Aakash Mittal Music
Introduction: I offer music lessons on saxophone, flute, clarinet, and piano to all ages and ability levels in western classical, jazz, and North Indian raga traditions. I believe in a well-rounded music education that includes improvisation, sight-reading, music history, music theory and ear training in addition to technique and repertoire. I believe that studying music should be fun and compelling. In addition to traditional study, I help my students design engaging and creative ways to invent their own music.
My teaching method embodies a "learn by doing" approach. Playing simultaneously with students fosters beautiful tone quality and musicality through aural tradition. Following that, I often demonstrate an idea and have the student play it back to me in order to advance listening skills and phrasing. I like to ask lots of questions and encourage my students to ask questions of me. When appropriate, I utilize kinesthetic movements to develop proper breathing and posture. In addition to playing their favorite music, I introduce new music to cultivate a comprehensive education. Lessons will be focused on the needs and goals of each individual student. Ultimately, I want my students to "learn how to learn," so they can be music makers in whatever fashion they desire.
I have 14 years of teaching experience working with ages ranging from six to 80 within private and group lessons. My public workshop experience includes elementary school jazz presentations, high school marching band sectionals, and college classes on composition, Indian music, and music business. Students have the opportunity to perform in student recitals twice a year. Recitals inspire students to practice, develop presentation skills, and foster a sense of community.
My work as a professional performer and composer helps me grow as a teacher. I lead a number of musical projects including the Aakash Mittal Quartet and Awaz Trio. The Quartet has released four recordings to rave reviews in the US and abroad. I have toured nationally and internationally with Trio Tarana, Yells at Eels, Joining Hands, and my own bands. I stay immersed in the learning process and my continuous growth by studying with educators in the US and India.
My awards and honors include the Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music (2012) and the Herb Albert/ASCAP Young Jazz Composers Award (2013). I am a 2013 American Institute of Indian Studies Creative and Performing Arts fellow.
I have a bachelor of music degree with a secondary emphasis in jazz studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
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Heidi E.
Apr 21, 2015
I play the clarinet and have taken lessons with Aakash since January of 2013 until his trip to India . I had a final lesson with him in September 2014 when he returned from India. I attend Casey Middle School in Boulder, CO where I take band and jazz band. Aakash and I began lessons exploring jazz and improvisation. I learned Sonnymoon for Two by Sonny Rollins as a start, and then we worked on Summertime by George Gershwin for my recital in May 2013. Since then, weve been working on classical music pieces and all twelve scales in the circle of fifth. Aakash encouraged me to audition for the CU MIddle School Honor Band & I was accepted!
Aakash is an amazing teacher. He challenges me by giving me pieces that are more advanced. He not only teaches the music, but he goes beyond the notes to educate me about the composition, the rhythm, the feeling as well as technique. He helped me to better understand my instrument and I really enjoyed learning his tips and tricks for putting my fingers in the right place, articulating correctly and playing high notes well.
Aakash has always been very supportive. He gently encouraged me to play in the recital, even though I was terrified. Before I began taking private lessons with him, I was scared to even play aloud to my band teacher at school. Aakash allayed my fears a bit by telling me that everybody squeaks, even him. He is a very patient and kind instructor.
Overall, my experience as a student of Aakash was very positive. I would definitely recommend him to other students. I learned a lot from Aakash, including facing my fears and actually turning them into self confidence. I am honored and privileged to have worked with such a fantastic musician and teacher.
Annika Ekrem
Boulder, CO
Joel Jean M.
May 6, 2015
We contacted Aakash Mittal about clarinet lessons for our son after he gave a presentation at our son's 5th grade instrumental music class. Were very glad we did. Our son improved quickly during the three years he took lessons from Aakash. He received music awards at Centennial Middle School, twice auditioned into CU Boulders Middle School Honor Band, made first clarinet at CUs Middle School Band Camp, and auditioned into Boulder Highs Wind Ensemble. To cap his time with Aakash, he gave his own clarinet recital, including three duets with Aakash, as well as the 3rd movement of Mozarts Clarinet Concerto with piano accompaniment.
More importantly, the process that led to these accomplishments was genuinely enjoyable. Our son started off with a half-hour lesson each week, and liked it so much that he quickly moved to an hour lesson. Aakash has an excellent teaching style. After our son played a piece, Aakash would ask what he thought went well, and what needed work. Aakash rarely had negative criticism and focused on what elements would improve a piece, and in getting students to honestly evaluate themselves. As our son gained skill and confidence, they got down to brass tacks more quicklybut still without him ever feeling guilty or chastised.
Aakashs primary instrument is the saxophone, but he thoroughly understands the clarinet. Lessons included instrument-specific tasks like fine pitch control, breathing, alternate fingerings, tonguing, and embouchure, as well as broader topics of playing exact rhythm, tempo changes, pitch, dynamics, and phrasing. Most importantly, he understands that, as time-consuming as these components are, they are ultimately just technical elements. After our son mastered them for a hard piece, theyd then work on exploiting them to play music that swoops and soars and comes from the heart.
And though Aakashs favorite style is pretty hyperactive jazz, he is comfortable with a wide range of musical styles. Our son played the MapleStory video game for years, and Aakash helped him learn transcriptions of several songs from the game. For one recital, our son found several Legend of Zelda transcriptionsevoking exclamations from other students like We can play game music for a recital? I didnt know that! As our sons taste gravitated toward classical music, Aakash was right there with him.
Aakash was especially good at helping our son work on challenging pieces. Our son is always choosing music that seems a little (or sometimes, a lot) beyond his level. For example, the Mozart Clarinet Concerto is really a virtuoso recital piece. They took the 3rd movement one section at a time, sometimes playing very slowly to get the rhythms and notes right. Aakash had him try to play along with a full orchestra recording (where it was clear that playing at full tempo makes the piece exponentially more difficult.) Okay, that didnt work, so they concentrated on getting it right at a slightly more relaxed tempo. Eventually, we brought in a friend of Aakashs on piano, and the three of them worked on how to coordinate and figure out who was in charge of the rhythm. It made an exhilarating finale to our sons solo recital.
Aside from his skills as a teacher, Aakash is also quite practical. He knew that his own concert schedule affected his teaching schedule, so was good about trying to make up missed classes during the week, and was flexible when our own schedule interfered with lessons. Were also impressed with his ambitionhe knows that great musicians dont sit around waiting to be discovered, but actively promote themselves and make things happen. We have seen him playing live with various people many times, and have enjoyed the variety of musical styles and partners. (Especially when he plays with electric violin. Hint, hint!)
We enjoyed our three years with Aakash, and had mixed feelings about him leaving for Indiahappy for him, but sad that we were losing a great teacher. We can whole-heartedly recommend him for just about anything hes trying to do.
Jim V.
Apr 21, 2015
I studied with Aakash for several years. I was a complete beginner (48 years old) at first and he was always patient and professional and generally a great teacher and nice guy. He also plays extremely well. Check out one of his shows.
Michael G.
Apr 23, 2015
I was a saxophone student of Aakash's for 2 years. Aakash was a fantastic teacher. He is kind, helpful, and creative. His teaching style is unique and effective. He brings out the best in all of his students and is truly and inspiration. Aakash is also the best saxophone player I have ever met.
Gay C.
Apr 23, 2015
It was a teachers dream to work with Mr. Mittal. He asked about our intent and how he could contribute to our overall goal. He came to the classroom prepared to teach an abundant amount of information. He taught the children about the evolution of music in India and introduced them to instruments that are unique to the culture...He possesses a wealth of information that he was eager to share yet remained sensitive to the interests and inquiries of the children.