Lessons
Study music with Max! Although Max's primary instruments are voice, guitar, bass, and trumpet, he regularly offers instruction to musicians on all instruments at all levels. Max earned a BA in Music: Classical Vocal Performance from UMBC, where he also studied guitar, bass, trumpet, jazz, recording, and composition. Over the last two decades, Max has devised alternatives to the classic "follow the book" teaching model through individually tailored paths for each of his students. Many of his students have come from overly-rigid teaching studios (some quit decades ago after poor experiences), where they felt forced into boxes or unable to explore their own curiosities. Music should be fun! It should represent the individual and what they want to personally express, and more importantly, it should help the individual find his or her self beyond music. Consequently, Max's lessons focus on the big picture. After determining a student's goals and interests, Max helps a student walk the path of his or her own choosing, through pertinent theory, technique, and improvisation exercises. Recent students have been accepted to NYU for jazz guitar, The Jacobs School at Indiana for violin, University of Maryland for trumpet, and many others. Although many of Max's younger students have progressed to conservatories and college-level music programs, his mission is to help students of all levels and ages achieve the goals of their own choosing!
Max is currently accepting new students. Please reach out on the contact page!
Frequently Asked Questions
What instruments do you teach?
In addition to singing, I personally play guitar, bass, piano, and brass, but I also regularly work with students on other instruments, ranging from strings to woodwinds to percussion.
What do lessons focus on?
On the instruments I personally play, including voice, lessons involve working on instrument-specific technique. In all lessons, regardless of instrument, I teach theory, musicality, composition, improvisation, body mechanics, and production/recording. For students who play an instrument that I do not, there are still many universal, instrument-independent concepts I can help with.
Can one student study multiple instruments?
Yes, I encourage it! As a multi-instrumentalist, I've seen how much speaking multiple languages can help. Every instrument has its own limitations, and in order to see the big picture of music, one must see it from multiple viewpoints. Like languages, each new instrument is easier to learn than the last. Moreover, each added instrument brings a broader understanding to all previous instruments, along with the ability to better communicate with other musicians on different instruments. I encourage every student to gain at least a basic understanding of piano, bass, guitar, voice, and percussion.
What genres do you teach?
I love all music. I am "classically trained" and have a bachelors degree in vocal performance, but I've spent most of my life playing in jazz, funk, electonic, and rock bands. Most of my lessons focus on a little bit of everything, as similar to learning multiple instruments, seeing music through the lens of multiple genres helps to see the big picture. There are more similarities than differences!
How many students do you work with in one session?
Many people ask about sharing lessons. Like a doctor or personal trainer, I have the most success with one student at a time. Every student is unique, and there is no way to effectively split a lesson between two students with different learning styles and abilities. This is not to say that there isn't a time for group study, and I thoroughly enjoy working with bands and small ensembles. There are lessons that can only be learned through working with others. That said, I often ask all members of such groups to study with me individually as well, so I can address individual needs.
Do you work with bands?
Yes! Playing music with others is one of life's greatest pleasures. As a multi-instrumentalist, I coach bands on a part by part basis along with teaching the band as a whole. Some bands I can teach at my home studio, others I will need to travel to. Please contact me directly for more info on working with your specific ensemble.
How frequent are lessons?
For the best results, I recommend having a lesson weekly. For the student who wants to make rapid progress, perhaps to thoroughly cover multiple instruments or to prepare for an upcoming audition or performance, multiple lessons a week can offer a boost.
How long are lessons?
Each lesson is one hour, unless discussed otherwise
Where do you teach?
I teach out of my home studio in Caunes-Minervois, 11160. Please contact me directly for my address.
What is your cancellation/rescheduling policy?
Lessons cancelled more than 48 hours in advance will either be rescheduled, or the payment will be carried over to the next lesson. If a cancellation occurs within 48 hours, I will do my best to reschedule, as I strongly prefer to teach the lessons I charge for, but with so little time, rescheduling may not be possible. Catastrophic situations are handled case by case.
What if the teacher cancels?
Since in addition to teaching, I actively record and perform (and occasionally get sick), sometimes I will need to cancel or reschedule. I will never charge for a lesson that I cancel (advance payments will carry to the next lesson), and I will do my best to reschedule any foreseen conflicts with as much advance notice as possible.
How "serious" are your lessons?
The only thing serious about my lessons is my passion for music and teaching, along with my desire to get to know my students personally and help them succeed. I care about my students' lives and their other interests, and believe the best results happen in a comfortable and friendly environment. Many of my students have come from rigid and discouraging environments and are giving music a second chance. I don’t believe that a harsh environment is necessary for high-level musical achievement. I don't hold recitals, although I encourage my students to perform as much as possible (or as much as they desire). I've worked with students of all ambition levels, and even watched ambition levels change, once students realize what they’re truly capable of. Some students have gone on to prestigious music programs, and some can now play their favorite songs. Both are worthwhile achievements, and my lessons scale as appropriate. Fun is a priority!
What ages do you work with?
Almost any! There is never a bad age to learn music. I've worked with children and adults of all ages and skill levels, though my teaching style seems to mesh best with adults and teenagers.
For any other questions, please reach out to me directly. Thanks!