Brass Lessons in Washington, DC
Our Approach to Brass Lessons
At Middle C Music, we focus on a few key elements of music education when students come to our school for brass lessons. We strive to make it fun, to help students develop strong technical skills, and to completely customize the learning experience to the individual goals of each student.
There are so many brass instruments to choose from – each with their own unique sound and style. If you’re interested in developing new skills or dusting off an old hobby, learning to play a brass instrument could be the perfect fit for you! At Middle C Music, we offer brass lessons in trumpet, French horn, trombone, and baritone.
We’re passionate about music. We offer an engaging and supportive learning environment where students grow and thrive at their own pace. Students can explore without limitation at Middle C Music, leveraging our diverse instructional staff who bring their own unique musical backgrounds to every lesson. We can work with you to master diverse styles of music, from salsa to jazz and everything in between.
By building upon a mastery of the fundamentals, we’ve supported many successful brass musicians over the years, ranging from hobbyists to award-winning performers. We’ll help you build a strong foundation and then explore your preferred repertoire so you, too, can succeed in meeting your goals.
Our Approach to Brass Lessons
GET STARTED01 Brass Lessons Should Be Fun!
From classical orchestras to high school marching bands, the brass section plays a leading role in producing dynamic and impactful performances. At Middle C Music, we teach a variety of brass instruments – including trumpet, baritone, french horn, and trombone – each of which plays a critical role in bringing to life the music we know and love.
Regardless of your specific instrument, one thing is consistent across all of our brass offerings: fun! Simply put, we want all of our students to LOVE their music lessons. Middle C Music’s experienced staff blends a high standard of music education with a creative, student-focused approach that gives students space to discover and nurture their passion for music – while having fun along the way.
02 We Emphasize Healthy Technique
We believe mastery of fundamentals is key to providing a strong foundation for a musician’s growth. At Middle C Music, you’ll learn the key elements of strong brass technique including breath support, voicing, embouchure, articulation, finger technique, and posture. Understanding these necessities will help you maintain control of the tone and quality of your music.
Our lessons offer an enriching, well-rounded music education that pairs fundamentals with a strong foundation in music literacy. From sight reading and ear training to music theory and history, our instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and extensive teaching résumés to foster an optimal student experience at Middle C Music.
03 We Care About Your Musical Interests
We recognize students enter our doors with a variety of musical backgrounds (including none at all!), and our experienced teachers are well-equipped to meet you where you are and help get you where you want to go. Middle C Music is the place for you!
Do you dream of becoming the next great jazz soloist? Earning a spot in your high school band? Turning a simple intrigue into a hobby? As our teachers get to know your goals, we tailor our lessons accordingly. Both beginner and advanced students will be challenged and inspired on their musical journey at Middle C Music.
Our Brass Teachers:
Our piano teachers hold credentials from illustrious universities, and they perform regularly with various nationwide and community groups outside of the private piano studio. This wide range of experience allows them to pass on a more well-rounded musical perspective to their students.
Douglas Gilchrist
Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba
Available Tues. & Sat. (Call for more availability) Doug is a longtime teacher and band director in the Washington, DC, and Maryland school systems, leading concert, stage, and marching bands to numerous
Ralph Burrows
Trumpet
Teaching on Wednesdays only. “I started playing trumpet, like most, in elementary school. I took to it right away and started private lessons soon after. I enjoyed music and trumpet specifically so
Matthew Waterman
Brass, Piano
Available Fridays Matthew Waterman is a musician, composer, and teacher from Bloomington, Indiana. Teaching trumpet, trombone, baritone/euphonium, and piano on Fridays, Matthew believes in treating all styles of music with respect, and
How it works
Tell us about your musical goals.
Match with one of our expert instructors.
Play music! Parents get progress reports.
Lesson Pricing
Weekly
30 Min Lesson
$230
Monthly
30 minute lessons are great for learning the basics and building a strong foundation.
GET STARTEDWeekly
60 Min Lesson
$460
Monthly
Longer lessons, perfect for motivated, intermediate or advanced musicians.
GET STARTEDFrequently
Asked
Questions
GET STARTEDWhat is the minimum age to start brass lessons at Middle C Music?
When it comes to brass instruments, it’s important to not only have solid reading and comprehension skills to be successful, but also have significant lung capacity. We recommend starting with a brass instrument around age nine. This is the age at which we’ve found that students have the necessary physical abilities to succeed in the study of a brass instrument.
Do I need any prior experience?
We work with students of all experience levels at our Washington DC music school, so you can trust that you’ll find someone who can support and challenge you to achieve your musical goals.
What styles of brass can I learn?
We’re proud to employ a diverse, dedicated team of teachers at Middle C Music – each of whom is able to lean on prior experiences in order to meet the needs of students with a variety of interests and preferences. No matter your preferred musical style or brass instrument of choice, we have the expertise to guide you through an insightful and empowering journey of music education.
What books will I need?
We pride ourselves on personalizing the music education offered to our students through brass lessons. Once your teacher has gotten to know you – your experience, your tastes, and your goals – he or she will provide you with a comprehensive list of books, online resources, and other materials that will support your musical goals.
Is brass the right fit for me?
Deciding what instrument is the right fit for you can be a tough decision. With the help of our experienced teachers, you can learn what brass instruments will entail and determine whether or not the trumpet, French horn, trombone, or baritone is something you’d like to explore. Our teachers are happy to answer your questions and give you all the information you need to make an informed decision as to whether brass instruments are right for you.
Why come to Middle C Music for brass lessons?
When looking for brass lessons in the Washington DC area, you have choices. Middle C Music has a long history of happy and talented musicians who’ve participated in our programs over the years. We’re proud of our approach to music education and believe that it sets us apart from other music schools in the area.
We adopt a student-driven approach to ensure that you control the pace, direction, and goals of your music education journey. You can direct your experience, knowing that you have the support and coaching of an experienced musician with you every step of the way.
We also strive to facilitate an engaging environment where you can explore different types and styles of music and find what suits you best.
Ready to begin brass lessons?
If playing a brass instrument is something you’re excited about, consider brass lessons at Middle C Music. Our talented and experienced teachers are ready to help you find your sound. Contact us today to schedule your brass lessons.