Fall Raye,
Fall Raye
Bands & Ensembles, Clarinet, Flute, Piano, Saxophone
Teaching Philosophy
“Firstly, I believe that musicianship is directly linked to our humanity and how we treat others, so I teach with respect and empathy as the guiding principles to becoming a better human being, therefore a better musician. I always strive to help my students discover ways to fall in love with music and approach the practice with love and care. Through this, we learn that music is a living embodiment of the Earth’s sound, as well as the human experience, and we develop the skills to approach any situation and any person with grace and understanding before judgment.
My concept emphasizes the importance of three main characteristics: developing technique, tone, and musicality, while maintaining that there are exciting ways to build the fundamentals by being creative in exploring new ways to practice material. Together, we can learn how to find ways to turn our existing knowledge on its head, creating opportunities to learn from multiple perspectives. Personalized, goal-oriented, and project-oriented lessons have been incredibly successful for my students in both their growth and enthusiasm for practice. I also believe in the importance of developing traits of an all-around great musician, such as a strong sense of time, sight-reading abilities, ear training, harmonic knowledge, and a strong sense of phrasing. My musical practice has extended to the piano and drums to gain a better understanding and foundation of all of these traits, and has led me to draw from more points of inspiration when teaching students.”
Biography
Fall Raye (they/them) is a trans/non-binary saxophonist, improviser, and composer living in Boston, MA. The trans experience in the US, interpersonal relationships, and the struggle against oppressive global systems inspire their musical work. Fall grew up in Las Vegas, NV, and began studying music at the age of 12, playing woodwinds, piano, and drums. They started playing professionally in the area at 16, eventually leaving to study at the Eastman School of Music from 2018 to 2019, then transferring to Berklee College of Music, from which they graduated in 2023. “Fall,” their self-titled debut album, was released in January of 2024. They organized a tour of the East Coast to coincide with the release, during which they played in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Rochester, and Boston. As a side person, they have appeared on multiple other albums, including Naomi Nakanishi’s Hear Me Speak, Raul Molina’s Matria, Evan Palmer’s Point of Opposition, and Paolo Peruzzi’s Songs from the Past and the Holy Spirit. Fall has received mentorship from many incredible musicians, including Terri Lyne Carrington, Kris Davis, Godwin Louis, Tony Malaby, Leo Genovese, Francisco Mela, Walter Smith III, and Miguel Zenón. Fall has also performed concerts with Miguel Zenón and Elena Pinderhughes and spent a month in Canale Monterano, Italy, performing as part of the Sounds of Freedom music residency.
Fall’s artistic vision is to create work that speaks from their own experiences as a trans person and as a person healing from their traumas, and through their interpersonal relationships, to create a listening experience where the audience can feel less alone, more seen, and in community with others. Through vulnerability in creative and improvised music, Fall aims to create a unique musical experience each time they play, explore new musical avenues, and reflect the improvisatory nature of living on Earth. Fall’s music connects to their breath, heartbeat, and nature, making every spontaneous composition a living body of sound. Fall’s work is a direct call to dismantle systems of oppression and exploitation and provides a lens through which we can envision a society where we are all truly valued and cared for.
Fall began teaching in 2017 and joined Note-worthy Experiences in March 2024.
A Bit More…
Learn more about Fall Raye in their Teacher Feature.
“We have had a wonderful experience with this service. Renee, the owner, promptly responds to any communication. Fall, our teacher, is always on time, friendly, and my teen really likes them. I highly recommend Note-worthy to anyone looking for high-quality music lessons!” - Amanda from Boston
