There are many things to consider when deciding how to choose a drum teacher, but the most important factor is that both you and your child are satisfied with the teacher. Here is a list of things to look for in a drum instructor before beginning drum lessons:

Drummer1.) Teaching experience – feel free to ask your instructor how many years they have been teaching, how many students they have taught, and the age group(s) they work with the best. While we typically recommend starting drum lessons around the age of seven, a teacher who is experienced with younger children may be suitable to teach a five or six year old.

2.) Education – The best drum teachers have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in music, having studied both drum set and classical percussion. If the teacher does not have a music degree, ask who they have studied with or where they have received their musical training.

2.) Musical experience – equally important is inquiring about the teacher’s personal experience as a musician and performer. While there is a lot to be learned in the classroom, there is no substitute for the skills learned in concert settings, regardless of whether their background is classical, pop, or jazz. In having a good amount of performance experience, your instructor will have learned how to work with other musicians in a live environment. These skills are crucial in preparation for recitals, auditions, or other similar settings.

3.) Styles offered – a big red flag to look for (and one that we look for when we are hiring our instructors) is if the teacher says they only teach one particular style. It would be hard to find a drummer who was an expert in every style of playing, but he or she should know the basics for every type of musical genre: jazz, Latin, rock/pop, reggae, and classical.

4.) Sheet music – a different style of music notation is used for percussion sheet music. A good drum instructor – even one without a classical background – should have some familiarity with the notational style for drums and percussion instruments.

5.) Additional information – feel free to contact our main office for additional information about the instructor, including their resume. We can also pull up previous comments and compliments from former and present students/parents.

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