Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
I teach with the Portland Music Collective out of St. Paul Lutheran Church. The collective is located at 3880 SE Brooklyn St. Portland, Oregon.
I teach with the Portland Music Collective out of St. Paul Lutheran Church. The collective is located at 3880 SE Brooklyn St. Portland, Oregon.
How do I contact you if I would like to take lessons?
Please email me at patrickmcculleymusic@gmail.com if you would like to take or have any questions about saxophone lessons.
Do you teach lessons online?
I do teach lessons online. Currently, I am teaching most of my lessons in person, but anyone who would like to can take online lessons with me. Anyone who takes online lessons with me will need access to a computer with a built-in camera or webcam, a reliable internet connection, and a microphone. I am more than willing to work with any student that needs advice on what kind of microphone to purchase in order to start taking lessons. While we can use your computer's built-in microphone to have the lesson, most computer mics are built to pick up the sound of the human voice but aren't designed to handle the dynamic range of most musical instruments.
Are you currently accepting new students?
Yes, I am. I am almost always have a couple open slots in my teaching schedule and the only question is whether or not our schedules match up. All you need to do is email me at patrickmcculleymusic@gmail.com and inquire about my schedule.
Do you teach beginners?
Yes, I do. I am currently accepting beginning saxophonists of any age or ability level. Please email me if you have any questions about what to do.
Should I rent or buy a saxophone?
If you plan on taking lessons I would recommend buying a saxophone. Buying is cheaper than renting in the long run, even if the saxophone is expensive. Inexpensive student model saxophones can be found on craigslist or ebay and I can help you pick one out if you are unsure of which one to get. But if you would like to rent a saxophone so you can be sure that its right for you before committing to buying one, there are plenty of places in the Portland Metro area that you can call.
Where can I rent a saxophone?
I have an alto saxophone that my students can rent if they want to. If you are interested in renting ask me to see if it is still available.
Here are some places in Portland that have rental programs for saxophones:
- Wally's Music (Oregon City)
- Beacock Music (Vancouver)
- Tigard Music (Tigard)
- Eastside Music (Gresham)
- Music Village (Beaverton)
- Manselles Music (Milwaukie)
- Portland Music Company
- Mir Music (Hillsboro)
What are good saxophone brands to buy?
My five recommended saxophone brands are:
- Yanigasawa
- P. Mauriat
- Chateau (great student models)
Can you teach in student's homes?
At the present time I do all my teaching at the Portland Music Collective's studio at St. Paul Lutheran and online. However if circumstances are extreme and the student is unable to travel to me I am willing to consider teaching in a student's home. My travel fee for teaching at a student's home is the same per hour as it is for the lesson.
What should I be looking for in a saxophone teacher?
Regardless of who you choose to be your saxophone instructor, they should have experience and education in their field. The most effective saxophone teacher will be the one who has had a great deal of performance experience (in or outside of school), a thorough education that has allowed them to develop the necessary skills to have a fundamental command of the instrument and effectively teach these fundamentals to others. Anyone who has not had these experiences cannot hope to effectively communicate to a beginner how to overcome the specific challenges that face a person starting out on the saxophone.
Do you teach clarinet lessons?
Yes. Although saxophone is my primary instrument I do give clarinet lessons.
For saxophone lessons or inquiries email patrickmcculleymusic@gmail.com