Sergio Martinez
About
I hold a B.A. in Music Business (2018) and an M.B.A. in Marketing 2025 from New Jersey City University. Through my experience and knowledge, I am prepared to teach you. I’ve played saxophone for over 15 years and have been teaching students for almost 10 years. I started teaching in-person lessons through TakeLessons.com in 2016 then shifted to weekly online lessons during the pandemic. I teach saxophone and beginner level piano, so students can learn the basics of music while also pursuing their own interests. I also sub at Vienna the Music School from time to time. This has broadened my experience with different learning styles and classroom environments.
My teaching philosophy is based on customized, student-centered learning, which aims to provide everything uniquely for each student. I work on tone, technique, improvisation, or performance, and always blend fundamentals with music. I really love music education and like to inspire each student while supporting them on their journey. I hope you will choose to learn music with me so we can grow together.
Teaching Style
I teach with patience and kindness.
My cardinal rule: "You get what you put in." I'm a firm believer that practice makes permanent.
I love teaching and teach all styles of music
Curriculum
1. Foundational Skills:
- Tone and Embouchure Development:
-Long tones are an excellent way to warm up for every lesson, along with a series of mouthpiece exercises to develop control.
- Scales and Arpeggios: Major, minor, and chromatic scales are foundational elements, and working on different articulations will develop dexterity.
- Finger Technique and Coordination: Working on etudes or technical exercises [...] (e.g. H. Klose, Ferling) will develop fingering fluency.
2. Musicality and Expression:
- Phrasing and Dynamics: Expressive playing will develop through lyrical studies and jazz articulations.
- Listening and Imitation: Students can transcribe and imitate for ear training and while listening to professional recordings.
- Improvisation: Introduce jazz and blues improvisation early on; improvisation can be helpful with creativity (even with a classical student).
3. Repertoire and Real World Applications:
- Varied Styles: Classical, jazz, pop, world; lessons will be much more refreshing!
- Playing with Others: Encourage duets and jam sessions that develop ensemble skills.
- Performance Readiness: Prepare students for stage presence and gigs/recitals.
4. Personalization and Adaptive Approach:
- Goals and objectives: work with students to come up with short-term and long-term goals in music.
- Technology: Integrate apps into practice BandLab, MuseScore [...] or just use a metronome!
- Fun & Motivation: Lessons will feel different and dynamic if students develop and use games, backwards tracks, and songs of their choosing to work on together.
Credentials & Affiliations
New Jersey City University
B.A. Music Business, Class of 2018
New Jersey City University
M.B.A. Marketing, Class of 2025