Drum Lessons in Cliffwood, NJ

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I do believe in the fundamentals of music and ultimately, no matter what you hear, learning music is not re-inventing the wheel. There is technique, reading music and understanding the basics of how the particular instrument works. I like the Essential Elements for Guitar or bass for guitarists and bassists and Alfred's Piano method books. Ted Reed's Guide to Syncopation is a good drum book. Ultimately I like to get the know the student as much as I can as soon as I can so I can help them get to what they want as soon as possible with a few laughs along the way. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Orchestral Percussion

I focus on nurturing a students natural curiosity, while helping them find the tools to pursue their own musical interests. Many of my younger students prefer to use technology to connect with music (learning how songs are recorded, and the theory behind songwriting), but I also work with more serious students to prepare for college auditions, state/regional jazz band, etc. My methods differ depending on a student's own goals, but they generally all will start with a technical exercise, an exercise designed to get the student thinking critically, and an application of the concepts we're learning. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga

I started studying and playing drum set when I was 12, helped form and perform with a swing dance band as a teenager, and went on to study as an adult with Charlie Tappan, who worked with the legendary drum teacher Henry Adler. Through the course of my career I have performed in just about every style of music. I have played in parades and processions, local childrens' theatre and school musicals, club dates, concerts, recording, and dances. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion

The first few lessons will be to gauge where the student is at technically, as well as musically. I like to cater to the needs of the student. Lessons can be as fast paced, or slow moving as the student would like. The important thing is to be comfortable with a technique before introducing new ones. Like I stated earlier, lessons will also include a historical study element. Drumming is best taught through studying the great drummers and musicians who have already mastered the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar

I typically like to start lessons with a warm up, and this is a good opportunity to see what level a student's technique is at. I immediately address anything that I see to be problematic in the student's technique, and we start working on ways to improve it as soon as possible. These can be simple exercises and when I see that my students are improving in these exercises and that their technique has gotten better, I always make sure that they also notice the difference and give them a sense of accomplishment. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Drums Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I began teaching guitar part-time about 6 years ago as a side job, on top of my then-main gig as a grocery store clerk. Slowly but surely, however, I added more and more students to my roster and was able to phase out the grocery store job, and today I teach guitar full time! There are three main components I look for in a student: passion, potential, and diligence. If a student has the passion for music, the potential to get better, and the diligence to put in the time and work, the sky is the limit! Read More

Instruments: Drums

I first like to see what music the student is into. Most of the time students who take up drums want to learn a groove from their favorite band or song. It helps get them engaged immediately and want to play. It's good to take the first couple of lessons to gauge my students pace and see how they progress. At the beggining of each lesson it's good to just warm up with some simple playing excercises and lossen them up. Read More