During my 40+year performing career, I have also given drum lessons, both back East, where I'm from, and out here, in Colorado, including including 5 years at the local School of Rock.
I attended Berklee College of music in the 70's and was fortunate to be able to have private lessons with Alan Dawson, who was playing drums for Dave Brubeck at the time.
Having played a wide variety of musical genres with some amazing players over the years has given me a unique musical perspective, which I bring to my teaching. Whether you aspire to be, or already are, a working pro, or if you just want to play the drums, I make sure your foundation is sound.
My teaching approach is multi faceted, but all aspects of it start with the fundamentals of drumming, the rudiments. All the cool things we get to, as time goes on, are all possible because of rudiments.
That being said, I'll have a different lesson plan for each student, based on where there are at the present time, and where they hope to go with this.
I also am able to share some of my experiences at pretty much every level of the biz, things I've learned from other drummers, the mindset required to give yourself the best opportunity for success.
I offer 45 minute lessons because 30 seems too short and 60 feels too long for most, though that is not etched in stone. I charge $40 for a 45 minute lesson, but unless I have a another student following immediately, I'm not a strict clock watcher. I accept PayPal, Venmo and Zelle.
I encourage students to ask any kind of music related question, talk about drummers they like, bring in a song to work on, etc.
My favorite quote about reading music came from session superstar Hal Blaine who when asked whether he read music answered "not enough to hurt me." That is basically my philosophy, as I believe reading is important, and we will work on that, but I take that to mean if you rely solely on the chart, then you never really learn the song. Understanding how a song mechanically works, and what you need to bring to it to make it sound right is way more important than just being a good reader, in my opinion. I've worked in a handful of really good original bands over the years and I will share my approach to learning songs.
Materials needed are as follows:
A chart of the 40 Rudiments. I have a pdf I will email to students.
Books:
https://www.academia.edu/37206734/Ted_Reed_Syncopation_For_The_Modern_Drummer
https://www.amazon.com/Stick-Control-George-Lawrence-Stone/dp/1892764040
https://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Techniques-Modern-Drummer-Independence/dp/0757995403
The first two books are fine, initially.
To start off it's important to have a practice pad and sticks as so many exercises can be done this way, but there will be drumset technique, as well, for those interested.
A metronome is also required. I use the free Pro Metronome app on my phone.
For more info or specific questions, please use the Contact page on this site.
I attended Berklee College of music in the 70's and was fortunate to be able to have private lessons with Alan Dawson, who was playing drums for Dave Brubeck at the time.
Having played a wide variety of musical genres with some amazing players over the years has given me a unique musical perspective, which I bring to my teaching. Whether you aspire to be, or already are, a working pro, or if you just want to play the drums, I make sure your foundation is sound.
My teaching approach is multi faceted, but all aspects of it start with the fundamentals of drumming, the rudiments. All the cool things we get to, as time goes on, are all possible because of rudiments.
That being said, I'll have a different lesson plan for each student, based on where there are at the present time, and where they hope to go with this.
I also am able to share some of my experiences at pretty much every level of the biz, things I've learned from other drummers, the mindset required to give yourself the best opportunity for success.
I offer 45 minute lessons because 30 seems too short and 60 feels too long for most, though that is not etched in stone. I charge $40 for a 45 minute lesson, but unless I have a another student following immediately, I'm not a strict clock watcher. I accept PayPal, Venmo and Zelle.
I encourage students to ask any kind of music related question, talk about drummers they like, bring in a song to work on, etc.
My favorite quote about reading music came from session superstar Hal Blaine who when asked whether he read music answered "not enough to hurt me." That is basically my philosophy, as I believe reading is important, and we will work on that, but I take that to mean if you rely solely on the chart, then you never really learn the song. Understanding how a song mechanically works, and what you need to bring to it to make it sound right is way more important than just being a good reader, in my opinion. I've worked in a handful of really good original bands over the years and I will share my approach to learning songs.
Materials needed are as follows:
A chart of the 40 Rudiments. I have a pdf I will email to students.
Books:
https://www.academia.edu/37206734/Ted_Reed_Syncopation_For_The_Modern_Drummer
https://www.amazon.com/Stick-Control-George-Lawrence-Stone/dp/1892764040
https://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Techniques-Modern-Drummer-Independence/dp/0757995403
The first two books are fine, initially.
To start off it's important to have a practice pad and sticks as so many exercises can be done this way, but there will be drumset technique, as well, for those interested.
A metronome is also required. I use the free Pro Metronome app on my phone.
For more info or specific questions, please use the Contact page on this site.