Email Subject: RE: Mark Bunney’s Elite Instruction Distance

Saxophone Programme

Hello Kevin, Thanks for your enquiry regarding lessons with Mark Bunney,
hopefully the information below should answer all your questions. Please read
it through and get back to me at your earliest convenience. But first…

tell me, can you relate to any of these experiences.........

• Have you ever wished you had a straightforward, step-by-step approach

to achieving your dream in becoming a great saxophonist or flutist?

• Have you experienced the frustration of knowing how you’d like to sound,
but just not having a clue of how to get there?

• Ever listened to a great player and thought, how do I get from point A,
where I am, to point B, where they are? And still have a life!!

• Have you felt at a loss at where to start, or what to practice, with the
plethora of books, CDs and instruction manuals out there, each one
telling you to practice this or that?!

• Have you experienced the frustration of buying many music books,

hoping each time you’ve found the Holy Grail, only to have it join its
permanent place on the crowded dusty bookshelf after a week or two of
minimal use?!

• Have you had one or more teachers, hoping each time that they were
going to be the one to make you Kenny G?!

Or how about some of these...

• Have you struggled with staying focussed or been unable to stick with
something long enough to learn it?

• Have you found yourself practicing alone but you’re not sure if what
you’re playing is right or sounds right? Or you’ve not been sure how to
organise your practice time?

• Have you ever practiced or been told to practice scales or pieces but you
don’t know……

A) How many times you should practice it/them?

B) How long should you practice it/them?
C) How fast of slow you should be playing them?
D) Why you’re even doing them in the first place?
 Have you ever dared to think, how does playing these scales with this
boring
metronome or reading these notes relate to playing REAL music?!

• Have you ever felt somewhat aimless in your musical pursuits, not having
clear and
achievable goals for today’s practice session, or for this month, let alone
the next 5
years?

• Have you beat yourself up and told yourself any of the following: I sound
terrible, I don’t
have the talent, I’ll never be as good as such and such, I’m not gifted
enough, it’s too
hard, I don’t have the time it takes etc and as a result of such talk, been
tempted to
auction your instrument on EBay, but instead just left it to gather dust
in the back
cupboard?

• In fact, has your instrument been sitting in that cupboard, in the case,
month after month, whilst your conscience keeps badgering you,
whispering that you MUST pick it up and start again and make your
dream a reality?!

Or perhaps,

• you’re considering starting to play for the very first time and would like to
find out how to avoid all the common pitfalls and mistakes that most
people embarking on the journey of music make.

Whatever your situation or own personal

circumstances are, if you’d like to find out how
you can maximise your time, effort and
potential and take the scenic route straight to
point B, where only the select few make it, then
keep reading!

If you can relate to any of these experiences,

welcome to my world! These are just a few of
the common issues and frustrations that I have
had and seen during my 17 years of playing.
I’ve been familiar with each one and trust me
when I say, if you’ve experienced it, I know
exactly how you feel! On the one hand I have
been blessed with the unique opportunity to
become a professional saxophonist/recording
artist and during this ongoing process I was
able to find or create unique, exciting and musical ways to overcome all of
these above frustrations, more of which I’ll share later.

On the other hand I have always remained connected with these challenges at
the root level, having continuously taught many, many students of all levels
over the past 12 years. During this period as performer and teacher I have
continuously searched for the most effective methods in gaining the best
results in the shortest time. During this time I’ve found there are many issues,
musical and psychological, that prevent most people fulfilling their rightful
musical destiny but today I am excited and happy to share with you that I
have discovered, created and packaged together a truly unique approach that
addresses all of the common issues that have been hindrances to myself and
to my students. I have called this method the:

Elite Instruction Distance Saxophone Programme (EIDSP)

The Elite Instruction Distance Saxophone Programme is the first

correspondence course of its kind to systematically assist you step by step in
the journey from being a complete beginner (or wherever you’re starting) to
becoming a world-class professional saxophonist. Most would agree that a feat
of this magnitude would naturally take many, many years to accomplish and
rightly so.
However, what it has taken many professionals a lifetime to achieve, the aim
of the EIDS programme is to help you achieve these same heights in a 7-10
year period. It is the first course of its kind that combines the best of pre-
existing resources whilst incorporating many newly created materials to assist
you every step of the way as you embark on perhaps the most exhilarating,
challenging, exciting and ultimately one of the most fulfilling experiences
you’re ever likely to have! The ultimate goal is the freedom to express yourself
through music in a way that will bless and lift the hearts and souls of all who
hear the sound of your beautiful music.

Sounds incredible? It is! But with your commitment and daily effort combined
with the EIDSP it is not only possible, but a reality waiting to happen. The
purpose of this course is to hold your hand through the whole process,
connecting all the many, many links that it takes to really know the instrument
and to understand music.

