Drum Lessons in Berlin, MA

Instruments: Drums

My teaching style is very simple. We will begin by finding the interests of the student. Then we’ll identify what they like about the instrument and their basic knowledge. Once that is done, we’ll begin experimenting with different generes. And finally, we’ll create a plan that will allow them the chance to grow musically and fundamentally on the drums. This in total, will give myself and the student(s) the chance to see how their minds work as far as being able to give different tastes and feels of rhythm, on their instrument. Read More

Instruments: Drums Conga Latin Percussion

Although I knew from the get go that there was a certain level of intimacy between me and the drum set, the private lessons only lasted a few weeks. My five year old mind was a bit too scattered to maintain focus, although I continued to mess around on the kit sporadically over the course of the following seven years. When I returned to the drums at age twelve, the grooves and rhythms that had been developing in my subconscious took little time to translate to my limbs, and I knew from that point on that this was my thing this was something that I would never be able to get enough of. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums

I am well versed in the pop/rock genres and have taught myself through learning popular songs but even more singificantly through composition; I have written over one hundred songs as a singer-songwriter and have much to impart in this field. The skills developed in these areas (improvisation, composition, music theory) are the ones most likely to ensure an autonomically deep and everlasting connection to confident music performance and development. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Latin Percussion

My path as an educator began during my time studying history and philosphy in New Orleans, LA. I was playing live music almost six nights a week, and started helping out as an assistent at Tipitina's Sunday Workshop for young musicians. There I helped and watched the great Johnny Vidacovich teach young aspiring musicians the art of playing in an ensemble. While at Berklee College of Music I have helped teach in classrooms and clinics alongside many of the world's greatest musicians, including John Patitucci, Steve Bailey, Joanne Brackeen, Vadim Neselovsky, Carol Robbins, and Alain Mallet. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I believe that every student should learn how to read sheet music for his/her particular instrument. I think that learning basic rudiments and basic beats of various styles is beneficial to the student. That being said, I think that the lesson should be based on the student's goals. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For beginning students, I begin by introducing proper technique and the most basic rudiments, start George Lawrence Stone's Stick Control, and introduce basic rock beats. When the student has the fundamentals mastered, we'll begin working on more advanced rudiments and work from Ted Reed's Syncopation. For more advanced students, we will cover odd time signatures, latin grooves, jazz concepts, improvisation, and ways to compose grooves and fills. I encourage students of all skill levels to set goals and bring me materials they would like to learn. Read More