Drum Lessons in Benson, MD

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Double Bass Piccolo Oboe Bassoon Music Keyboard

Most of my experience with teaching has taken place while traveling on the road and helping individuals prepare for recording sessions. However for more than 10 years now, I've rendered my services at neighborhood schools (elementary and high school); music workshops; private homes; and local churches; working with young people as an assistant teacher, private music teacher and/ or teaching artist. The greatest lessons I have ever taught and that I believe that I can ever teach, are the importance of observation, listening, proper application and the embracing of patience while enjoying the process. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

On the first lesson, I like to help students create realistic, long-term goals for themselves. Then the student and I develop a plan to help them achieve them. Learning tools include method books, recordings of the lesson, and playing along with me. I also make solo pieces available, and encourage the student to participate in local recitals. My lessons generally follow the county public school's music curriculum and include rhythmic and melodic dictation, ear training, sightreading, theory and song form. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students, I first incorporate the fundamentals of each instrument while catering to their musical interests, along with encouraging them to take regular performance opportunities. I want students to focus on the technicalities of what they are doing, but relate it to how it relates to performance and musicality. In students analyzing what they are doing to create sounds, I am guiding musicians to be reflective in their practice and performance, which I believe is one the key characteristics of becoming a life-long performer and learner. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

That includes "found sounds", the many different objects that resonate, ring, buzz, pop, and provide some other when struck that allows for spontaneous music making. Said in another way, my teaching style is ALL ABOUT IMPROV. Improv in the teaching itself and conveying the notions of improv to the student, so even when you're reading the music that they're playing, they improving to whatever degree the situation allows. Improv means to make it your own. Read More

Instruments: Drums Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

I am recognized internationally as a master drummer/percussionist and educator and facilitator, and I'm passionate about sharing my knowledge of rhythm and drumming with my students. I have been playing drums and percussion for over 45 years with extensive experience as a teaching artist in the classroom, a performer on stage, theater, and in the recording studio. I have studied with great teachers from many traditions in both drum set and world percussion. Read More

Instruments: Drums

With beginner students of all ages, I start with the Elementary Drum Method Book by Roy Burns, Ultimate Realistic Rock Drum Method book by Carmine Appice, and the Drum Rudiment Dictionary by Jay Wanamaker. I am a fan of helping my students learn their favorite songs, and will take time to go over the songs, bar by bar. Once the first 3 books are mastered you will move up to intermediate drum techniques, and studies to assist in developing total limb independence. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Keyboard

That causes both sides of the brain to learn together. I do not rely heavily on exercises or drills, but prefer to find pieces that will musically teach the needed techniques. That being said, I do occasionally use portions of training etudes by Czerny, Isidor Philipp, and others as needed. However, I believe that technically problems and needs almost always have musical answers. Again, for percussion, I also focus on slow training, stick control, and rhythmic exercises. Read More