The programme offers you the following:

• Monthly audio lessons in MP3 format or, if you prefer, on a CD mailed to

you, that provides you with clear audio instruction whilst also playing
each exercise with you, constantly modelling how you should sound. For
30 days you practice each exercise in your lesson, growing more
competent daily until you receive your new lesson. Each new lesson
commences on the 1st of each month.

• Sheet music, starting at beginners level, accompanies each short

exercise, so you can see what you’re hearing. Once you get going, you’ll
 quickly find that reading the sheet music assists you to gravitate to what
you are hearing and amazingly what you are hearing will assists you in
reading!

• A systematic approach that takes you on a musical journey, building on a

framework of musical stepping stones that month by month takes you
from being a complete beginner to becoming an accomplished
professional within a 7-10 year timescale.

• The Elimination of all guesswork from the equation by minimising the

many variables that impact on the learning process.

• Clear and logical instructions and advice as if you were receiving one-to-
one tuition each time you practice.

• Exercises that are role modelled by your very own “practice partner” who
constantly demonstrates, challenges and sets the standard for you to
naturally gravitate towards greatness. This feature alone will enable you
to learn from the very best players!

• An automated practice regime that is designed to last for the daily

allotment of time that you have chosen to invest in the process.

• Exercises that contain target goals, in reference to sound production,

speed and general musicality. The successful execution of all the
exercises in each month’s lesson serves as your target goal for that
month.
• Monthly instruction on how to develop a successful musical mindset. This
is crucial as one of the most common reason people fail to reach their
true potential is due to negative or incorrect thinking.

By embarking on this course you are partnering with your facilitator Mark
Bunney, who is committed to your long-term growth and success as a
musician. As part of the programme, Mark will always be on hand via phone,
email, instant messenger and where possible, in person, to assist and guide
you where necessary on this musical journey. Mark appreciates the
importance and necessity for ongoing check-in and evaluation with his
students. To ensure maximum growth and satisfaction this element is a vital
part of the programme.

How do I know if the programme is right for me?

The Concept behind the Elite Instruction Distance Saxophone

Programme

The programme assumes you are starting with an average musical ability
regardless of whether you have played an instrument before. How do we
define average? Here are some questions you can answer right now. Can you
do one or more of the following?

• hum, whistle or sing along with a tune (any tune)?

• sing Do Ray Me Fa So La Ti Do?
• Sing Happy Birthday or any nursery rhyme?
• Have you had any musical experience in your life, for example had music
lessons, sung in a choir, etc.

If you can do any of the above (and you don’t have to do any of them
perfectly), chances are you are at least of average musical ability. That’s
great! This is where I also started. Now all you need is specialised training that
will target and develop specific musical skills and this is what the EIDSP is
designed to provide for you.

However, if you honestly struggled with any of the above list, you may have a
varying degree of tone deafness. If this is the case, don’t worry. All it means is
that you need a preliminary course of tonal ear training that doesn’t involve
the instrument. In my experience it’s best not to start with the sax at this
point, until you’ve had some tone training as you would be starting with a very
shaky foundation that could lead to frustration if not addressed. If you think
you fall into this category or you are unsure, please call or email me.

Prerequisites to starting this programme

• Obviously, you need your own Saxophone! If you are a beginner, I

recommend a student model Alto Saxophone. I can help you find a
suitable instrument.

• You need to decide a realistic time commitment to this programme. Your

ability to commit time provides the foundation for your growth. Each
monthly lesson builds on the previous material so it as absolutely key for
you to be able to invest the amount of time suggested below to see
continued growth and to avoid frustration. The successful student is one
who decides on a daily allotted time and makes it a part of his or her
daily routine.

Level of Year Daily Time Commitment Necessary for

Proficiency Continued Growth ~ 6 days per week
Beginner Year 1 30 mins to an hour
Intermediates Year 2 1 to 2 hours
Advanced levels 1 Years 3 to 2 to 4 hours
to 8 10

• You will need a set location to practice. This is crucial and is often taken
for granted but a specific practice location provides the best consistency
and stability needed for you to grow.
 • As part of the tools necessary for the programme, you will need to work
in one of the following two ways:

Method 1
1. A laptop or desktop with good quality speakers so you can hear the
lesson clearly
2. Access to the Internet so you can download the MP3 lesson files from
the link I will
provide you with
3. Microsoft Word and a printer to print out the sheet music that
accompanies the audio MP3 files

If that is too technical and complicated for you, then you can choose method
2:

Method 2
1. A CD player with good speakers so you can hear the lesson clearly
2. An address where you can receive CDs and sheet music

Other things or attributes you will need:

• A music stand for your sheet music.

• A good work ethic, this will be hard work! Accept the fact, embrace it
and get used to it!
• Plenty of patience, it’s a process, don’t expect to get everything the
first day or even the first month
• Trust in the method, you have to be willing to trust the way I
recommend you proceed, even when it flies in the face of convention!
The methods I will suggest to you are ones that I currently use in my own
practice after having tried and rejected just about everything else!
• A positive attitude, we’ll develop this more in the course but your
attitude towards your development will determine how fast you grow and
how far you go.

