Address:
267 E Washington Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91104
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James Blackwell
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267 E Washington Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91104 (map) - (979) 373-8495
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Private Trumpet Lesson Instructor
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James Blackwell • Pasadena, CA • $60 per hour
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Hello! My name is James Blackwell, and I am offering private trumpet instruction in the Los Angeles area. I received my master's degree in jazz studies from the University of Southern California after completing my B.A. in jazz studies at the University of North Texas, where I played lead trumpet in the North Texas One O'clock Lab Band.
Since moving to Los Angeles, I have become actively engaged in the professional music circuit both as a performer and educator. I am currently a member of the Mike Barone Big Band, Clare Fischer Big Band, Trumpetology (a jazz group featuring five trumpets and rhythm section) and That Vibe, a corporate/wedding band. I also have gained familiarity in the studios, recording horn section parts for a variety of genres, as well as an international touring experience.
As a teacher, I am qualified to teach in all styles, from classical to commercial/lead playing and jazz improvisation with a specialty in instrumental fundamentals and performance efficiency. My teaching philosophy revolves around clearly defining your goals and finding the most streamline way for you to achieve them. The more clearly we can see who we would like to be, the easier and more fun the process becomes!
All ages are welcome! Students range from very young beginners, who have never played a note before the first lesson, to people who haven't touched their horns in 20 years, to young instrumentalists planning to further their musical experience in high school, college, or as a professional player.
Please stay awhile and check out the audio and video tabs as well as the testimonials section at the bottom of my web page. Check out my services at Thumbtack.
Pricing for private instruction is $60 for an hour or $35 per half-hour lessons in your home, or if it's more convenient for you, it's $35 per hour at my home (Pasadena).
I am also available to play at your next function or record. Please email or call with any questions!
Reviews
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March 18, 2012
Cont'd from above- one year after my son touched a trumpet for the first time in his life, he auditioned for the exclusive school jazz band and got in! This would never have happened without James, thank you!!!
– Haruko
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November 7, 2011
My son started learning trumpet a year ago and James has been teaching him since then. He was willing to accept a beginner and very patient from the start. He teaches solid basics that help my son a great deal at his school band. And his lesson has never been boring! He has tons of musical anecdotes and love for music to share. Very punctual and always provide perfect settings to play. Can't wish more.
– Haruko
Question and answer
Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?
A. Being involved in both the professional playing circuit as well as higher education I have learned to be effective in both areas from modeling the great players/teachers around me. Being versed in performance and teaching can be tricky and time consuming, and I have nothing but great things to say about the synthesis of the two.
Q. What do you like most about your job?
A. I love sharing with others my passions about playing the horn and listening to the great musicians who inspire me. Building a network of colleagues and students has helped me appreciate the role of music in peoples lives more and more every day.
Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A. The most common question I have received from prospective students is whether I would accept a student of their "caliber." It seems that some beginners are skeptical that anyone would want to teach them from the ground up. I encourage all levels to apply and in fact have grown to greatly appreciate teaching the beginning student.
Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?
A. I decided to pursue music professionally after auditioning into and making some "all-star" groups while in high school. I had never been around people my age that could play so well and it was both a humbling and energizing experience for me. I never looked back.
Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?
A. Seek out as many recordings as you can and dig in! Practice, practice, practice! It always amazes me the depth of information to be gained from listening to the recordings of the masters. It's all there and I know I can always go back to my favorite players and find something new.
Q. Write your own question and answer it.
A. Seems like a lot of discipline to learn an instrument....
Remember, all great disciplines have a great payoff. We need to find ways to keep ourselves motivated to move toward our goals...every day! Learning a musical instrument is a very rewarding experience. How many times have you heard someone say, "I wish I could play an instrument," or, "I wish I had some musical talent," etc. You can! you do!
Q. Write your own question and answer it.
A. What teaching experience do I bring to the table?
Take a look!
Teaching Experience
• JazzReach mentor for the Thornton Outreach Program: Non-profit organization based out of the University of Southern California. Offers a variety of music classes, ensembles, and private instruction both on and off USC campus. Responsibilities include:
o Running weekly sectionals and full jazz band rehearsals (20 students) at an inner city high school.
o Teaching weekly private trumpet lessons to members of the Los Angeles Youth Jazz Ensemble (LAYJE), an auditioned group of high school musicians from the greater Los Angeles area. Subjects covered include instrument fundamentals, beginning improvisation, sight-reading, style, music theory and jazz big band arranging techniques.
o Demonstrate briefly (15 min) the role and capabilities of the trumpet to young students grades K-3 as a “Meet-the-Instruments” clinician.
• Graduate teaching assistant at the University of Southern California. Classes and responsibilities include:
o MUJZ 150: Beginning Jazz Improvisation
 Class meets twice a week and covers basic harmonic movement in jazz standards, the blues, and rhythm changes. Class size 8 students. Students were pursuing elective credit or credit toward a minor.
o MUJZ 450: Intermediate Jazz improvisation
 Class meetings twice a week. Covers beginning and more advanced harmonic materials at a much quicker pace than the beginning improvisation group. Class size 7 students pursuing credit toward minor or related field of DMA program.
o MUJZ 305 B: Advanced Jazz Theory
 Grade and critique writing assignments (4-5 part advanced jazz arrangements). Occasional lecturer. Class size 29: undergraduate music majors.
• Private trumpet Instruction in the greater Los Angeles area. Student/amateur level, varying age.
• Clinician: Clinic high school students on playing fundamentals.
