/ Bass Guitar - Double Bass - Music Theory - Rhythm - Groove - Ear Training - Sight Reading - Audition Preparation - Home Recording - Gear

---> Jazz, Pop, Rock, Soul, Funk, Hip-Hop....

---> I adapt my teaching to your level (complete beginner to advanced) as well as your goals or your style preferences.

If you're playing in a band and would like feedback we can set up a Bandcoaching, too.

César

5.0

(24)

Hey there! In my lessons, what you want is the most important. That's why we create together a plan of study with ideas, goals and subjects to reach out our dream to make music (that's also my dream)

Nevertheless, I can give you an overview of the content:

I divide the music theory in two: Technical and Musical.
Technical Theory regarding all the concepts and information related to music, and Musical Theory regarding the ideas and concepts to help us understand and improve the performance of music. Besides that, we look to harmony in a functional, rhythmical and organic way. We learn and approach music from the first lesson, looking at it from different angles (understanding rhythm and essence of a song for example). All this plus a nice diet of assignments and exercises: D

Furthermore, we put especial attention to enjoying music. That means playing but also listening music! For me, that's one of the best ways to learn :)

And of course, we learn as well by making mistakes, so at the end it's all about fun and trying things out;)

Remember: "True success isn't just getting what you want in life - it's liking what you get";)

César

Eduardo

5.0

(24)

Hi! My name is Eduardo, a professional musician and long-time music teacher. I am offering physical and online lessons in Music Theory, Improvisation and Instrument.
#Harmony #Composition #Solfège #Saxophone #Clarinet #Piano

Lessons are addressed to every student profile, regardless of age, level of expectations (no matter if it is seen as a hobby or rather if the individual is getting prepared for official Conservatory auditions, etc.).

We will play and/or focus on what the student is willing to deepen into (whatever music style they are interested in, more theoretical aspects or rather practical ones), trying to get the maximum profit of the employed time, and prioritising the actual learning of the person as the main factor for their motivation.

I obtained my Jazz Music Master's program at the Prince Claus Conservatoire of Groningen in June 2022.
Previously, in 2018, I graduated from my music Bachelor's at the Conservatorio Superior de Música del Liceu in Barcelona (Spain).

Federica

5.0

(24)

Hi, I'm Federica, I am Italian, and I am a Jazz piano player and singer. I studied at the Royal Conservatory of the Hague and I just completed a master in Vocals and Piano at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. I give Jazz/Pop/Classical Piano lessons but my main goal is to try to give the student a general understanding of the music to approach every style and to have fun with music! I love to work with children, I like to teach them good values like patience, self-confidence, trust, communication, and collaboration, all through music. That's what I learn every day by studying music and that's what I would like to transfer to my students. I've been told that If you have music in your life, you can't be a bad person. I believe in it.

I offer live and online lessons:
Piano
Singing
Ear Training
Technique
Improvisation
Repertoire
Music Theory

Guus

5.0

(24)

Bass guitar lessons in Amsterdam or Online! During the lessons, special attention is paid to timing, teamwork and technique. Many different music styles are discussed and hearing training and music theory are also discussed, and of course there is room for your own questions. Lessons for all ages from 5 years, for beginners but also for advanced players or adults who want to start with this fantastic instrument at a later age.

Nikola

5.0

(24)

In just 4 weeks, I will take you... yes, YOU, with zero experience, no “music talent”, no clue where to start, and show you exactly how to play the songs you love... step by step... Just like I’ve already done for over 200 students before you.

What If I Handed You The Exact Tools, Secrets, And Proven Methods To Finally Master The Accordion... And Made Sure You Actually Used Them?

Listen, you don’t need to be “born with talent.” You don’t need to start young. And you sure as heck don’t need to figure this out alone.

