Composition Lessons with Chilean Jazz Composer César: Jazz, Classical and Popular Music

From 34.83 £ /h

Embark on a transformative journey into the world of musical composition, guided by the expertise of a Chilean jazz composer with a passion for creativity and innovation. These lessons are designed to help you discover and refine your unique musical voice while mastering the art of crafting compositions in jazz and popular music styles.

You’ll explore the essential elements of music creation—melody, harmony, rhythm, and structure—while delving into the rich language of jazz and the expressive possibilities of popular music. Through a blend of theory, practical exercises, and improvisation, you’ll learn to create music that speaks from the heart and resonates with your audience.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your skills, these personalized lessons are tailored to your level, goals, and aspirations. You’ll gain not only technical proficiency but also the confidence to bring your ideas to life, creating compositions that are both authentic and inspiring.

Step into the world of composition with guidance that blends professionalism, creativity, and a commitment to your artistic growth. Unleash your potential and master the tools to turn your musical dreams into reality.

Location

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At student's location :

Around Amsterdam, Netherlands

At teacher's location :

Burgemeester Hogguerstraat, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Online from Netherlands

About Me

Chilean saxophonist and composer César studied under renowned musicians Ben van Gelder and Simon Rigter in the Netherlands, as well as Esteban Núñez and Franz Mesko in Chile. After graduating with a degree in Composition in 2021 in Chile, César pursued a Master's in Jazz Saxophone at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Throughout his career, César has participated as a sideman in numerous festivals and album recordings. As a leader and co-leader, César has released three albums: Flor de Loto (featuring Joaquín Fuentes, 2022), NUBES (featuring Nicolás Vera, 2025) and Des Visages (featuring Jorge Care, 2025). In 2025 his band "César Vidal & Artikulation Band" won 2nd prize at Getxo Jazz band competition, opening for Cécile McLorin Salvant. In addition to his academic and professional accomplishments, César has cultivated strong teaching skills over eight years of experience, working as a private instructor and teaching in smaller institutions.

Education

Private music lessons since 2012.
Secondary Arts School "Salvador Allende", Chile, 2012-13.
Bachelor in Classical Composition "University of Chile", Chile, 2014-21.
Master's in Jazz Saxophone "Conservatorium van Amsterdam" 2022-24.

Experience / Qualifications

Private music teacher since 2016.
Performer since 2015.

Discography:

As a leader/co-leader.
- "NUBES" (ft. Nicolas Vera), 2025.
- "Des Visages" (ft. Jorge Care), 2025.
- "Flor de Loto" (ft. Joaquín Fuentes), 2022.

As a sideman and collaborator.
- "Chincol" (Juan Pablo Salvo), 2020 (Prize to the best "Jazz Artist" Pulsar Awards, Chile, 2021)
- "Piezas" (Jota Valderrama), 2021.
- "Despertar" (Fede Rocha trío), 2022.
- "Big Band" (Juan Pablo Salvo), 2022.
- "CODEX Big Band" (Alfredo Tauber), 2022. (Prize to the best "Jazz Artist" Pulsar Awards, Chile, 2023).
- "Latidos" (Marcelo Córdoba), 2023.
-"Musica Particular" (Nicolas Vera), 2025.

Age

Children (7-12 years old)

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Spanish

Dutch

Skills

Music composition

Jazz music

Music theory

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00)

New York

At teacher's location and via webcam

At student's home

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Saxophone Lessons with Chilean Musician César: Jazz and Popular Styles

34.83 £ /h

Unlock your potential as a saxophonist with lessons designed to elevate your skills and ignite your passion for jazz and popular music. Learn to master technique, develop your tone, and improve sight-reading while exploring the art of improvisation, interpreting jazz standards, and performing popular styles.

Whether you're refining your craft or starting your journey, these personalized lessons focus on building a solid foundation in jazz and popular music theory, harmony, and rhythm, helping you express your unique musical voice.

