Drum Lessons in Austin, TX

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

For beginning drum set students, the program I recommend is starting with Drum Set Essentials by Peter Erskine. As skills in rudiments and basic patterns develop, I go on to materials such as Syncopation by Ted Reed (reading,coordination,technique), and Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone (technique). For piano, I go over basic theory,major and minor scales,chords and arpeggios and work in Piano For Adults by James Bastien. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Darrell worked at the primary, secondary/preparatory, and tertiary levels at some of the top-rated private schools in New York, conducting and directing since 1986.  He has been a professional producer, director, performer and private instructor/mentor in Austin, Texas since 2009. Performing since 1980, Darrell has worked with all levels of musicians, from beginners to professionals in a wide variety of genres in many facets of music production, from center stage to backstage and in the recording studio. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion Djembe

My teaching approach generally depends on who the student is, and what that student intends to accomplish. Generally, I am more of a music "coach" who teaches by teaching, and then doing. I typically use a book for the basis of reference, and then encourage the student to go beyond the notes on the page. I have a bigger passion in coaching students not to just copy another persons style or to simply learn exactly how a drum part goes. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Drums

After gaining a full schedule of students, I decided to initiate semester recitals to allow students the opportunity to perform in front of an audience. It is one of my favorite memories as an instructor! The pride on a student's face after they've demonstrated something at which they've worked so hard is the ultimate reward of teaching. After completing my teaching degree at Texas State University and accepting a full-time position, I devoted myself to my new career and no longer taught music lessons. Read More

Instruments: Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard

For my drum students I start with the well- renown "Stick Control" by George Lawrence Stone because of it's ease of learning and incredible versatility to a percussionist. For Bass and keyboard instruments I begin by getting the student playing music the first day and then gradually introduce them to the musical notation, scales, chords, and arpeggios that take musicians to the next level. For these students I write excercises on manuscript paper to teach the value in learning to write and read music. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

I was born to play drums... no kidding, as a third generation drummer in my family, I began beating on my dad's kit from the moment that I could hold a pair of sticks. My experiences in high school and college drumlines, as well as Drum Corps International provided a tremendous base of knowledge, discipline, and dedication to many years of playing live shows all over the country with hundreds of talented musicians. 37 years and 1000's of performances later, I'm excited to perform and to share what Iknow with anyone and everyone. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For beginner students I like to keep to the fundamental elements of Jazz and Rock grooves while focusing on various time signatures. Another key practice we will always be refining on are the rudiments. This will keep those chops sharp for direct accuracy and speed. For my more advanced students I conduct a learning program based off the students interests in styles and advancements,doing so keeps the student engaged in the lessons with room to grow. Read More