Here’s what you’ll get when you step inside the Accordion Joy Academy:

✔️ Private access to our inner circle community. The place where accordion lovers, from total beginners to seasoned players, share victories, swap tips, and lift each other up.
✔️ The secret techniques to play with virtuosity, even if your fingers feel like sausages right now.
✔️ Complete lesson recordings, sheet music, video breakdowns, playlists, and books, all at your fingertips, so you’ll never feel stuck or lost again.
✔️ A rich, exciting repertoire built around classical gems, but customized to your taste. Want tango? Folk? Movie themes? You got it.
✔️ Music theory made simple, practical, and 100% tied to what you’re actually playing. No fluff. No lectures.
✔️ Speed-learning strategies that help you tackle new pieces faster than you thought possible.
✔️ Clear, motivating goals and a roadmap to get you from where you are now to where you dream of being.
✔️ Study schemes and practice blueprints, designed to squeeze every drop of progress out of the time you have.
✔️ Performance coaching so you don’t just “play notes”... you tell stories through your instrument.
✔️ Weekly working schedules, study guides, to-do lists and action plans. No guesswork. Just follow the plan and watch yourself improve.

This is a rebellion against the idea that you have to be “born talented” or “start at age 5” to become a musician.
I’ll prove it to you.

Why Settle for One Style... When You Can Master Them All?

Most beginners stop at one song... one style... one small win. Not here. Not you.
Because once you learn the system I teach... You won’t just play music, you’ll travel the world without leaving your home...

🎻 Baroque – Music that once echoed in royal courts. You’ll command it like a master.
🎹 Classical – The greats. Mozart. Beethoven. You’ll whisper their language through your bellows.
💃 South American – Think tango, milonga, the kind of rhythms that seduce people off their seats. (Warning: May cause spontaneous dancing.)
🎬 Pop & Movie Music – Themes that make people cry, smile, and remember. Everyone knows these tunes... and now, they’ll know you can play them.
🎩 Musette – That dreamy, nostalgic sound from a smoky Paris café. You don’t just play Musette, you paint a picture.
🎺 Klezmer – Raw. Soulful. Sometimes sad, sometimes wild. Always unforgettable.
🎷 Jazz – This isn’t “just notes.” It’s attitude. It’s freedom. You’ll feel it in your bones.
🍀 Irish Folk – Fast, fun, and full of character. You’ll be grinning every time you squeeze out a reel or jig.
🏴‍☠️ Scottish Folk – Stirring. Bold. Warrior music with soul. You’ll feel it in your chest.
🥁 Balkan Folk – Offbeat rhythms and wild melodies that dare you to stay in your seat.
🧠 Contemporary Classical – Modern, expressive, and unlike anything you’ve heard before. It’s where the old world meets the new.

And when they hear you play... they’ll ask, “Where did you learn to do that?”

You’ll smile... because you’ll know.
It started right here.

Hi, I'm Nikola, Your Teacher.
I wasn’t born with a gift.
At five years old, I picked up an accordion that was almost bigger than me. I didn’t know it then, but that single moment would shape the rest of my life.

Since that day, I’ve dedicated over two decades to mastering this beautiful, misunderstood instrument. And along the way, I discovered something powerful, you don’t need to be born with talent, perfect timing, or a famous last name to make music. You just need a little courage to start... and the right guide to help you along the way.

In 2020, I graduated from the prestigious ArtEZ Conservatory in The Netherlands with a degree in accordion teaching. But truth be told, most of what makes me the teacher I am today didn’t come from a classroom. It came from the stage. From competitions. From the nerves before a performance and the applause that follows. I’ve been honored to win the Dutch National Accordion Competition. Twice. But what matters more is this:

I know exactly what it feels like to think something’s too difficult.
I’ve seen students who thought they were too old, too inexperienced, or too busy. People who believed music wasn’t for them, until they realized it was.

That’s why I created Accordion Joy Academy. Because whether you’re 5 or 75, whether you’ve played before or not, you can learn to play the accordion. And I’ll prove it to you.

If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I wish I could do that”, now’s your moment.
I’ll meet you where you are, and together, we’ll turn those old doubts into music.

