Drum Lessons in Granite Falls, WA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Drums

No single approach works with every student when teaching drums. There are simply too many styles and methods to choose from. But when working with beginners, I tend to focus mostly on developing a good internal sense of rhythm and good listening skills. Then if the student wishes, we may specialize in classical, jazz, rock, latin, or whatever style the student is interested in. There are many excelent published methods to choose from and I occasionally assign etudes and excersizes of my own. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion

Most of my students have never played drums before studying with me. With beginners I believe it's most important to learn a good technique for striking the drums as well as introducing the student to fundamental rhythms and musical practices. Many students want to learn to jam immediately and that's great. I suggest learning some basic reading as well as playing by memory and improvising. It is also fun and beneficial for beginners or advanced players to play drums to recorded music. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Drums Bass Guitar Harmonica

I studied music at Washington State Universityformally, then many, many years by ear on my own,along with my many teachers.. I have played with small bands, as well as bands that have had some success,. My Specialty - is teaching students the basics 1st, then how to copy your favorite artists off the CD,almost note for note. Believe me, it can be done. Youjust have to know what to listen for.. Read More

Instruments: Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Latin Percussion

For my beginning drum students, I use Mark Wessels "A Fresh Approach to the Snare Drum and Drum Set", Rod Morganstein's "drum set musician", and Mitchell Peters' "Developing Dexterity". For students that have a good grasp of the basics, I work through material that caters to their specific interests (jazz, rock, latin, West-African, orchestral/school band, or marching percussion). I also write original etudes for my students based on their needs and include a midi accompaniment to motivate students to work on their assigned material. Read More

Instruments: Drums

For beginning players, I like to start with the books "A Fresh Approach to the Snare Drum" and "A Fresh Approach to the Drum Set," both by Mark Wessels. These books do a great job of laying down the fundamentals that all drummers should learn at the outset of their education. Beyond that, what I teach depends largely on any specific path(s) the student may wish to pursue, though of course it is totally fine if the student doesn't immediately know what they would like to study beyond the basics. Read More

Instruments: Piano Trumpet Drums Conga Latin Percussion Music Keyboard

I've been a musical director of K-8th grade private school as well as substituting for local band teachers .During that time I taught children all aspects of music, as well as preparing them for recitals and competitions. I've taught students privately at my home studio for more than 20 years, many of my students have gone on to further their education at the university level. I've worked with schools in developing after school music programs that have been successful. Read More