Drum Lessons in Countryside, IL

Instruments: Guitar Drums Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginners and intermediate drummers, I teach Hal Leonard's Drum Set Methods as well as rudiment drum pad training exercises designed to build control and confidence when stroking. Once students have learned the fundamentals and are using all four limbs to create drum patterns, I individualize my lessons for the drummer, making sure they are getting what they want out of the lessons while still staying sharp on notation, pad practice, drumming diction, etc. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion

For beginning students, I like to stress fundamentals with a twist. I encourage my students to play along with music they like to keep them interested in what they are practicing. As the student progresses, I will either compose a short solo or provide a short solo in which they can apply fundamentals to. For intermediate and more advanced students, I like to let them guide their own instruction. After coming to me with topics they'd like to learn more about, I will provide exercises, musical examples, and pieces to help them assimilate what they have learned with me, to real-world examples. Read More

Instruments: Piano Drums Keyboard

I encourage students to set their own goal, no matter the age. For youth, I desire the parents to be involved and provide encouragement in between lessons to ensure that students get the best result. I use positive reinforcement with my students as I have with my own children. I find that rewarding student with praise for accomplishing their goals helps them grow their confidence and self-esteem within their skill set. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For beginners, after we learn the basics of the instrument, I employ a repertoire-based instruction model that has students bringing their favorite songs to me. I use this repertoire to teach important concepts, all while the students learns what they want to learn. As a student transitions into intermediate drumming, I start to introduce some technical exercises that will allow the student to grow into their own style and express themselves. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

Beginner students with me, no matter what age, start by studying out of the Stick Control book which has many sticking combinations for developing strong hands. It's designed for snare drum but I convert those combinations to the drum set to make unique rhythms that exercise all four limbs. I also stress rudiments for everyone, which I apply to the drum set as well to make it fun. The other aspect of drumming I work on is independence of both hands and both feet. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Ukulele Music Keyboard Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I have loved teaching ever since I was young. Both of my parents were educators before retiring, and whether it was math or science, I’ve always enjoyed seeing the lightbulb go off in my students. I feel as a teacher, it is vital to focus first on the foundations that will later create more success, especially those that are necessary for truly understanding that instrument. Once those are established, I then focus on weaknesses, where practice and diligence become important. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My lessons typically include warm up, stretch, book work and creative playing. My various warm ups include the open closed open technique with rudiments, great hands for a life time by the Tommy Igoe, and the rudimental Ritual by the late great Alan Dawson. The books I work from are rooted in jazz and pop but can be applied to anything in-between, with repetition as the key element. Mindfulness in the musical world (being aware of how your mind and body works best with your instrument) is something all of my students will learn to love and embrace as a tool for all areas of life, not just music performance. Read More