Drum Lessons in Ayer, MA

Instruments: Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

With students of any age, I consider it my number one priority to create a learning environment that is both encouraging of their growth and passion for music, and supportive/safe for them to take the risks and meet the challenges necessary for that growth. I always work to maintain a dialogue with students about their interests and ensuring that our work includes and stimulates those interests, while also finding ways to make our work on fundamental techniques and building blocks as engaging and fun as possible. Read More

Instruments: Drums Conga Latin Percussion

I remember sitting there with these older musicians, lost in the feeling and movement of the music as though I had transcended this plane of existence. In the following four months or so, I joined two bands and began playing live at every possible opportunity: Teen centers, town halls, art spaces, motorcycle rides, homecoming festivals, you name it. The ride that began over a decade ago continues to this day, and the roller coaster just seems to be climbing higher and higher all the time. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

A class once or twice a week is beneficial I believe for keeping up the continuity of practice. We will work on first the guitar as an instrument, basic chords, chord structures, some basic scales, and over time making chord changes happen as the minds memory/muscle memory for remembering chords grows! This is crucial for making the basic song happen. I encourage my students to find a handful of songs they really enjoy and may want to learn, so that we can learn them piece by peice. Read More

Instruments: Drums

It's a well known fact that few things are as fun as playing the drums. My goal is to make the learning process as fun as actually playing. I encourage students to learn by demonstrating how even the most basic concepts function in the most complex settings. I find students have the most fun when they present me with something specific they wish to learn. By training students how to set goals, they stay inspired and motivated, which inspires and motivates me to challenge them! Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Harmonica

My methods for teaching are directly linked to the desires of the student and what they hope to achieve by learning how to play an instrument. If a student is particularly interested in songwriting and composition, I'd be more inclined to emphasize the principles or harmony, counterpoint, structure and written music, whereas if a student is more interested in becoming an instrumentalist for a band etc., I'd be more inclined to emphasize rudiments, scale exercises and a jamming mentality. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard Djembe

It really depends on needs and desires of student!  I create custom lesson plans for each student depending on their current ability level, age, and future goals. For drums -topics include: various Snare books to teach students sight reading basics while focusing on technique, transcriptions of drum grooves and solos, learning and playing along to recordings, etc.  For Piano, I combine a traditional note reading approach/music theory with the "by ear" Suzuki Method. Read More

Instruments: Voice Drums

I have been teaching vocalists and instrumentalists around the world for over 40 years. During my 27-year tenure as Assistant Chair of the Voice Department at Berklee College of Music in Boston, I instituted courses for teaching singers all styles of jazz and contemporary music. I teach technique and style interpretation to all ages and levels of proficiency. I have a positive attitude and encourage my students to practice hard to reach their goals. Read More