Brass Lessons in Washington, DC
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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.
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.
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.
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
Available Fridays Matthew Waterman is a trombonist, composer, arranger, and teacher from Bloomington, Indiana. Teaching trumpet, trombone, and baritone/euphonium on Fridays, Matthew believes in treating all styles of music with respect, and
Lesson Pricing
WEEKLY 30 MINUTE LESSON
$220
Month
30 minute lessons are great for learning the basics and building a strong foundation.
WEEKLY 60 MINUTE LESSON
$440
Month
Longer lessons, perfect for motivated, intermediate or advanced musicians.
What you can expect
1. Tell us about your musical goals.
2. Match with one of our expert instructors.
3. Play music! Parents get progress reports.
Common Questions
Laura Walther | Parent
“My daughter started taking piano (virtually) during Covid and she loves it!!! We are so impressed with the progress she has made this year and the joy of hearing the piano playing in the house. Plus the staff at the Middle C store is incredibly welcoming and helpful – buying her new music is a breeze.”