Please note: Bruce is not accepting new students at this time.
“Without dedication to craft, talent alone - no matter how abundant - brings you up short of what you could be.” - Bob Costas, sportscaster
Bruce Abbott Music LessonsBruce Abbott offers instruction in saxophone, flute, clarinet, and jazz theory & improvisation. Bruce grew up in Pawtucket, Rhode Island where he studied with local teachers Paul Belisle, Art Pelosi and Diamond Centofanti. Following high school he attended Berklee College of Music where he was a student of Andy McGhee and Joe Viola, and the University of Rhode Island where he earned degrees in elementary education and music performance. Bruce has served on the faculties of the University of Rhode Island, Salve Regina University and Nauset Regional High School where he was selected for a "Teacher of the Year" award. Currently he teaches students from ages 9 to 90 and from beginner to advanced each week in his Cape Cod home-based music studio and through Skype Video.
His approach is to build a solid foundation through technical development while focusing on each student's particular goals such as audition preparation, repertoire, style, improvisation, etc. The studio is equipped with a computer-based digital audio workstation and digital video recorder used to produce student recording projects for creativity, self-evaluation and pure enjoyment. Below are some links and other information regarding music lessons with Bruce Abbott. Email or call if you have any questions! |
Photos from the "Creative Cave" |
Sr. Jazz Solo - Rhythm Section Track
Listen here or click below to download the file.
| snidero_-_bird_blues_rhythm_only.mp3 |
Jr. Jazz Solo - Rhythm Section Track
Listen here or click below to download the file.
| snidero_-_total_blues_rhythm_only.mp3 |
Helpful Links
Blank Music Manuscript pdf filesFor your musical masterpieces!
More manuscript options at
www.music-paper.com people.virginia.edu/~pdr4h/musicpaper/ www.blanksheetmusic.net |
WebsitesEducation
MusicTheory.net music theory site Good-Ear.com ear training site Greg Fishman Jazz Studios Learn Jazz Standards Jazz On The Tube - great assemblage of YouTube jazz videos Ralph Patt Backing Tracks Woodwind Fingerings A Passion For Jazz - history & education Charlie Parker Omnibook - original recordings of omnibook transcriptions Auditions All-Cape Music Festival Auditions & Festival Info Southeast District Music Festival Auditions & Festival Info Metronomes 8notes.com webmetronome metronomeonline Music Notation MuseScore is a full-featured free music notation program. Download it here: http://musescore.org/ Other H.E.A.R. - Dedicated to the prevention of hearing loss in musicians. North Star Jazz Ensemble & CommonGround Jonathan Page - piano maintenance, restoration & sales Poetry Foundation | ||||||||||
Studio Holiday Recording
...from the Bruce Abbott Music Lesson Studio to you! Here's who you hear in order: 1st verse - Abby, Adam, Allison, April, Andrew, Matt, Bryan, Damien, Drew, Genny, Heather, Jackson. 2nd verse - Jake, Joan, Terry, Laurie, Brenda, Steve, Sander & Thea, Chloe & Camille, Karley, Bruce, William, Allison. Enjoy!
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
by students of the Bruce Abbott Music Lesson Studio
by students of the Bruce Abbott Music Lesson Studio
Links for Inspiration
"Some people think it is too late to learn to play an instrument because they feel they will never 'get good' at it. But that is based on the misconception that art is primarily about accomplishing something and gaining skill. Actually, art is about exploring and creating. For that, it's never too late.
"Creating is not performing, but exploring. To create is to enjoy the adventure within this moment. It is not being concerned with how far we have traveled or how much we have accomplished, but being willing to take a new path, embrace challenges, and become a beginner all over again. As the years go by, we become more knowledgeable and skillful and impressive, but a creative person looks at the challenges ahead rather than the accomplishments behind, and is forever curious about what can be discovered in the moment unfolding itself. What we can discover in music (and ourselves) is infinite. To those who enjoy creating music, that's something quite wonderful. After all, when we are intensely enjoying a movie or book, don't we wish it would never end?"
From "Pattern Play, Book 1" by Akiko & Forrest Kinney, published by The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
"Creating is not performing, but exploring. To create is to enjoy the adventure within this moment. It is not being concerned with how far we have traveled or how much we have accomplished, but being willing to take a new path, embrace challenges, and become a beginner all over again. As the years go by, we become more knowledgeable and skillful and impressive, but a creative person looks at the challenges ahead rather than the accomplishments behind, and is forever curious about what can be discovered in the moment unfolding itself. What we can discover in music (and ourselves) is infinite. To those who enjoy creating music, that's something quite wonderful. After all, when we are intensely enjoying a movie or book, don't we wish it would never end?"
From "Pattern Play, Book 1" by Akiko & Forrest Kinney, published by The Frederick Harris Music Co., Limited
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Music learning and the brain...When you listen to music, multiple areas of your brain become engaged and active. But when you actually play an instrument, that activity becomes more like a full-body brain workout. What’s going on? Anita Collins explains the fireworks that go off in musicians’ brains when they play, and examines some of the long-term positive effects of this mental workout.
From a course on TED Ed |
"Practice makes practice..."
Some videos and links on the topics of practice and performance.
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Jeff Nelsen - Fearless PerformanceHas your band or orchestra teacher ever asked you to play a few meaures alone during rehearsal? Have you ever gone to an auditon? Have you been asked to perform for a family gathering? If you have then chances are you've experienced a sense of fear. For some performers, both amateur and professional alike, this experience can be debilitating. In this wonderful presentation horn player Jeff Nelsen (Canadian Brass, Indiana University) offers his take on how to manage performance anxiety by replacing fear with a focus on more productive thoughts.
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Joshua Bellon messing up his first violin competition. How he was liberated by having nothing to lose. Click here to link to the article.
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Itzhak PerlmanViolinist Itahak Perlman shares his thoughts on practicing. Slooooooooooooowly!
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Technique videos
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Clarinet EmbouchureGreat video on the basics of clarinet embouchure.
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Saxophone VibratoBasics of vibrato for saxophone with practice ideas.
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Flute VibratoBasics of vibrato for flute.
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Amazing Saxophones!
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A visit to Dr. Paul Cohen and his eclectic collection.
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Bruce Abbott Music | Cape Cod | 508-896-8189 | music@bruceabbott.com