October 16-22, 2003

cover story

Teacher Teacher

REED minds: "Technique is nothing without emotional content," says David Fishkin. "Never sacrifice tone in favor of technique." Photo By Michael T. Regan

Six local musicians who also educate. Jack Black need not apply.

by Michael Pelusi

Chances are, you're not going to be able to pick up an instrument and be ready for your first show, unless you're Mozart or Johnny Ramone. The Paul Green School of Rock is righteous indeed, but there are other avenues in the area. The musician/teachers we talked to have all kinds of lessons to impart. And, as you'll see, they're ready to learn, too.

David Fishkin

Gig: Muscle Factory and The Freakin' Cads

Instrument taught: saxophone

Where: I'll travel to your home or you can visit my studio. Call 610-613-5290
or e-mail david@fishsax.com."

Who: "All ages, beginners through advanced."

What have you learned from teaching that you brought into your music? "I bring almost everything that I learn from teaching to my performances. Teaching the saxophone is like relearning the instrument on a fundamental level."

Tips for aspiring musicians: "Practice slowly in order to develop your tone. Practice slowly if you want to play fast. But don't play fast just to prove that you can play fast. Technique is nothing without emotional content. Never sacrifice tone in favor of technique."

Are you going to go see School of Rock? "Yes."

THE MAGIC FLUTE: "Remember that it’s just practice," says Kyle Bartlett. "Don’t forget to perform [in front of people], ’cause that’s where you draw your energy from." Photo By Michael T. Regan

Kyle Bartlett

Gig: composer/flutist for Counter)induction, a composer/performer collective specializing in 20th-century music

Instrument taught: flute

Where: Settlement Music School, West Philly branch, 4910 Wynnefield Ave., 215-320-2640

Who: All ages, all levels. "Anywhere from 8 to 68."

What have you learned from teaching? Your students, when you're working on new music, can have ideas that you've never thought of. Plus, it's just fun. It's fun to show kids things.

Tips: "Try to work practice into your daily lives so it doesn't feel like a chore. But always remember that it's just practice, don't forget to perform [in front of people], 'cause that's where you draw your energy from."

School of Rock? "No. I am going to go see Yo La Tengo and Sun Ra Arkestra."

Bill Avayou

Gig: drummer for Bill Ricchini

Instrument taught: drums

Where: Coyle's Richboro Music, 881 Bustleton Pike, 215-355-6711

Who: all ages

What have you learned from teaching? "With teaching I end up playing with the students. I learned what it's like from the other side, [for] any other instrumentalist who has to play with drummers, I just learned what's important -- not trying to show off or play a lot of stuff all the time and just trying to do your job, basically."

Tips: "Listen to as much music as you possibly can. Try not to get too cornered into one type of thing, 'cause you never know what you're gonna play."

School of Rock? "I might. I don't know. I'll probably rent it."

Yeah, it looks like a renter: "Well, when you're a musician it's hard to afford to go to the movies a whole lot."

Mark Boyce

Gig: The Krass Brothers

Instrument taught: piano

Where: He can come to you, or you to him: 215-868-0146.

Who: "I like to start kids when they learn how to read, 'cause it makes things easier. So, about 7 to whatever. I teach adults as well."

What have you learned from teaching? "When you have to break things down into understandable terms, you have to be really specific and simplify what you're teaching. It's helped me to exact what I absolutely need and apply that to my own thing."

Tips: "Listen to music and learn to play what you like to listen to."

School of Rock? "Yes. I would love to go see how they ripped off Paul Green."

Michael Caughlin

Gig: Muffatron

Instrument taught: guitar (blues-rock a la Zeppelin and Hendrix)

Where: Bluebond Guitars, 511 S. Fourth St., 215-829-1690

Who: Ages range from 7 to 50.

What have you learned from teaching? "Students will ask me questions and in working to show them, I'll learn something too."

Tips: "Practice, play a lot. Listen to a lot of music. Play with other people. There's a lot of things available now -- videos, tablature books, magazines."

School of Rock? "I'll probably wait till it comes out on video."

Jaime Shapiro

Gig: principal percussionist for the Haddonfield Symphony

Instrument taught: percussion

Where: Settlement Music School, West Philly branch, Sally's Music Circle (a Mommy and Me music class, 610-642-9400, www.sallysmusic.com). Also music director at Rodeph Shalom synagogue.

Who: "I specialize in younger kids, but I go through high school and older. Most of my students range from 5 to 15."

What have you learned from teaching? "It's really helped with sight-reading. And when you're teaching kids how to practice, it reminds me how to practice things."

Tips: "Don't lose sight of the fact that it's supposed to be for fun. You have parents that are just harping on kids. And we're competing with video games, sports and all kinds of things. So the way I try to teach is to focus on fun while they're learning."

School of Rock? "I haven't heard of it! What is it?"

[Quick plot summary] "Huh! Sure, why not?"