Thomas McF

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About Thomas McF

Friendly, enthusiastic and passionate about music-making, Thomas is a firm believer that the top priority when learning an instrument is having fun! He began playing the clarinet aged seven and hasn’t looked back. Along the way, he also picked up the saxophone, which he has enjoyed playing ‘in the pit’ for several local musical theatre societies. Now based in Cambridge (studying medicine), Thomas is a key player on the music scene. Last year he was Principal Clarinet of Cambridge University Orchestra, playing in venues across the city and on tour in Poland! He also plays in a trio, “Mamedmus”, with cello and piano.

Thomas enjoys engaging with students, encouraging them to grow in confidence as musicians. He is very patient, and is able to connect with students of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, putting them at ease and enabling them to flourish. Whilst he will of course help you to master the technical skills required to play your instrument, Thomas places particular emphasis on musicality: injecting some of your personality, life and soul into your playing. Performing music is like story-telling without words, taking listeners on a journey into the unknown. Playing the right notes is one thing, but its not enough. How you play the notes, the range of sound ‘colours’ you can find, the energy and emotion you put into it can transform your playing into real music: spine-tingling, jaw-dropping, shocking music! Not only is this far more exciting to listen to, it’s a whole lot more fun to play.

Below is some more detailed information about Thomas's teaching. If you'd like to book a lesson with Thomas, click the blue button on the right!

Teaching in Clarinet, Saxophone, and Recorder
Thomas offers tuition to students (of all ages!) at the following levels:
Clarinet – from complete beginners to advanced students (grade 8+)
Saxophone – beginners to intermediate (grade 5 standard)
Recorder – beginners (grade 3 standard)

He is happy to prepare and enter students for ABRSM exams, and has experience of doing so. This can provide a useful framework to work to and give students something to aim for. However, it is by no means necessary; he is also very happy to teach students who just want to learn casually.

Thomas will work on many aspects of playing an instrument with you:
 Sound production and tone – how to use your body (diaphragm, ‘embouchure’, breathing) to...

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