Perfect for saxophonists of all levels, these lessons combine structured guidance with creative exploration to inspire your sound and take your playing to the next level.

Music Theory Lessons: harmony, counterpoint, analysis, sight reading

34.83 £ /h

These music theory lessons are guided by a Chilean jazz composer with extensive experience in jazz and popular music. The focus of the classes is to provide a solid and structured understanding of the fundamental tools needed to read, analyze, and understand music in a clear and practical way.

The lessons cover core areas such as music notation and sight-reading, harmony, rhythmic concepts, formal analysis, and harmonic and melodic analysis applied to jazz and popular music. Through a combination of theoretical explanation and practical examples, students develop the ability to understand how music is constructed and how its elements interact.

The content is adapted to each student's level and background, whether they are beginners building a foundation or more advanced musicians looking to deepen their analytical skills and theoretical knowledge. Emphasis is placed on clarity, consistency, and real musical applications rather than abstract theory alone.

These lessons aim to strengthen musical understanding, improve reading and analytical skills, and provide reliable tools that support performance, composition, and improvisation.

Valeria

5.0

(1)

I am a classical and baroque bassist. Graduated from Amsterdam Conservatory (Bachelor and Master )
With more than 15 years playing my instrument and 3 years of teaching young kids and people from all ages and levels!

If you always wanted to learn the double bass is never to late to start!

Rita

5.0

(1)

Bass guitar lessons with a holistic, "all-round" character.

We will practice the lessons together and we will use your best songs for this. I believe that if you have deep emotional contact with a piece of music, the learning process will also become faster, cozier and smoother!

Our main themes:

- technique and overview of the bass (where?)
- general music theory, ear training (why?)
- creative improvisation and composition (what?)
- rhythm, tempo, phrasing and feeling (how?)

For adults and teenagers, lessons last 1 hour. For all levels from absolute beginner to conservatory level.

Nicoló

5.0

(1)

Music is the best way of communication in the world, the most international language, and an easy way of sharing. Teaching means a lot to me; it allows me to pass on beautiful things I have learnt and at the same time to improve thanks to my students' feedback. Music and musical teaching are about joy and never-ending curiosity.
My lessons are totally compiled on the student's needs, both time-wise and content-wise, and they are aimed to get quick results.
We can work out many different topics together, such as learning tunes, technique, and improvising, as well as approaching theory, reading, circular breathing, altissimo register, and multiphonics...
The lessons usually take place in my studio close by Javaplein in Amsterdam or by my house in Bos en Lommer. I work mornings and evenings as well as in the weekend. Saxophone is fun! Contact me and get a first lesson as soon as possible, I am looking forward to meeting you.

Stefano

5.0

(1)

Get ready to take charge of your own musical journey with my classes! You'll have the freedom to choose what you want to study, how you want to learn, and which approach best suits your individual style.

Together, we'll create a personalized plan that will take you step-by-step towards your designated goals, with my unwavering support every step of the way. I'll teach you a variety of singing techniques and help you discover your own unique voice. No two singers are the same, so I'll adapt to your needs and provide personalized guidance to help you surpass your goals!

Are you ready to unleash your full potential and take your singing to the next level? Join my classes today and let's get started on this exciting musical journey together!

I strongly believe that the voice is an all-powerful instrument. It converts the invisible into the visible; it transforms emotions into sounds. The voice is subject to continuous evolution. It's a beautiful instrument that offers so many possibilities in terms of expansion.

Teis

5.0

(1)

My name is Teis. I am a Danish guitarist trained in Jazz music at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and USC Thornton School of Music (Los Angeles). I have played since age 7, studied since age 13, and played professionally since age 18.

I work professionally as a band leader, composer, and side person.

After around 25 years of experience on the guitar, I can confidently say that I am equipped to share the knowledge that I have accumulated over the years.

In all honesty: I have never found myself to be particularly "talented". But I am a hard worker. I truly believe that talent is not something you are born with, but something you can develop and grow.