30 Days from Now... You'll Be Playing Your First Song, Or You Get Every Cent Back.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never touched an accordion in your life... or if you haven’t learned something new in years... Because with my step by step method, you will play your first song in just 30 days, proudly, confidently, and with a smile on your face.

And if you don’t? If you try and it simply isn’t for you? Just let me know. I’ll refund every penny.

Because at this stage in life, you deserve more than empty promises. You deserve real joy, real results, and a risk-free way to experience both. Let’s make these next 30 days start of something beautiful.

Oleg

5.0

(24)

I am a professional musician graduated from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam(Master degree, Jazz Department). I have a wide experience of teaching and performing which I would be glad to share with you.

On our lessons we can consider such aspects of performing as:
- breathing
- sound quality
- phrasing
- lips flexibility and legato
- articulation
- sight reading
- improvisation

I am flexible in process of teaching. I can offer systematic and personal approach. According of your level, needs and interests we can:
- make a plan of lessons and learn topics step by step
- work with specific questions and material you choose
- prepare for exams. For example, entrance exam in Conservatorium

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to send me!

Leonardo

5.0

(24)

Saxophone and music theory teacher available for lessons in Amsterdam.

Whether you are a beginner just starting out or an experienced player looking to improve your technique, we'll design a lesson plan that is right for you. The lessons are held in a comfortable and welcoming environment with a range of flexible scheduling options, you can find the perfect time for your saxophone lessons. So why wait? Sign up for saxophone lessons today!

Topics include: embrochure, sound, improvisation, technique, theory, playing by ear and rhythm.

Lessons in Spanish are also available.

Shreyansh

5.0

(24)

We will talk about your goals and together we will figure out what you exactly need to level up.

I will design a practice schedule for you with suitable exercises that you personally enjoy and find fun, cos. Hey, music is supposed to be a stress buster, but that being said you gotta work to get better at anything.

We will also talk about how it is to be a professional musician in the current music scene, and what skills apart from drumming are needed to be a musician.

I have been teaching privately for the past 3 years, with happy students, and I am so glad that I am being able to help others move further in this journey of drums and life. Let's hang out soon, Cheers!

Tal

5.0

(24)

Welcome to my trumpet lessons, where a passion for music meets expert guidance. I'm Tal and I graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2018. I bring 8 years of teaching experience to aspiring musicians of all ages. In our sessions, we'll embark on a comprehensive journey, honing in on essential aspects such as breathing techniques, instrument flexibility, and the art of improvisation. Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate player, we'll craft a personalized approach to elevate your skills, fostering not just technical proficiency but a deep love for the trumpet and the joy of musical expression.

Bernardo

5.0

(24)

Hello, I'm Bernardo, a dedicated saxophonist and a current bachelor student at the prestigious Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Hailing from Portugal, I'm thrilled to invite you on an exciting saxophone journey alongside me.

What I Bring to the Table:

Masterful Expertise: Drawing from my studies at the prestigious Conservatorium van Amsterdam, I offer you top-notch saxophone education that combines my passion and proficiency in this extraordinary instrument.

All Skill Levels Embraced: Whether you're a complete novice or have some prior experience with the sax, my lessons are inclusive and adapted to your current level. Everyone is welcome!

Learning Made Enjoyable: My ultimate goal is to make your saxophone learning experience not only instructive but also genuinely enjoyable. We'll explore the joy of creating music together.

Course Highlights:

For Beginners: If you're just starting your saxophone journey, we'll begin with the fundamentals, covering everything from assembling the instrument to reading music and playing your first tunes.

Intermediate Level: Those with prior experience will delve deeper into techniques, explore scales, and tackle more complex musical compositions.

Advanced Level: For those seeking to hone their skills to a professional level, we'll push boundaries with advanced techniques, music theory, improvisation, and discovering your unique saxophone style.

