Drum Lessons in Blackhawk, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Conga Latin Percussion

For beginning guitar I start out with Chris Parkening: classical guitar book...learning finguring styles, rudiments, and notes. We then go into various techniques and develop song repetoire and chording and strumming styles. For beginning piano I start with level one Hal Leonard book for beg. piano and various beginning classical composers: Beethoven, Mozart, Tchakovisky, Jazz, etc. . I split this class into musicianship-learning notes and reading music, fingering and scales, and theory. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My aim is to make a solid connection with a student, one where a student arrives with some basic knowledge, innate ability and real passion for the instrument. I can then observe, and correct slight flaws in technique and touch. I can also instruct several styles of music from the many genres that I have experienced over the years. I also find myself learning while I teach, and can pick up valuable ideas from my interaction with students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Trumpet Trombone Drums Ukulele Euphonium French Horn Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I have taught music for over 10 years. I have had great success teaching Trombone, Trumpet, French Horn, Guitar and Ukulele. Many of my students have studied with me for long periods, some for over 7 years! I have also studied with many of the best teachers in Music Education today. I have worked with some of the best conductors and musicians in the world and have gained valuable insight from my experiences. Read More

Instruments: Drums

GRAMMY In The Schools Mentor, Music Director, Music Instructor Instruct and mentor high school students in music performance, music industry career guidance, direct musical performances at San Francisco State University Rusty Key Record Company Founder Responsible for music recording, production of audio projects from song writing and arranging, recording, manufacturing through promotional phases Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Organ

For beginner students who are pursing music on the tonal instruments, I typically start with learning the names of the notes on the instrument and the major scale in every key as it relates to the piano. For the bass guitar I start of with basic finger strength techniques and exercises while incorporating the major scale fingering form and Nashville numbering system for all tonal instruments. For voice, I start off by finding the range of the individual and then teaching warmup techniques while building the individuals technique through finding a song and learning how to sing along.  Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Saxophone Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Ukulele Mandolin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I always say that rhythm is more important than the notes. Play the right rhythm and the notes will come instead of playing every right note while sacrificing rhythm. I encourage students to make their mistakes loud, proud, and in rhythm so everyone has a better idea of what needs to be worked on most. I also emphasize isolating parts to practice and working backwards. Example: play the last two bars of the song until comfortable with it, now play the last 4 bars, last 6, last 8...etc., whole song. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

My teaching philosophy is student centered. I realize that every student is different in their physical or mental capabilities; that each student has different expectations with their relationship to music and with themselves; and that each student has their own strengths, insecurities, and pace of learning. Focusing on what makes each student different and unique is what guides how I teach each student. For example, I've had a handful of students with autism who had limited verbal capabilities. Read More