Together we will explore secrets and tips for a healthy guitar routine. We will improve your technique and ear training abilities with direct and fun exercises.

Whether you are just a beginner or an intermediate/advanced guitarist, we can explore the instrument and all its possibilities.

Practicing and playing with a teacher in a one-on-one situation is the most effective way to get better faster, and I advise it to all the guitar and music lovers out there.

In my guitar course, we start from where you are at and set a goal fitting to what you want to achieve. For example, our focus could be a.o.:

Fingerpicking
Soloing
Accompanying yourself
Songwriting

Two ways to go about it;

Single lesson: We go from where you are at the moment, and I help you move forward.

5 or 10 lesson bundle: I will make a detailed plan for you and we will conclude the lessons with a performance of some sort. I will help you elevate and broaden your skill set, in your preferred style, but also ear training and theory. We will build a sustainable practice routine together, and you will get access to a library of practice play-alongs and manuals, that you can use to build a solid platform as a musician!

Looking forward to hearing from you :)

Natalia

5.0

(1)

I have been a Piano teacher for many years, both to kids and adults. This is something I am very passionate about and truly enjoy.
My goal is to combine the students' interests with a program that I as a teacher find necessary to improve and develop technique and skills. I have also taught Piano to my kids, so I understand how important it is that Piano lessons are interesting and exciting.
I studied at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory and give the lessons at my studio at grand piano in Amsterdam Zuid.

Federica

5.0

(1)

Hi, I'm Federica, I am Italian, and I am a Jazz piano player and singer. I studied at the Royal Conservatory of the Hague and I just completed a master in Vocals and Piano at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. I give Jazz/Pop/Classical Piano lessons but my main goal is to try to give the student a general understanding of the music to approach every style and to have fun with music! I love to work with children, I like to teach them good values like patience, self-confidence, trust, communication, and collaboration, all through music. That's what I learn every day by studying music and that's what I would like to transfer to my students. I've been told that If you have music in your life, you can't be a bad person. I believe in it.

I offer live and online lessons:
Piano
Singing
Ear Training
Technique
Improvisation
Repertoire
Music Theory

Yuv

5.0

(1)

The lessons will delve into both the technical and musical aspects of piano playing, theory, reading music, harmony, ear training, technique, pedagogy and more. My aim is to equip students to understand different music styles, build confidence, discover their unique voice and continue their musical journey independently. As Thelonious Monk said, the piano ain’t got no wrong notes.

I'm passionate about traversing genres since I have studied both jazz and classical to a high level, making this class perfect for creative pianists and composers who want to go beyond reading music off a piece of paper. Trinity/ABRSM curriculum upto Grade 8, can also be optionally included. Teaching effective practice methods is a priority, ensuring students progress confidently and without leaning on me. Please note, I only teach in person to maintain high standards of guidance in technique. This is not possible via video conferencing. Since everyone asks: yes, I did study at Berklee College of Music as an undergraduate for some time, and I do help students out with their audition preparation for various music colleges!

Currently, my students are between 14 and 74 years old— I believe that it’s never too late or too early to begin your musical journey. I look forward to your requests and have two vacant spots remaining in my roster for Winter 2025. Book now!

Jim

5.0

(1)

Hi, my name is Jim. I'm an electronic music producer with a Master’s degree in Music from the Fontys Academy of Arts (Rockacademie) in Tilburg, Netherlands. Music has always been my way of exploring the world — through raw field recordings, synthesis, and emotional storytelling. Over the past 12 years, I’ve developed a complete, self-sufficient creative process: from concept to composition, sound design to vocal production, mixing, mastering, and live performance. I’m passionate about helping others gain those same end-to-end technical skills — so they can bring their own musical vision fully to life.

