Drum Lessons in Elkins Park, PA

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

I am a driven musician and open-minded teacher who wants to create a positive musical experience for my students. I graduated the University of the Arts in 2013 with a degree in Jazz Performance for the drums. My talents have taken me all over the country, most recently with my band ILL DOOTS. With them, we have accomplished two East coast tours. My experience also spans around Philadelphia, where I have played with a number of groups and artists. 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: Piano Drums Bass Guitar Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard

I begin with building a strong foundation with the basics; -counting -internalizing the tempo with your feet -isolating limbs -basic grooves We then graduate to novice material; -performing songs with hits and breaks and form -reading lead sheets and counting -internalizing tempo with grooves -3/4 meter -blues/shuffle/swing patterns For intermediate; - we learn 4-way coordination -review reading skills from books such as stick control, syncopation and and 23 drum rudiment etudes -we will learn three camps -we will work on advance songs with hits and develop comping and soloing Advanced; -we will learn the rudiments ritual -we will learn to ready drum sheet music - we will learn jazz Melodies and common improvisation for jazz and Rb shows -we will learn odd time meters, metric modulation and imposition - we learn advanced grooves from different regions Read More

Instruments: Drums

Ever since I began studying drum set and percussion 9 years ago, I have been eager to share my knowledge with others and have offered lessons. In the past couple years I have had the opportunity to substitute teach and Ambler Music. Through this program I have thought all ages and levels,3-30, beginners to advanced. Throughout all these lessons I always stress scheduled practice. These are the students that do the best. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My teaching methods vary depending on the student and what skills and weaknesses they might have. There are many methods I use, but I will not name them all for time sake and just name a few. Students in schools playing in concert band i will start them with some fundamental rudiment books such as "Stick Control" and "150 Solo Rudimental Solos". Students who come to me that want to learn Jazz, I start them with the" Allan Dawson Method". Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Djembe

For all students, I start off with the basic fundamentals. Proper setup, posture, stick position, and technique. I then will hand write some examples and assess the student. From there I usually will use Alfred's Beginning Drum Set Method. Once the student has a grasp on that, I will focus on rudimental drumming and snare rhythms to accompany the drum fill portion of the Alfred's book. From there we move into more advanced books that include jazz drumming and complex rock beats as well as learning popular songs of the student's choice. Read More

Instruments: Drums Latin Percussion

I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all curriculum; all my lesson plans are customized to each individual student. Technique is very important, but no more so than being able to apply it in a musical way. My goal is to get the student up and running on their instrument quickly, applying tools and techniques from each lesson. I have found this approach makes lessons informative, interesting and fun! Read More