saxophone lessons - big band workshops - workshops on improvisation

Saxophone teacher at the jazz and pop department at State Music School of Reinickendorf
(north-western district of Berlin) and private lessons.

General information

My philosophy as a teacher is based on the respect towards everyone wanting to become a better
instrumentalist and/or improviser. According to what you know and what you don´t know, I will try
to provide the necessary material to make you advance in a structurized way in just the musical
aspects you are intested in. Whenever possible I use play-alongs which surely cannot substitute a real band, but can simulate one. In my private studio there is the possibility to record our playing and to take the recordings home on CD.
I speak english. Hablo español.

Feedbacks on my teaching:

  • Marah (10): I play the saxophone for a year now and my teacher is very pacient and sensitive. When nothing seems to work and the notes start to squeek, he uses to encourage me to try again, and so I won't give up. Actually, he has allowed me to play a theme of my favourite movie "Harry Potter".
  • Mandy, (17): I do appreciate Dietrich's way of teaching a lot, because he knows how to teach me what I need in a way that I do understand. While on my way to the sax-lessons I often feel stressed by everyday problems, normally I feel a lot more relaxed afterwards.
  • Achim, (33): Dietrich analizes quickly the good and the bad sides of my playing and shows me - with lots of pacience and fun - how to work on certain aspects and achieve better results. The possibility to record during the lessons and to discuss our playing is very helpful. After one year of being his student my playing has increased decisively.
  • Reinhard (61): Among the saxophone teachers I have known up to now, Dietrich is the one who knows best how to deal with my personal characteristics. He is very pacient, a skillful teacher and never arrogant. He never pushes me, the fun of playing is always prevalent. He gives me the feeling of being a friend more than a "client" paying for some service. It is very improtant to me that he teaches clarinet and musical theory as well. I never feel discriminated against because of my age, although I am playing just for fun and I don't have any professional ambitions. I enjoy the weekly lessons a lot, which have become part of my life.

Big band workshops:

Leader of the "Crocodile Princess Jazz Orchestra", big band of the Music School of the Berlin district Steglitz-Zehlendorf and und private big band workshops, e.g. with Great Danes Big Band and Byens Big Band (both Copenhagen/DK):

  • Weekend-workshops for rehearsing my original compositions and the band repertory given.
  • Coaching of the whole band concentrating on rhythms, articulation and blending.
  • Leading the band at Concerts
  • Playing as a guest soloist

Feedback from Torben Buus Larsen of Byens Big Band:

"Dietrich is a very inspiring arranger and his fine compo-sitions were a great challenge to the band. During the rehearsals in our two day workshop he made everybody feel comfortable by showing interest and concern for each individual band-member and by his warm and kind beha-viour. He created and atmo-sphere of relaxation that made the band play at its best during the concert. His exiting latin compositions are now part of the band’s repertoire. It would be great to work with Dietrich again!"

          NEW: Open workshop on jazz improvisation on saturday afternoons

          ...in Tempelhof, Ringbahnstr., U+S Tempelhof, participation due to prior call or mail.
          The workshop will take place, if three participants come together. Each participant pays € 15,-
          for 90 minutes. We will improvise accompanied by play-alongs in jazz, latin and pop styles. If participants wish, I will give comments and help for more interesting improvisations.