Let's explore the world of saxophone music and elevate your playing to new heights. Get in touch with me today and set off on an exciting musical adventure!

Kadi

5.0

(24)

Whether you love singing in the shower, at karaoke nights, or on stage, I’m here to help you develop your voice and express yourself with confidence. Are you passionate about singing and want to develop your voice in pop, jazz, soul, or R&B? Or maybe you're looking to improve your songwriting, backing vocals, vocal arranging, ear training, or piano skills? No matter your experience level, I’m here to guide you!

💡 What I Offer:
✔️ Singing Lessons: Vocal technique, stage presence, emotional expression
✔️ Song Interpretation: Learn to truly connect with the songs you sing
✔️ Songwriting & Vocal Arranging: Express yourself through original music
✔️ Backing Vocals & Harmony Work: Learn to blend and support lead vocals
✔️ Ear Training: Improve pitch accuracy and musicality
✔️ Piano for Beginners: A solid foundation to accompany yourself or compose music

🌟 My Teaching Approach:
I believe every student is unique, so I tailor each lesson to your personal goals and musical style. Singing is more than just hitting the right notes—it’s about finding your voice, telling your story, and gaining the confidence to share it. As you strengthen your vocal skills, you may also notice newfound courage in other areas of life—whether it’s speaking up in a room, stepping outside your comfort zone, or simply embracing who you are.

🎤 Let’s work together to unlock your full potential and make music that feels like YOU!

Didac

5.0

(24)

Hi! I’m Didac Barber, a professional concert pianist and experienced teacher from Spain, now based in the Netherlands.

I hold a Master’s in Piano Performance from The Hartt School (USA) and trained at ESMUC Barcelona, studying with top international pianists like Adolf Pla and Luiz de Moura Castro. I’ve performed across Europe, the U.S., and Asia, and have taught piano for over 15 years — in conservatories, private studios, and internationally online.

My passion lies not only in performance but in helping students discover what they are capable of. I’m dedicated, empathetic, and patient — and I want you to enjoy your learning journey as much as I do sharing it.

Each student is different, and so are my lessons.
Whether you're just starting out or already preparing for auditions or performances, I’ll adapt the lesson to your goals, challenges, and musical taste.

We can work, all in a way that feels personal and motivating, on:
* Technique and sound production
* Repertoire (classical, contemporary, film music, etc.)
* Musical expression and interpretation
* Performance preparation (concerts, exams, auditions)
* Practice strategies and confidence-building

I’m here to help you be the best pianist you can be, whether that means mastering Bach or finally playing your favorite piece with confidence.

Lessons are at students home or online, and taught in English, Spanish, or Catalan, unfortunately not in Dutch for now.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions. I’d love to hear about your musical goals and help you reach them.
Let’s make music together!
— Didac 🎶

Pietro

5.0

(24)

Hey there! Do you want to start a new hobby? Do you already play the piano and you want to improve your skills with a creative approach to the instrument? Then I think I can help you!
I can teach you basic and advanced concepts of any style on the piano (classical, jazz, pop-rock...), and if you like improvisation and jazz then we get along even better!
I offer very personalized classes based on your level and interests. My approach to teaching strongly takes the student's CREATIVITY into account, but without forgetting that a good knowledge of MUSIC THEORY and PIANO TECHNIQUE are essential.

About my philosophy in teaching music:
In a creative field like music, education is a delicate matter. I firmly believe that a teacher must do everything possible to avoid suppressing the student’s personal voice. Each of us — regardless of age or skill level — has a unique approach to music, even before touching the instrument!
My goal is to help students discover their own musical identity at the piano, drawing on my experience and offering a solid theoretical foundation tailored to their interests and level.
That said, as in any discipline, there are no shortcuts in music. Passion and dedication are essential to achieving meaningful results. Furthermore, a solid technical and theoretical foundation is indispensable, no matter your musical interests.
I look forward to sharing my deep passion for music with you. Feel free to reach out for more information!