As Malvae, I’ve written, sung, recorded, produced, mixed, mastered, and performed all of my work. My music reached #17 in the Spotify Viral 50 charts in the USA, gathered millions of streams, and featured in international film productions including King of the Streets and Netflix’s Terrace House Japan. One of the most formative moments in my career was my Amazonas album project, where I traveled into the Amazon rainforest to record and manipulate natural sounds. 90% of that album was created entirely from these field recordings, reshaped through granular synthesis and advanced sound design into a cohesive sonic journey. That experience deeply shaped how I approach my music and how I teach sound design and composition.

I’ve headlined shows at iconic venues like Melkweg Amsterdam with immersive, self-built audiovisual live sets using Ableton Live, modular gear, sequencers, and Resolume for live integrated visuals. I curated my own events and performed at venues like A’dam Tower, OT301. I also teach at studios such as Wisseloord in Hilversum, guiding students through the technical and creative intersections of sound and performance.

Selected Works & Collaborations:

My EP Like Bees to a Hive began as a soundscape for fashion brand Lobomar’s collection Final Orders, Please, presented at the Amsterdam World Museum. I collaborated with South African poet Julia-Beth Harris, integrating her spoken word into a seamless, atmospheric release. From sequential Prophet 6 textures to ADX1 drum machine layers and detailed field recordings, I handled every layer, from concept through multitrack production to the final live performance in London.

My Chrysalis EP, released as a limited-edition heavyweight red vinyl, pushed that even further, combining ethereal vocals, analog grit, and unique textures to craft an emotionally rich release. I personally led every part of the project’s technical and creative execution, from arrangement and vocal production to final mixing, mastering and vinyl press preparation.

In addition to my own projects, I’ve worked as a vocal producer and mixing engineer, including on Esther Veen’s EP Before I Go, where I handled recording, complex vocal layering, creative processing, production, multivocal arrangement and final mixing to deliver a polished, high-impact sound.

About the lessons:

My sessions are fully customised to your experience level, goals and grounded in real-world music production. Whether you’re just getting started or want to deepen your technical ability, you’ll learn how to develop professional workflows and the creative independence to finish what you start.

We can explore:

- Building advanced music production workflows and creative strategies
- Recording, Composition, arrangement, and storytelling through sound
- Full-stack mixing and mastering — from bedroom setups to pro-level delivery
- Synthesis and sampling — from sound shaping basics to high-level manipulation
- Multi vocal production, vocal recording, editing, layering, FX, and creative processing techniques
- Translating your music into a compelling live set with Ableton Live
- Applying music theory practically in electronic, cinematic, and contemporary music

Lessons are available online or in-person at my studio in Amsterdam. For online students, I use high-quality real-time tools that allow us to collaborate with full-resolution audio directly from your DAW — no screen sharing limitations, just real work in real time.

My own musical path often started by blending the sounds I encountered in the world, whether from distant rainforests or my own voice , into something personal and expressive.
I found my sound that way, and I’d love to help you find yours.

(And don’t worry — we won’t have to go to the ends of the earth to do it. I’ll show you how to turn the sounds you already have into something truly your own.)

Whether you're just starting out or ready to go deeper, I look forward to helping you grow through structured, creative, and technically grounded electronic music education.

Samuel

5.0

(1)

Hello

I'm a professional bass player living in Amsterdam. I have a passion for teaching and passing on some of the knowledge that I have acquired during my studies at several schools and heard from the musicians I look up to. I've done my bachelor degree at The Royal Academy of Music in Denmark, and I finished my Masters at Conservatorium van Amsterdam in 2024.

I teach double bass, electric bass and composition.

Musically I try to be as open as I can. For me it doesn't matter if it's free jazz, traditional jazz, pop or metal as long as it feels good.

I'm a leader of my own group where we combine jazz and indie rock. we will release our debut album this fall.

I'm also a sideman in several groups.

As for composition I have experience with composing for regular jazz groups, big band, string quartet and irregular constellations such as my band with three guitars and three horns.