What Can I Expect to Study in this Programme?

The first two years of the course are the core foundation; during this time, you
will build a strong musical foundation as a platform to operate from. During
these years you can expect to get detailed instruction in the following:

Fundamental Skills Brief Explanation

Intonation & Pitch Both of those words just mean we are going to help
Development you play in tune!
Tone Development We want you to have a great sound
Range Development You will learn to play in the low and high registers
whilst maintaining the above two skills
Sight Reading You will learn to read music well
Music Theory You will learn to understand how music works
Ear Training This is the most overlooked skill that all great
musicians possess. Could you imaging learning
English without your ears! That’s the equivalent of
learning music with no ear training
Technical To gain command of any instrument requires lots of
Development focused repetition, which is the key to gaining
(Scales etc) mastery. EIDSP incorporates the most efficient
method of providing this focused repetition whilst
making it fun and keeping it musical so that the end
result is that you can effortlessly play what you
enjoy

Song Development Let’s remember the big picture is MUSIC and the
vehicle for music is songs. Throughout the whole
EIDSP you will be developing a repertoire of songs
you can perform as and when desired

From year 3 onwards, as well as continuing with many of the concepts listed
above and other areas not here mentioned, you will be encouraged to develop
the path and style of playing you wish to pursue. Whether your preference is
toward, jazz, gospel, classical or another style, by studying the key role
models of particular styles you will begin to appreciate and embrace the
nuances unique to that style. We are all different and have different tastes,
styles and preferences. Music is no different and things would be pretty bland
if we all came out sounding the same!

Elite Instruction Distance Saxophone Programme Price Plan

(These prices will be fixed from 2009 to 2011)

Payment Options (please select one of the following options)

OPTI PAYMENT PLAN IN UK £’s PAYMENT PLAN IN USA $’s

ON (POUNDS) (DOLLARS)
(only for students in the UK) (for worldwide students outside the
UK)
1 £75 on a “Pay As You Go” $125 on a “Pay As You Go”
monthly basis monthly basis
(cash, cheque, bank deposit, western union, or (bank deposit, western union, or paypal only)
paypal)
2 £60 per month via Standing Order $100 per month via recurring bill
with 3 months cancellation notice payment
with 3 months cancellation notice
3 £180 per quarter (every 3 $300 per quarter (every 3
months) with 3 months months) with 3 months
cancellation notice (cash, cheque, cancellation notice (USA bank deposit,
bank deposit, western union, or paypal) western union, or paypal only)
4 £600 yearly rate, paid upfronte $1000 yearly rate, paid upfront
(12 months for the price of 10) (12 months for the price of 10)
(cash, cheque, bank deposit, western union, or (bank deposit, western union, or paypal only)
paypal)
 SPECIAL OFFERS FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2009

Make a commitment to start December 1st 2009 or January 1st 2010

and benefit from our end of year special offers, outlined below.

OPTI PAYMENT PLAN IN UK £’s PAYMENT PLAN IN USA $’s

ON (POUNDS)
(only for students in the UK)
5 £75 £65* on a “Pay As You Go”
monthly basis (cash, cheque, bank
deposit, western union, or paypal)
6 £60 £ 50* per month via
Standing Order with 3 months
cancellation notice
7 £180 £ 150* for one quarter (3
months) with 3 months
cancellation notice (cash, cheque, bank
deposit, western union, or paypal)
8 £600 £550 yearly rate, paid in
advance (12 months for the price
of 10 with an additional saving of
£50) (cash, cheque, bank deposit, western
union, or paypal)
(DOLLARS)
(for worldwide students outside the
UK)
$125 $110* 1 on a “Pay As You
Go” monthly basis (bank deposit,
western union, or paypal only)
$100 $80* per month via
recurring bill payment with 3
months cancellation notice
$300 $240* per quarter (every 3
months) with 3 months
cancellation notice (bank deposit,
western union, or paypal only)
$1000 $800* yearly rate, paid
upfront (12 months for the price of
10 with an additional saving of
$200) (bank deposit, western union, or paypal
only)

* These discounted rates are for a 3 month period only and then revert back
to the normal rate

And that’s about it in a nutshell! Please give all the information some thought
and consideration and I hope you’ll decide to partner with me and embark on
this exciting musical journey where together we will work toward your dream
of becoming a great saxophonist or flutist.

If you are ready to go, email or telephone and let me know which price option
you prefer (1 to 8) and we’ll prepare to begin on your chosen start date. If you
have any further questions don’t hesitate to ask.

With your firm commitment, consistent effort and the Elite Instruction Distance
Saxophone Programme, I am certain that you will become better than you
ever thought possible! I look forward to teaching you.

Mark Bunney
+44(0)7988 640 594
mail@markbunney.com