Drum Lessons in Gladeville, TN

Instruments: Piano Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

I want my students to be successful. I will give them to tools to need to learn to language of music. I will direct them to the materials to help them with that goal. When I was a kid I remember walking out of teacher's studio feeling like a stronger drummer than I did the previous week. I want my students to have that same feeling of accomplishment. I acknowledge students' growth and realize that everyone moves at their own pace. Read More

Instruments: Drums

With beginners, I focus on the fundamentals like working out of George L. Stone's 'Stick Control' and introducing rudiments while focusing on overall technique. I also work out of a book called 'A Funky Primer', which is a drum set book that has hundreds of different beat combinations. Depending on how the student progresses and what their overall goals are, I eventually begin to introduce difference genres and styles and more complex and challenging approaches to the drum set. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

“Russ is one of the absolute best students I have ever had in my long teaching career at Berklee College of Music. Russ is very talented, smart, highly disciplined and open minded as a musician. Having Russ as a teacher will be an experience where the student will receive an effective, focused, and open minded approach to the students individual musical needs and interests.” -Dave Weigert, Drum Instructor, Berklee College of Music. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Music Djembe

Playing with other musicians and performing is my favorite thing to do in the whole world and I have been doing it professionally since 2012. I graduated Magnum Cum Laude from Slippery Rock University in 2018 and then was hired by Princess Cruises. I traveled the world performing every night for a year until 2019 pandemic and just recently moved to Nashville, TN. In addition to collegiate education, I have extensively studied Brazilian percussion, Irish Bodhran, and Cuban percussion by taking private lessons with masters in each field. Read More

Instruments: Voice Drums

My teaching style has a lot to do on the student's needs and wants for they own playing. Giving a student a concept and watching it unfold in front of you is what gives me the fuel to keep fueling the student. Independency during lessons helps the student learn what works for them instead of me pushing it at them. During their own practice, I won't be there to address every mistake. Read More

Instruments: Drums

My methods vary depending on the level of the student. I heavily emphasize fundamentals with beginning students, and I try and make them understand the importance of the essectial rudiments and hand coordination before moving on to the drum set. With intermediate and advanced students I emphasize drum set, while still practicing the fundamentals. I hope to teach more advanced students to learn the confidence and skill to play with a band and learn how to approach songs from a musical, rather than simply technical, point of view. Read More

Instruments: Drums Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion Djembe

We will use our first lesson together to see where your skill level is and if you read music. We will talk about your goals and how you intend to apply your developed skills. GOALS will be set and reviewed. PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE!! If you don't intend to practice a minimum of one hour a day to hone your skills, please don't waste our time and your hard earned money! Read More