Drum Lessons in Divide, CO

Instruments: Drums

On the first lesson, I seek to establish long-term goals based on the interest and skill level of the player. One of the first questions I ask is, "what song do you want to learn the drum part to?" The most important thing about playing any instrument is to have fun, so I custom-tailor every lesson in order to see the most enjoyment on my students' faces as possible. While I have hundreds of pages of exercises I have written from which to pull, I will usually hold off even opening my book until I feel the student is ready to have fun with it. Read More

Instruments: Drums

I started drumming on my dad's snare drum when I was about 5. I think my folks realized I was serious, so they bought a little Woolworth's "kiddie" kit and set up drum lessons when I was about 7 and learned to read and write jazz and rock music with my instructor until I was 16. I was in junior high orchestra and jazz ensemble and then in multiple rock bands through my 20's. Read More

Instruments: Drums

As the student progresses they will be able to work on some of their own preferred songs as well. They will learn how to adapt to the needs of the song, and add what might make it better. I stress repetition, so muscle memory and speed are instinctive, and as a drummer consistent practice is imperative. For more advanced students I will assess where they are at, address any holes in learning, and adjust my instructions based on this. Read More

Instruments: Piano Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Synthesizer Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Oboe Bassoon English Horn Keyboard

I like to think I'm a laid-back kind of guy, though I can get loud and boisterous sometimes when a student figures something hard out. I wonder sometimes if I don't get more excited about a student's breakthrough than he does! My wife sometimes tells me I have no "indoor voice," lol. I don't give grades (except for my college students, because I have to), but if I did, the grade would be either "A" or "I," as in incomplete, as in do it over until it's great. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Drums Bass Guitar Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

My main philosophy is that every student is different and should be treated accordingly. The methods I use are specifically tailored to each student and can be methods that I have learned or developed myself. I start students off by asking them collect ideas about their instrument and the music they enjoy. From that point, I begin to simultaneously teach technique and musicianship in relation to their expressed interests. The key to my teaching method is that I ask difficult questions and then I give the student time to think and develop an answer. Read More