Henry Fraser Music

My approach begins with assessing a students technical and musical level, as well as his/her musical interests, and creating a curriculum around that. I firmly believe that consistent, organized practice is the key to learning to play an instrument, and I am able to create that clarity with an unusual amount of flexibility, catering to the student's musical interests. My ongoing musical journey as an improviser has brought me into contact with myriad musical styles, and I bring that openness to all of my lessons. This is part of a broader approach that I embrace, investigating the mysticism and variety in music, in concert with fundamental work on the instrument. Teaching, at its best, is a symbiotic relationship between teacher and student. Through teaching I am reminded of the mysticism of music, reliving the joy of discovering new sounds while showing a piece to a student, which reinvigorates my own practice. There is a solidarity between all musicians, of any age or skill level, that comes from an embrace of the consistent effort required of a musician. Practice is a faith-based exercise - it is only looking back over a period of weeks or months that you see concrete improvement, and the majority of the time is spend finding joy in the work itself. In working with students I feel inspired by our shared engagement with this process.