Drum Lessons in Clifton Heights, PA

Instruments: Drums Synthesizer Djembe

Students are encouraged to say the play of each voice independently to foster coordination independence as conscious control. My Seven Shapes system provides foundation for the commonalities and distinctions across whatever course of songs they study. For more intermediate students, we take on more challenging songs, exercise greater stick control w/ compound rudiments, and chart entire drum parts of whole songs. Intermediate and Advanced students focus on the specific motifs and skills of more distinct and challenging drumming; speed/endurance for punk/metal, groove and phrasing for hip-hop and pop 4-way independence for latin and afro-cuban, shuffle feel open/improvisational song-form for blues and jazz, Advanced students also learn odd-meter, poly-meter, polyrhythms and ostinato from both traditional African/Indian musics and contemporary progressive examples. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I aim to make the student not feel judged. This creates an optimal learning experience, for Ifirmly believe that in order fortrue progress to be obtained, the student willmust notbe afraid to make mistakes. The correction of the mistake is the moment where the student learns exactly how something should be played, since there is somethingto compare it to.It is important that a student go through a stage of experimentation in order to intuitively arriveat an understanding of a concept. Read More

Instruments: Drums

Whatever I am teaching someone, I aim to present the material in the most interesting/fun way possible. I teach with authentic enthusiasm because of the joy that teaching provides. I am pretty easy going when it comes to teaching because it conveys patient, positive vibes. I don't want my to students to be afraid to make mistakes; something that happens when you take a strict, authoritarian approach. Rather, I prefer to covet a positive, free, fun learning environment. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion

In addition to drum set, I also teach djembe (West African), bodhran (Celtic), doumbek (Middle Eastern) and conga (Afro-Cuban). My favorite thing about teaching is watching students develop into creative musicians and finding their own voice. My playing and teaching has always been based in tradition, but not bound by it. I have found that keeping a relaxed, fun atmosphere during lessons allows students to learn at their own pace. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

With all my students, I will always take interest in what they want to learn. I want to make their experience as fun as mine was when I first began. So knowing my students' musical inclinations is important to my methods, because it gives me a direction in which to apply my instruction. My younger students will start with the basic rhythm rudiments and reading notated percussion music. I am also willing to assist them in any repertoire that students are given in their school's music program. Read More

Instruments: Drums

Since the age of 12, the study and performance of music has been a driving force in my life. As such I have developed to spend the better part of the last 28 years recording and performing as a drummer. I am most experienced in the rock, hard rock and metal genres but consistently study and develop a variety of basic to advanced drum set patterns, techniques and fills. These additional styles include Bossa Nova, Brazilian Samba, Afro-Cuban, Funk and Blues. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginners I like to use books and a few easy songs to get the student started. As skill level grows, I try to encourage students to form their own chord progressions as well as using songs that I choose or a song the students chooses that will encourage them to play and learn more songs on their own. I also encourage intermediate level students to explore their imaginations and create their own songs. Read More