Clarinet, Saxophone and Music Theory Lessons – In Person (Hitchin) or Online - Royal College of Music Graduate

Find out more about Isaac

• When did you first develop a passion for music and your favourite instrument?

  I only started learning the clarinet at the age of 7/8, only because I wanted to copy my older sister who was also learning at the time! I have to confess it certainly isn't my favourite instrument, despite my love for it. I only really got into it after my Grade 8 which a bit silly given all that time… and now I can't imagine ever doing anything else than music! For the record my favourite instrument is the french horn and I wish I could go back in time and learn that instead!

• Is there a particular type music or artist that you listen to on a loop without it driving you crazy?

  Despite the fact that I play the clarinet I do still listen to regular music! I could easily listen to Led Zep, Pink Floyd and Queen on loop hands down.

• Explain to us the most difficult or riveting course you could personally give to a student of music

  Not sure how this question applies to my teaching but I can surely name a few difficult exercises and pieces for students to attempt (e.g. Ginastera Variaciones Concertantes)! In terms of techniques, probably either learning to circular breathe or double tongue, two very advanced skills on any Reed instrument. Mostly because I can't even do them! But perhaps I could learn if I had the motivation from a teacher…

• What do you think is the most complicated instrument to master and why?

  Definitely the oboe or french horn. It's so easy to play the wrong pitches on the horn so you gotta always bring your A-game. Oboe is really hard to begin with and can suffer from lots of things outside of your control e.g. humidity and reeds which I can relate to as well!

• What are your keys to success?

  Obviously dedicated practice, but always quality over quantity. You can do so much in even just five minutes! It's always better to have a regular habit than hours of back to back mindless work. Always let your mind and body recover, sometimes forcing it can make it worse and it's best to have a breather.

• Name three musicians you dream of meeting in your favourite bar in the early hours of the morning. Explain why.

  Far too tough of a question! Sometimes it's not best to meet your hero's but I'd say meeting clarinettists in a bar in the early hours is unlikely… but if they were there I'd love to chat to Michael Collins, Nicholas Baldeyrou or Maximiliano Martin. Mostly for the amazing stories they'd tell and they're amazing personalities and humour.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to music or your days at music school.

  Far far far too many to choose from, but here's a fairly recent and VERY stress-inducing one. I was supposed to be playing Mozart's Concerto for Basset Clarinet (which is a slightly bigger than a clarinet, which is what is was originally written for) in St. David's Hall Cardiff. During the rehearsal the day before the concert the instrument broke! So I had the spend the day of the gig hiking around Wales' capital to a man who had assured me he could fix it. Luckily, an hour before the sound check, he rung me to say he had got it working. I darted back to his fairly sketchy flat to collect this incredible instrument and sprinted back to the hall - safe to say I was a bit sweaty in that run through! The clarinet was in top Knick though and the concert went brilliantly. Thanks Neil!

• What are the little touches that make you a Superprof in music?

  I always try to bring something different to the table, I feel that's how information is retained the best. A weird little activity or idea can really stick with you and help you remember something vital. At least that's how I feel when I'm a student.
  
  Keeping costs to a minimum is something I strongly believe in (as a student myself!). I always try and provide material from my books in order to stop needless spending on material. However there a few books I'd recommend having a copy of.
  
  Finally, you may be able to see the inside of a Royal College of Music practice room! I always try to book the nice ones that look over the Royal Albert Hall but can't guarantee anything…