Teaching
"...In addition to his phenomenal musicianship both as a trumpeter and jazz improviser, John Carlson is a dedicated and skilled teacher/educator who connects naturally and easily with his students."
- Christine Correa jazz vocalist, Director of Maine Jazz Camp, faculty at Columbia University
John has a B.A. in Performance from Lawrence University and has taught trumpet and brass privately for over two decades at several schools in New England and the New York area. Working with both children and adults, he currently teaches at the NY Jazz Workshop, Bronxville and at his private studio in Brooklyn. John has appeared as guest soloist/clinician at high schools and universities throughout the country, including Harvard, MIT, Wichita State, Lawrence and Virginia Commonwealth Universities. He has taught jazz improvisation at Interplay Jazz & Arts in Vermont, the Foxboro Music Program and Tufts University, as well as in Maine and Iowa. Along with his work as a brass coach for Brooklyn Youth Music Project (BYMP), John is a Teaching Artist with the Carnegie Hall Musical Connections Program.
Private trumpet lessons are available in the Brooklyn/NY area and ONLINE. Please see my contact page to get started.
Private trumpet lessons are available in the Brooklyn/NY area and ONLINE. Please see my contact page to get started.
My Philosophy
Having studied at a conservatory of music, I believe in teaching fundamentals for a strong foundation, enabling students to play various styles of music including Western European music, Balkan Brass Bands, Latin and Jazz. It is my objective to instill students with the knowledge and inspiration necessary to succeed in their creative pursuits. Of particular interest to me is exploring improvisation with students in a fun, challenging and creative environment. Creating music is ultimately an exploration of self-expression. It has always been my privilege to participate in the joy of helping students express their individuality through music.
Teaching Topics:
-specific exercises for improving endurance, range, mobility, various tonguing techniques and sound.
-intervallic studies, scales, modes, rhythmic exercises.
-exploration of various jazz and trumpet styles (swing, bebop, post-bop, free jazz, etc.).
-analysis and transcriptions of master trumpet solos.
-learning tunes using recordings, fake books and the Abersold series.
-creating melodic lines and phrases over chord changes.
-creating lines and phrases without chord changes.
-translating concepts and ideas into concise music expression.