Some thoughts about teaching:

I believe that the most important thing when teaching is having a good relation to one another and generally just having a good time. If we don't enjoy the process we don't learn.
You should feel comfortable saying how you feel and what you want to learn/don't want to learn. With that transparency I will be able to customize the teaching and balance the curriculum so that I meet your needs while pushing you into unknown territory.

If you're reading this I'm happy that you took your time to read through it all, and hopefully we'll get to meet and talk about music!

Sofiia

5.0

(1)

Lessons are specifically tailored to the needs of each student, with a focus on their personal requests. I offer various approaches — teaching, coaching, mentoring. My lesson style ranges from diving into music theory and analysing great music works of the past, to developing a musical concept for your compositions and working on your personal style.

I am proficient in jazz arranging and composing, classical orchestration and composition, jazz and classical theory, solfege, rhythmics, as well as working within interdisciplinary fields — combining different art forms with music.

I offer a wide range of possibilities — writing your own compositions/songs; arranging for a big band (or any other ensemble); songwriting; working with strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion.
Your motivation is the limit:)

I am also working with Sibelius as a software, so I can teach you to use it.

Deniz

5.0

(1)

In this class, we use Ableton Live as a creative tool to explore music production, composition, and sound design. Whether you're a beginner or already producing, the lessons are tailored to your goals. whether that’s making beats, writing songs, or designing experimental soundscapes. You'll learn how to turn your musical ideas into finished tracks, while gaining practical knowledge of arrangement, audio effects, MIDI, sampling, and more. Theory is introduced in a simple, intuitive way to support your creativity, and improvisation is encouraged to help you find your own sound. My goal is to give you the tools—and the confidence—to create music that feels truly yours.

Simon

5.0

(1)

Have you always wanted to impress your friends and family by playing the guitar for them? You've come to the right place!

I propose that we learn your favorite pieces together over a few weeks and help you feel confident with the instrument. Whatever your level, I will be there to support you with kindness in your personal development.

Being both a self-taught guitarist and a conservatory graduate, I will be able to adapt to you so that you feel most comfortable in your learning process.

Having extensive experience with students, particularly in conservatories, they are all very happy with my teaching methods!

Noah

5.0

(1)

*Lessons are in English only!*
Hello! I'm Noah, and I'm currently pursuing my Masters in double bass at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. I'm from the United States, and I'm working towards a professional orchestra career in Europe.

It is my goal to engage with you -- the aspiring double bass player, to inspire you musically, to help you build fundamental techniques, build repertoire, prepare for auditions/competitions/recitals, and to ultimately help you become the best musician you can be.

Jessy

5.0

(1)

Hi there,

I’ve been playing guitar since I was 12 and was immediately hooked. Within a year I started playing in youth bands and projects, and during high school I moved to a music school where I began performing with bands and teaching guitar to kids as my first job. I later completed two bachelor’s degrees, the second in jazz guitar, at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam. Since then I’ve been working full time as a session guitarist, songwriter, and musical director with artists like Karsu, Alain Clark, Ruth Jacott, Jennie Lena, and many others, as well as releasing my own music as an independent artist under my stage name Jessy Hay. I’m extremely passionate about music theory, ear training, and music history, and I try to combine all of these with practical approaches to create a complete package for guitar enthusiasts.

Over the years I’ve developed many methods and seen hundreds of students grow from being stuck on the instrument to becoming full-on improvisers and composers across many genres. I love to combine the theory and improvisation I’ve learned from jazz, together with the groove and rhythm from funk and soul, the attitude from rock, and the production and songwriting skills from pop music. I’m also very interested in Middle Eastern music, for students who want to explore other scales, Maqams, and musical languages. Lessons usually start by discussing the student’s goals and current level, followed by exercises and pieces tailored to their needs. I also provide guidance on instrument setup, tone, and technique, to ensure a solid foundation. My aim is to give students a full 360° view of music: understanding the language, knowing what you’re doing, and developing your own ways of improving by becoming more familiar with both the instrument and the musical language itself.
If this sounds like something for you, I would love to hear from you.